Question for Electrician - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mpolli · #1 10-17-2009, 10:25 PM

I know the gas company is responsible for the pipes on their side of the meter, but is the electric company responsible for the wires on their side of the meter, including where the overhead wire/bracket attaches to the side of the house? (which is pulling away...)

Another question: Are there stainless conduit straps available? (2", 2 hole)

Jim H · #2 10-17-2009, 10:48 PM

As I understand it:

The utility installs and owns the overhead wires, the homeowner provides the bracket to land them on the house.

Homeowner provides the wires from the bracket down to the meter box.

Homeowner provides the meter box, utility provides the meter.

Homeowner provides the wires from the meter box to the breaker panel.

compress ignite · #3 10-17-2009, 10:55 PM

JimH,
Is correct.

Everything from the "Gooseneck" fitting inward is Yours
[including the "Gooseneck"]
You'll note the service provider sometimes makes "Pigtail" connections just outside the
"Gooseneck".

1st thing Google located on the Net:

http://www.gibsonstainless.com/stainless_straps.htm

mpolli · #4 10-17-2009, 11:28 PM

Yes, I found that Gibson site also. But I could not find anyone actually selling those. I have no doubt they can be made. Just wondering if they exist in the real world, as in through distribution of some kind, with a min qty less than 1000. I have non-metallic conduit, but now with rust stains from the straps. I know they make PVC straps. Maybe those are the only two kinds normally used, PVC and steel.

mpolli · #5 10-17-2009, 11:30 PM

Looks like I might be working on this tomorrow, if it doesn't rain...

KarTek · #6 10-18-2009, 09:18 AM

Mcmaster Carr has them in stainless. www.mcmaster.com

Hatterasguy · #7 10-18-2009, 10:16 AM

Your responsible.

Your supposed to screw that eye into a backing plate, well at least we do. Usualy a 2x6 block between the studs which they bolt through with a metal backing plate. A lot of guys just go into the plywood which doesn't work.

Hate to say it but your best option is to do that, you need to see how they did it and fix it. A lot of times you have to cut away the sheetrock inside...

mpolli · #8 10-18-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Your responsible.

Your supposed to screw that eye into a backing plate, well at least we do. Usualy a 2x6 block between the studs which they bolt through with a metal backing plate. A lot of guys just go into the plywood which doesn't work.

Hate to say it but your best option is to do that, you need to see how they did it and fix it. A lot of times you have to cut away the sheetrock inside...

Yep, they just screwed into the SIDING under the vinyl I think, it doesnt even poke through the sheathing on the inside, thus why it is pulling away. Luckily it is unfinished attic behind. Unluckily it is very poor access...and right next to a sink vent pipe...

I need to figure out some way to take the tension off it so I can replace the screw. It is just behing held by one screw now.

mpolli · #9 10-18-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

Mcmaster Carr has them in stainless. www.mcmaster.com

Yep, they had them! PN 8874T22, 5 bucks each! But I will be the envy of my neighbors... or not...

mpolli · #10 10-18-2009, 05:23 PM

So, I have more questions:

Is there some minimum cable sag they are allowed to have? A few years ago they put in a new pole, that was a little farther away , and also taller. They stretched the line at that time. It is about horizontal as it attaches to my house and goes up from there. I imagine the pulling force is quite a bit. Does that sound OK?

The length to the pole is 125 feet. I wonder if I could get them to put it underground? There is a push around here to do that because of storm damage. What would that cost?

10fords · #11 10-19-2009, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpolli

So, I have more questions:

Is there some minimum cable sag they are allowed to have? A few years ago they put in a new pole, that was a little farther away , and also taller. They stretched the line at that time. It is about horizontal as it attaches to my house and goes up from there. I imagine the pulling force is quite a bit. Does that sound OK?

The length to the pole is 125 feet. I wonder if I could get them to put it underground? There is a push around here to do that because of storm damage. What would that cost?

The utility company does not have to comply to the same code you do (NEC). I always have to smile when PG&E hooks their #4 aluminum to my 2/0 copper!! As far as putting your service underground, be careful what you wish for. In some cities any new service or service upgrade has to be underground and it can get very expensive. It depends on where your transformer is. If your local utility co. is like PG&E you will have to fork over a sizeable non refundable deposit for engineering of the underground. Then they will give you a bid for the work or you can have a private contractor do it for you which they will inspect. If I were you I would repair the service drop and call it good

BobK · #12 10-19-2009, 07:41 AM

In my case they screwed the eye bolt (screw) through the siding into a 2x4 stud in the wall. Themn the neighbors tree fell on the overhead line and it tried to pull the 2x4 through the wall! Had to open wall, repair 2x4 and put in good 2x6 cross piece for electrician to mount new eye bolt. I guess next tree will pull down the whole wall.

mpolli · #13 10-19-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobK

In my case they screwed the eye bolt (screw) through the siding into a 2x4 stud in the wall. Themn the neighbors tree fell on the overhead line and it tried to pull the 2x4 through the wall! Had to open wall, repair 2x4 and put in good 2x6 cross piece for electrician to mount new eye bolt. I guess next tree will pull down the whole wall.

I thought about. What if it is too strong? I can beef it up a lot but then I could have the situation you describe.

jaoneill · #14 10-19-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpolli

So, I have more questions:

Is there some minimum cable sag they are allowed to have? A few years ago they put in a new pole, that was a little farther away , and also taller. They stretched the line at that time. It is about horizontal as it attaches to my house and goes up from there. I imagine the pulling force is quite a bit. Does that sound OK?

The length to the pole is 125 feet. I wonder if I could get them to put it underground? There is a push around here to do that because of storm damage. What would that cost?

Probably too late now, but had you addressed it earlier, a good argument could have been made that the utility pulled the weatherhead (the name for the bracket you speak of) off when they installed the new pole. Your best bet at this point is to install a 2x4 across the inside of the two adjacent studs and, using ready-rod, or long enough bolts, through bolt the weatherhead with the remaining two mounting holes. It should draw back into place quite effortlessly. Just be very careful when working around that overhead. Use a fiberglass ladder and set it just short of the wire so that if it drifts to the side it will be under the hot wire, not against it.

Jim