OK, here’s my next challenge:
On the shelter I just built to cover a camper, I want to add a receptacle to one of the posts so the camper can be plugged in. In the attached picture, you can see there is a telephone pole (behind the bucket) with 3 wires running across it (two insulated 120 v and a bare neutral). This circuit (fused at 50 amps) originates at the main panel in the house and goes to the barn. I’m wondering if I can hook a new cable onto those wires with split bolt connectors and come down a post and add a 120 volt receptacle, fused at 30 amps.
Any ideas how to do that? (safely, that is!)
Thanks for any help.
Kyle
“Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they’re yours.”
Edited 8/13/2009 4:47 pm ET by KylefromKy
Edited 8/13/2009 4:48 pm ET by KylefromKy
Replies
I don't have any direct experience with this sort of thing, but clearly split bolt connectors will compromise the weather-proofness and dielectric strength of the insulated cables.
Perhaps one of the other guys knows a way...
Scott.
It's essentially what the power companies do.To answer the OP: You could probably do it, but what's legal and safe is a big question.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
Around here farmers can do anything they want! Actually, it's your overhead feed, not the power company's right??
I would mount a small circuit breaker box on the pole at eye level and below that your receptacle. ( GFCI)
From the top of the breaker box, I would run conduit up the post and put a small masthead at the top. Run the wires to the lines as you described and tape the heck out of the split bolt connections with high quality electrical tape.
Make sure your overhead wires are weather resistant.
Add grounding rods at the site and ground the boxes.
As Dan said, this is basically what the power company would do if you were adding a service there.
Don't forget drip loops at the weather head.BruceT
Heh Kyle!! Don't forget the drip loops at the weather head!!
Yes! Thanks!
"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they're yours."
Correct. It's my overhead feed, not the power company's.
Is there such a thing as a waterproof circuit breaker box? This would definitely be out in the weather.
"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they're yours."
Yes, these are very commonly used and so are the waterproof receptacle boxes.
Very cool. Thanks so much for your answers.
"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they're yours."
"Yes, these are very commonly used and so are the waterproof receptacle boxes."Correction they are not waterproof. They are weather tight.Big difference. You don't want one under water..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Have you ever installed a receptacle underwater??
Not while it is was under water.But I have one out by the lake that got under water after the lake rose..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
WSJ just had an article on 'how to', see the link.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124885874162589595.html
BBC pix: lookee all those little 'feeders'
View Image
I've seen similar pictures of the power lines in Iraq. Never got a good look at them, but I was told that similar things occurred in parts of Puerto Rico.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
>>....seen similar pictures of the power lines in Iraq. ....... similar things occurred in parts of Puerto Rico.<<
India too.
But the story I heard / pictures I saw ---- the tap lines do not go to meters -- free 'lectric 'til ya get caught.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Same in Iraq and Puerto Rico.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
Looks like the back of my TV and computer!
"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they're yours."
How the heck do you get that trailer in and out of the shelter with all those crossmembers and guy wires in the way? :)
Actually, the camper is retired, as is my Mom who will come and visit for weeks at a time and stay in it. The camper was parked there first, and the shelter built around it. When the day comes that we no longer need the camper, we'll undo a couple pieces of wood and cables and move it outta there, and convert the shelter into a workshop of some sort.
"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they're yours."
Hire a real electrician, pull a permit, and get that aluminum ladder AWAY from the power lines.
>>>Hire a real electrician, pull a permit, and get that aluminum ladder AWAY from the power lines.Yeah, that's what I would do...and I've pulled many electrical permits. There are too many unusual factors here. I agree with Dan that the POCO does this all the time, but the dielectric strength of their insulators is based on bare conductors. Kyle's conductors are insulated, but this is about to be compromised. The post insulators may not like this. Good luck Kyle; let us know how it turns out.Scott.
The power's off to that circuit.
"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they're yours."
Scott brings up a good point. Assuming your overhead service wire was run by an electrician it is likely #6 wire with type THW, THW-2, THWN, THWN-2, or TW insulation. All are suitable for dry and wet locations like your overhead service.
If you add split bolt connecctors to a stripped area of your wire you should stagger them 8" to 12" apart horizontally and use insulated Tee sleeves to cover the splices. Just taping the split bolts can work if you know how to do a proper exterior tape joint (involves 3 different types on tape) you should not rely on it to last over the long haul. Failure of a taped joint ussually occurs when moisture gets in and causes wire corrosion which increases resistance,builds up heat causing bolts to lossen, and then arcing that burns the conductors. It may take years for all that to happen, but it will happen in a mis-taped joint. Better to leave it exposed than tape it wrong, or just buy the insulated te sleeves and follow the directions.
Thanks. I'll definitely do that!
"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they're yours."
A fellow Ky.poster. What part of the state do you live in?
One other question. Just how far is it back to the shelter from the barn?
"All he wanted was some beer. And they shot him in the face." Wilma to Two Puff Johnny on a train bound for CrazyLegs Fest.
Let's see...
About 75 feet from the main panel to the shelter, and another 20 feet to the barn, where the circuit ends.
"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they're yours."
I think I'd just trench back to the shelter with a feed. Or do an overhead deal. Way better then doing a splice job willie. Then you can have all your connections in a weather proof box and not have to worry about them anymore.
"All he wanted was some beer. And they shot him in the face." Wilma to Two Puff Johnny on a train bound for CrazyLegs Fest.
http://tinyurl.com/Soldier-Hard-Walk-With-Me