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txmedic3338
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New Electrical Service Drop Method?

07/15/2012 9:26 PM

On a recent trip to the coast, I noticed this method for piping drops from the utility pole to the houses.

I've never seen a "no weatherhead" install like this.

What keeps the pipe from filling with rainwater?

Because the pipe on the pole is much higher than the meter socket it runs into, it seems like the pipe would fill to the level of the meter can and then drain out the meter can.

I checked, and that's what is happening on these three drops. It's not an isolated incident, there are hundreds done this way along the coast.

If this is a new code, what is the reasoning for abandoning the drip loop and weatherhead at the pole?

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ozzb
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#1

Re: New Electrical Service Drop Method?

07/16/2012 7:29 AM

How about that after the next hurricane their just going to have to redo it anyway so why spend the extra time and money.

You sure the PVC is ran to the houses? Not just down the pole into the ground. The cable direct buried from there.

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Crabtree
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#2

Re: New Electrical Service Drop Method?

07/16/2012 2:20 PM

It doesn't look finished to me.

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txmedic3338
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#5
In reply to #2

Re: New Electrical Service Drop Method?

07/16/2012 8:50 PM

How about this for a new grounding method!!!

It's an AC electromagnet!!! Sharp eyes might notice the rod is driven through the 2" pipe...

This is ten months old... Surely something is better than this for reducing resistance between conductor and rod, and preventing scaling and early failure of the copper-clad galvanized rod

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Rorschach
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#7
In reply to #5

Re: New Electrical Service Drop Method?

07/17/2012 10:29 AM

maybe the picture is playing with my mind, but it looks like the ground rod is just kissing the side of the 2" conduit but I could be wrong. as to winding it around the ground rod, that would not appear to be very useful except as possibly a strain relief to keep the wire from getting pulled out of the ground rod clamp.

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Rorschach
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#3

Re: New Electrical Service Drop Method?

07/16/2012 3:39 PM

I would think that the cables would chafe on the cut edge of the PVC conduit as well in the wind (which never stops blowing) as well.

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txmedic3338
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#4
In reply to #3

Re: New Electrical Service Drop Method?

07/16/2012 7:46 PM

Yes, the pipe runs all the way to the meter can.

Water is slowly dripping out of the meter cans - I will try to get a photo.

Hope there's no nicks on those drops!!!

It seems nutty to not have at least a bushing at the top of the pipe - I can see that THHN getting ground through in no time - even if the end of that pipe is polished smooth it's still plastic on plastic and over time in the wind... it just seems like a dumb idea to save 14 dollars by not putting on a weatherhead. That's why I was looking for a good reason to avoid a weatherhead. Other than cost, so far I don't think anyone has come up with a good "why not" answer!

And, I've just spotted another "quirky" thing they are doing with the driven ground rods and grounding conductor. Time to post another photo. Back soon.

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Wal
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#6

Re: New Electrical Service Drop Method?

07/17/2012 3:41 AM

The weather cap omission does look like a money saving exercise. No drip loops, oh dear.

To stop them filling with water a a small hole in the drop tube at the base of the post would work. Zero cost (apart from obvious hazard) too.

Hundreds you say? You could be the whistle blower....

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aguilafede
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#8

Re: New Electrical Service Drop Method?

07/17/2012 12:23 PM

Hi! Not so rare a service entrance. I've seen the same only that ductseal is used to plug the pipe hole top.
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aguilafede (1); Crabtree (1); ozzb (1); Rorschach (2); txmedic3338 (2); Wal (1)

Previous in Forum: How to Convert Floating Neutral to Grounded Neutral in Single Phase Supply   Next in Forum: Intellipower 1.6KVA UPS Issues

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