swarga Posted February 16, 2016 Report Share Posted February 16, 2016 I inspected a house today that had an underground service with a broken coupling at the service panel. This is the third one this year. I don't know of an inexpensive way to repair this, do you? The sellers bought the home 15 months ago and told me it wasn't there when they bought the home (5 year old home) I told them it typically happens in the first year when the soil gets wet and the soil in the trench sinks. Then I did a bad thing, I asked if they had their home inspection report, they did and the inspector included a photo of the entire service panel, broken conduit and all. Here is my photo. Click to Enlarge 26.56 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted February 16, 2016 Report Share Posted February 16, 2016 I don't know of an easy way to fix it. It begins with the utility disconnecting power at the transformer. The service riser conduit is broken just below the meter box, likely because the earth supporting it has settled down a little. Its an electrical hazard because the service conductors are exposed and unprotected. Ask your electrician to fix it and to install a "slip meter riser" so it doesn't happen again. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted February 16, 2016 Report Share Posted February 16, 2016 That is why they are supposed to have a slip coupling. Sparky will likely bill a full days labor for that. It might be 2 hours work, maybe $40 in parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted February 16, 2016 Report Share Posted February 16, 2016 I usually see them break below the fitting. That's going to be a pain in the butt to fix. It'll take a while to dig that threaded bit of plastic out of there. No easy fix that I know of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 They should design/ approve something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Fernco-FPW4252CS- ... B000R7SWKG for that type of repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 Around here they: kill power to the meter at the transformer, disconnect the wire at the meter, Cut the conduit short, install a slip coupling and replacement conduit, reconnect the wires, turn on the power at the transformer, and collect a few hundred dollars. So Scott, what did they say when you pointed out that it was there when they bought it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark P Posted February 18, 2016 Report Share Posted February 18, 2016 Here is one from yesterday, the conduit comes up thru the concrete driveway. Click to Enlarge 30.7 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plummen Posted February 22, 2016 Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 That is why they are supposed to have a slip coupling. Sparky will likely bill a full days labor for that. It might be 2 hours work, maybe $40 in parts. What he said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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