[Bluesguitarist]

Im in need of help with no money right now . Im have dimming of lights and fans , I have traced this down to the 3 wires coming from my outside meter to inside panel , when this happens I can see an arc where the 3 wires comes through the hole from the out side . Do I have a bare place in one of those wires coming through ???????????????????????????????? Feel free to email me at [email protected]

 

[220/221]

I can see an arc where the 3 wires comes through the hole from the out side

GAAHHHH!!!


This is the most dangerous situation I can think of (fire wise)

You MUST take care of this.

Depending on access and if you have any slack in the cable, it could be an easy fix.

Is there a breaker or any kind of shutoff outside, on your side of the meter?

 

[Bluesguitarist]

Hello

Yes I have the main top cut off switch or I can pull the meter if I need to , do you think its a bare wire if so I can fix it .


This is the most dangerous situation I can think of (fire wise)

You MUST take care of this.

Depending on access and if you have any slack in the cable, it could be an easy fix.

Is there a breaker or any kind of shutoff outside, on your side of the meter?[/quote]

 

[Bluesguitarist]

Yes I have on my side the main cut off switch that on top of my panel or I can pull the meter If I need to . Do think a wire has a cut in it , it seems like something is touching , the service is only 4 years old .

 

[220/221]

The insulation is compromised on the wire (s) in your cable.

If you have slack somewhere you can disconnect the power, disconnect the terminations, pull some slack thru and re do the terminations.

Arcing where it enters the building is never a good thing. Lots of kindling there.

 

[Bluesguitarist]

Thanks so much

If I have enough slack , can I tape it really good , will that be ok ? Thanks again . PS: Am I better off pulling the meter or is it safe enough to turn main off above panel , does that kill everthing ??? Which would you do ???

 

[joed]

Is the main inside the house or at the meter? If it is inside the house then the meter needs to be pulled. That usually requires a call to the POCO. It can be very dangerous to pull and repalce a meter without the proper PPE.

 

[220/221]

Main breaker should kill power.

ALWAYS test first.

You will have to pull it out and inspect it carefully to determine if tape will do the trick. If the wire itself is not yet compromised, it may work.

If it has been arcing, that means the wire is compromised to some degree. The sparks are bits of wire burning off.

Fix it now.

 

[Bluesguitarist]

Thanks so much

Thanks so very much , you have helped me alot .

 

[Yoyizit]

Watch out for arc flash.

 

[Bluesguitarist]

Ok

Thanks again .

 

[WFO]

Is the main inside the house or at the meter? If it is inside the house then the meter needs to be pulled. That usually requires a call to the POCO. It can be very dangerous to pull and repalce a meter without the proper PPE.

I may have missed it, but I'm not sure this question got answered. Is there a main OUTSIDE at the meter (i.e., between the meter and the bad section of wire) or is the main in your panel where you are seeing the arcing? If it's in the same panel as the arcing, get the meter pulled.

 

[220/221]

Yes I have the main top cut off switch or I can pull the meter if I need to

I assume he understands where the power is coming from.

If not.......:jester: ....another broke musician bites the dust.

 

[kbsparky]

If the meter box is outside, and the main breaker is inside, switching off the main breaker will not disconnect power on these wires.

Anything outside is ahead of the mains, and you must call the power company to disconnect the lines at the pole to ensure it is safe.

If you have little or no experience with this aspect of electrical work, it is best to call in a professional electrician. While you think you can't afford one, what is your life worth to you??? :huh:

 

[Bluesguitarist]

I may be broke

I assume he understands where the power is coming from.

If not.......:jester: ....another broke musician bites the dust.

I may be broke but not stupid you yourself should know that without the meter plugged in its safe to work on , Or am i stupid ??

 

[joed]

There are still unfused live wires in the meter case even with the meter pulled. If you are working in the meter enclosure then you are at severe risk. Unfused mean if you short them they keep burning untill the wire from the pole or transformer on the pole burns up.

 

[busman]

I may be broke but not stupid you yourself should know that without the meter plugged in its safe to work on , Or am i stupid ??

Actually, you're making assumptions. I've seen cases of electric theft where pulling the meter does NOT kill power to the dwelling unit. You really need to know what you're doing and then test properly.

Mark

 

[220/221]

I may be broke but not stupid you yourself should know that without the meter plugged in its safe to work on , Or am i stupid ??

Never say never. ALWAYS test for power, even with the meter out.

http://www.electriciantalk.com/f12/beware-meter-can-7067/

 

[Bluesguitarist]

Thanks

Thanks so much , I got it now , thanks for letting me know this it means a lot mabey even my life , God bless .

 

[spark plug]

How to fix arcing at Service entrance

If I have enough slack , can I tape it really good , will that be ok ? Thanks again . PS: Am I better off pulling the meter or is it safe enough to turn main off above panel , does that kill everthing ??? Which would you do ???

In a Navy textbook (about Electricity) that I once read, I came across a picture of a poster, that admonished Navy recruits (I wasn't one. I just read the book) about the dangers of Electricity, with the following Phrase; "Dead Control Circuits can be Deadly"!...:yes::no::drinkon't Drink and Drive!!!