[sirsparksalot]

Would someone kindly comment on this This Old House episode in which an alleged Master Electrician was working on overhead service wires bare handed?

A lot of negative posts were made about this (AND NO DIYer should EVER DO IT THEMSELVES), but I've seen this done myself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRauyxGPU0o&feature=related

Is he really an idiot if he's a real electrician?

 

[Missouri Bound]

I've seen it done as well. Knowing the risks involved I wouldn't do it, but I know a few electricians who would. I don't think it was wise for TOH to air that clip since somebody will surely attempt it who isn't qualified or aware of the serious consequences should something go amiss. That electrician has no doubt done it several times before and is quite sure of his abilities...and good for him. And if done carefully it can be accomplished without incident. But it's not a DIY process. Most DIY activities do not have the consequence of death or fire if the DIY'er makes a mistake.

 

[Speedy Petey]

That video has been around a while.

The guy is a complete hack moron. :yes:

TOH is a freakin' JOKE!! :thumbsup:

 

[Thurman]

As the electrician stated, he was standing on a fiberglass ladder which prevented him from being a ground conductor when cutting the hot wires. He also has a pair of high voltage cutters. I believe these are in the 600 volt safe working range.

 

[Speedy Petey]

As the electrician stated, he was standing on a fiberglass ladder which prevented him from being a ground conductor when cutting the hot wires.

What is a "ground conductor"??
Please don't tell me you are of the misguided belief that voltage is seeking "ground".

He also has a pair of high voltage cutters. I believe these are in the 600 volt safe working range.

SO what??

 

[elapprentice]

I'm kinda new to the field, but it was my understanding that as long as one wire is cut at a time, and you're not giving a return path to the source, you should be okay. Of course, you have to be careful, but surely he knows what he's doing. I've worked live many a time (not on the overhead, though), and have never had a problem.

He should, I agree, have had some protection on his hands.

In my area, the POCO doesn't cut the power from the pole; it's the electrician's job to know what he's doing, I guess.

 

[junkcollector]

I seen this when it first aired on This Old House. Three things that bothered me the most- The fact that the practice he does (cutting the service and removing the meter) is not legal in many places. (I know it is commonly done in his area) In my area, the local power companies would through a fit. (The Coops are a little more forgiving) The second thing is he cuts the neutral first. Hope he flipped the main breaker off first! The third thing is that he is stealing power! Not a big deal but to show it on TV?

No PPE (at least throw on a pair of leather gloves and safety glasses!)
Bad atitude (nothing will hurt me mentality)

That guy is in for a rude awakening one day. I wonder if he handles the commercial / industrial stuff the same way.

 

[sirsparksalot]

The fact that the practice he does (cutting the service and removing the meter) is not legal in many places. (I know it is commonly done in his area) In my area, the local power companies would through a fit

It doesn't seem right to me that the power companies would get all bent out of shape. I mean the electrician has to remove the meter in order to replace the meter base, and , supposedly, he has pulled the permits.

Is it common practice that it's illegal for a qualified electrician to remove the meter? It is in my area?

 

[jamiedolan]

He also has a pair of high voltage cutters. I believe these are in the 600 volt safe working range.

Those would be the Klein Jorneyman J213-9NE. (or very similar to that model)

They would be in the 0 volt safe working range.

http://www.kleintools.com/ToolCatalog/PDFs/02_Journeyman_Series.pdf

WARNING: NOT insulated. Plastic-dipped or slip-on plastic handles are NOT intended for protection against electrical shock.

 

[Saturday Cowboy]

if you really need any proof that he is a moron. Consider the many threads on the professional forum mocking this guy.