Denray Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 This service drop is pulled across the rake edge. This is a house near me that I told the utility company about over a year ago and they had someone come by and say it was ok. Isn't it just a matter of time before the insulation gets scrapped off the conductors and it shorts out? Click to Enlarge 28.4 KB Click to Enlarge 31.36 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 It sure is, unless the insulation is already brittle and crumbling off, then you'd only need contact with a conductive material like rake flashing to get a fiery electrical flash. Only the utility fuse protects it and it's a big one, a super lag. It can vaporize quite a bit of metal before it's over. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denray Posted February 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Thanks Marc. I think I'll send an email to the utility with a photo. Strange that whoever looked at it thought it was fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Worse than that, if it wears through the roof edge, even without cutting through the insulation, they could end up with a roof leak and property damage. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 The utility company could just snap a sheath over the cable to protect it. On the other hand, the service drop really shouldn't be supported by a piece of trim. - Jim Katen, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 I've seen these totally worn through with bare metal rubbing on the shingles. I'm not advocating that's good, but it doesn't necessarily mean it all shorts and blows immediately; it'll hang around for the big surprise when all the factors line up. I'd put a sheath on it; if the power company says it "OK", they're not going to restring the drop, and the owner isn't going to install a new service riser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denray Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Thanks for the replies. Wouldn't a worn conductor plus some rain make it short to the neutral? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 One of those cables is just as likely to wear through as short out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Thanks for the replies. Wouldn't a worn conductor plus some rain make it short to the neutral? No. It wouldn't be enough current flow to blow the fuse. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 From a recent inspection: From the ground (This is a Pentax W90 zoom from the same position as the next photo) Click to Enlarge 38.68 KB Distant: Click to Enlarge 45.83 KB From the roof Click to Enlarge 32.4 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 From a recent inspection: From the ground (This is a Pentax W90 zoom from the same position as the next photo) Click to Enlarge 38.68 KB Distant: Click to Enlarge 45.83 KB From the roof Click to Enlarge 32.4 KB Dude, you know how much I enjoy pointing out another's mistake. Your logo's all f**ked up in the last photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denray Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 He just took the photo upside down, but he is missing one of the lenses to his glasses and he has no makeup on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Nah, Bain, I just flipped it to upload here. I chose to use the first one in the report instead of the last one, but flipped that last one before I uploaded it here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denray Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 I at least have my makeup on before being photographed. Click to Enlarge 47.46 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 I at least have my makeup on before being photographed. Click to Enlarge 47.46 KB Uh, not that I make it a point to look for such things, but where is Mr. Pink's yingyang? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Did you have to hit the quote button John? I didn't need to see that once, let alone in stereo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.