Electricity Travels in Loops - A Simple Explanation

Рет қаралды 91,546

Күн бұрын

A question came up from one of Dustin’s apprentices regarding the service loop at a residence. The question was (and I am paraphrasing here) “what would happen if I cut one of the service entrance conductors? Would it blow up or ??” In the latest episode of Electrician U, Dustin answers this question by explaining the loop theory of electricity.
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First, before we get started, unless you are qualified and allowed to (by the local utility) cut the service entrance conductors, PLEASE DO NOT CUT OR TOUCH THEM!! Leave this work to the professionals. Even if you are an electrician, unless you have experience with and are trained in doing it, PLEASE DO NOT CUT OR TOUCH THEM!! The potential current that is available on those conductors is massive and will result in serious injury or death if not handled properly!!
Ok, on to the lesson! In a nutshell, electricity travels in loops. Take the transformer on the pole outside your house. For the SECONDARY LOOP, on the transformer end, both wires are connected together. As those wires travel to your house, there is no current moving on them until the point where you plug something into the receptacle and close the loop on this other end! Also concerning that same said transformer, on the PRIMARY side, the same this is occurring. The wires are connected together in the transformer, and when connected together on the other end of the primary loop (at a generator or something like that) THEN current can flow on that side!
So, if you were to cut one of the secondary wires coming from the pole to your house, nothing would happen as long as it didn’t touch anything else. But if you were to cut two wires together or let the one cut wire touch something grounded or another phase, so much current would travel so fast that a fairly large explosion would happen! Even to the point of melting the WIRE ITSELF, the insulation, and anything else in its way! Therefore, we should leave this type of work to the professionals!
We hope this video has been informative and helpful regarding the cutting of the service wires and electrical loops. Please continue to follow Electrician U as we are constantly adding new content to assist our followers in their electrical careers!
#electrician #electrical #electricity #sparky life #power issues #electrical code coach

Пікірлер: 373

@0NIN7 2 жыл бұрын

as an apprentice, i think all my questions relating to electricity are "will it blow up?"

@drivehardearnhard6574 2 жыл бұрын

😂

@FishFind3000 2 жыл бұрын

Well it’s just short hand for “will things so south fast?”

@Jack_of_1_Trade 2 жыл бұрын

Try to make this go boom sometimes answers one’s questions. If current flows uninterrupted ie hot and neutral/ ground… well you get the point. 💥

@jakesully5402 2 жыл бұрын

When you introduce copper and steel to Mother Earth, you instantly turn your linesman pliers into wire strippers 🤩🤩. And all the other electricians around you will laugh because they’ve done it too !!!

@rjhornsby 2 жыл бұрын

electroboom has made an entire channel out of using electricity to blow crap up. often in his face.

@douglasboyle6544 2 жыл бұрын

"Ah ha! Teachable moment." I love it. Always remember when an apprentice/helper/new guy asks you a question that seems dumb don't just dismiss it. Remember, no matter how high-speed we are now, we too were once the apprentice/helper/new guy wanting to learn and never knew how to ask the right question.

@tonytony6912 Жыл бұрын

facts!

@jessebellino9780 Жыл бұрын

True that. A lot of guys forget where they came from.

@ChadAmI80 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for explaining that to Mr Homeowner myself. We had our main panel updated and our electrician just got up on a ladder and cut those lines going to the pole. I was in amazement that he was still alive after doing so. Now I know why :-)

@jimmaldonado-cy8hq Жыл бұрын

What kind of ladder did he use aluminum or fiberglass?

@TwoToedSloth 2 жыл бұрын

It's a really great question for the kid to ask. Those type of bigger picture questions help you understand how things work, not just how to do things. Good on you for going through the explanation with him!

@rafalszachnowicz2831 2 жыл бұрын

Good explanation. I've been an electrician for a while and I always struggle to explain non-trade folks how it is, that hooking 2 wires to the load (motor, light etc) makes current flow but hooking 2 wires together melts the wire, burn the fuse, trip the breaker or blow the transformer. I guess it's good to tell them - nothing impedences the flow of current. That doesn't explain it in easy way, but it's correct. I love it!

@mamaswamma1234 2 жыл бұрын

I believe "Impedes" is the word you're looking for.

@rafalszachnowicz2831 2 жыл бұрын

@@mamaswamma1234 thank you. You just helped some immigrant. English is my second language. I learned more than I expected.

@johnbeckwith1361 2 жыл бұрын

@@mamaswamma1234 Way to go, you helped an immigrant steal more jobs......

@FlipLoLz 2 жыл бұрын

But literally everything impedes the flow of current. This is what Ohm's Law is all about. If nothing impeded the flow of current, we'd never have to worry about having huge transmission lines.

@xslabcabxhearsex 2 жыл бұрын

I have been doing residential heating and air conditioning for 33 years.i can remember when I started doing my apprenticeship on the job sites when i had the time,I always asked the electricians questions and watched closely what they did.learned a lot

@maurod3345 2 жыл бұрын

I want to be an electrician so I always watch this guy's videos but first I have to learn English

@tonyt160 2 жыл бұрын

Its a great trade. Its given me a better life than i would of had working a regular job.

@tonyt160 2 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate your videos. Thanks for simplifying the explanation. It really helps. I pray ill become a journey man with your help and Mike Holts journeyman prep bundle. Godspeed!

@jimmaldonado-cy8hq Жыл бұрын

Your a very blessed man.

@jasonsmall5602 2 жыл бұрын

If there is a large inductive load then you could get arcing when you cut the cable. That could be seen as an "explosion."

@rupe53 2 жыл бұрын

... and that's why the video shows both the load and the meter removed. (in theory)

@realtimjimmy 2 жыл бұрын

I came here to say this, too.

@caseycooper5615 Жыл бұрын

I really liked that explanation. Even though I've been doing electrical work for over 20 years and even taught, I hadn't thought about impedence as actually slowing down the flow of current, at least not in such simple terms. The sign of a good teacher is one who can make something seem simple. I also want to note the danger of arcing and explosions has mote to do with available current and power than voltage, although higher voltage does deliver it faster. My evidence? When working on a 600 AH , 12V battery bank, I dropped a long screwdriver, and it happened to hit the positive and negative terminals. It literally vaporized in a huge explosion, and I was lucky not to be injured. Remember, that was 12V. Always respect and know what you're working on, or know you can't and have someone else do it

@MrWzeljunior 2 жыл бұрын

I just literally thought of the question yesterday! Sweet video!

@kgt9535 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dustin. I like these simple video nuggets....I miss your simple style videos. Most of them lately have leaned heavily on the "busy" CGI side. That balance in between is golden.

@abrahamsamuel9150 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. I have always asked myself this question and now have understood how this happens.

@mattbaker6587 2 жыл бұрын

Sat an read the entire video from the browsing screen. Enjoyed this one so much actually clicked it to come leave a comment. Great content!

@ws2940 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video. Always learning new stuff.

@ginobambino8596 2 жыл бұрын

Great example and thanks for making me laugh. What a gift to be able to chuckle at ourselves. Keep the good videos coming. I appreciate you.

@richardflorence3927 2 жыл бұрын

I was always taught "he who fails to laugh at himself leaves it for others to do"....

@goodolsparky9386 2 жыл бұрын

I change services about 2-3 times a week . Here in Massachusetts, a licensed electrician is allowed to cut these wires . As long as you are not touching anything around you and you never EVER cross any of the wires with one another . Well than you are perfectly safe assuming there’s nothing crazy going on ….Considering most blocks share the same transformer so if there’s a problem down the street and your hanging on to that neutral and your the news means of least resistance , your gonna be in a world of hurt . PPE is a must everyone out there who is actually a licensed individual who can perform this kind of work . Keep rolling out the content Dustin ! I’m loving it! Loyal subscriber for life . I use you to teach my apprentice and it helps me tremendously!

@donl1410 2 жыл бұрын

Your POCO must have some huge liability shoulders, allowing non power company persons to cut their drops. Just don't ask him a question on NM cable ampacity. I don't see him replying too much of his content, anyway.

@thomaskubiak7019 2 жыл бұрын

Loved the video. Definitely informational.

@mazzg1966 2 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed the laughter and not taking yourself so serious...but good message..."DON'T cut the wires"...Thanks for the video

@that1electrician 2 жыл бұрын

I couldn't help but lmfao at that drawing🤣🤣🤣🤣

@danielescobar7856 2 жыл бұрын

Clear and simple explanation congrats buddy and thanks for share

@BBTaylor007 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your videos, you are an excellent teacher and I get a lot out of your KZfaq channel! :)

@vince6829 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

@billg364 2 жыл бұрын

From our utility view here in Texas (i work for one), if anyone cuts the service or seal on the meter can, the account holder will get a bill. We will do the disconnect and reconnect at no charge. The transformer fuse is sized to protect the transformer, not the load. The available fault current could exceed 22000A although 10000A is more common. Considering .25A can kill you, it's not worth the risk.

@CurtWelch 2 жыл бұрын

I've wondered about this. So the power distribution system is always fused? But only to protect the transformers and distribution wires, not the service drop or load? Is there ever a fuse on the secondary of that last transformer or are the fusses only on the distribution lines before the transformer?

@purenupe1 2 жыл бұрын

No need to call power company in my neck of the woods for either meter removal or cutting/tie in of service drop

@petefromdewoods5157 2 жыл бұрын

But it makes purdy sparks!!😂

@billg364 2 жыл бұрын

@@CurtWelch there are some transformers with an internal fuse on the secondary side but those are being phased out in our area. When that fuse blows it requires a transformer replacement. The primary fuse protects the transformer and the main disconnect protects the customer. A short in the service drop would eventually blow the primary fuse, just not quickly as it is a time delay variety.

@mikez2370 2 жыл бұрын

Not my responsibility to protect utility company’s property ie: Seal, meter, wires etc., it’s Their responsibility. Doesn’t matter who cuts the seal , they will just replace at no charge, no way to prove who did it .

@samchapple6363 2 жыл бұрын

I think we left out ground, as in I’m standing grounded, high current and cut, loop complete, poof, or even touching lines with broken down insulation.. homeowners and aluminum ladders. If one is truly ungrounded and far enough from ground, then the video makes sense

@billbergquist4722 2 жыл бұрын

watch again, it is covered.

@tristfall1 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I was hoping he was going to get into cutting the 3rd wire (which is either called ground or neutral at that point, arguably it's both) But that's actually why you're in trouble if you are using uninsulated cutters and standing on a metal ladder, because there's arguably 3 potential loops that an American residential transformer can make: +120->gnd (and back), -120->gnd, and +120->-120. So yeah, if you're on a ladder and you have no PPE and you cut one of the 120s, you'll get a nice loop from +120 on the transformer, through the wire, through the cutters, through your hand, through your feet, down the ladder, into the ground, and back up the grounding wire on the pole in to the transformer... I think... I'm not actually 100% sure the wire in the middle of the secondary on the transformer is actually grounded on the pole... but I think it is. But it kinda doesn't matter as the other way you die is that the loop is now: +120 on pole, wire, cutters, you, ladder, ground, house grounding rod, house ground bus bonded to neutral, neutral wire, back to the pole. So... yeah, don't try this shit at home. Quick sketch theory is great, but a general rule of thumb is: If you are grounded and you touch something hot, you can soon be dead.

@samchapple6363 2 жыл бұрын

@@tristfall1 typically the ace cuts the feed while holding onto the metal drop. The point being the circuit, “loop” can be completed in a number of real life ways. I’ve known a few Sparkies 😂 and someone painting who made contact. Power company does the disconnect and reconnect here, not a electrician (Connecticut). They don’t like folks messing with their transformers

@samchapple6363 2 жыл бұрын

@@billbergquist4722 circuit.. is that like a loop? What if someone turns the breakers back on? Yeah, been there. Let’s talk about locking out, anything that can go wrong.. then there was that guy who climbed a radio tower energized only to get fried trying to leap back to ground. Did the old milk crate trick..

@rupe53 2 жыл бұрын

@@tristfall1 ... ground and neutral are one in the same above the meter, but utility companies run under different rules, not covered by NEC. This is like arguing with a train. Guess who is more likely to win?

@robertapreston4200 2 жыл бұрын

Ok... just wondering why you didn't cover the danger of a live wire hitting the ground, or if the "cutter" touched both cut ends... You are always thorough, maybe add that info in... otherwise, those not knowing seeing a wire on the ground could feel safe touching it or the metal handrail in it's path. Thx Justin

@tarrenhilborn 2 жыл бұрын

He did mention that if you cut them both and touch the ends a lot of current would instantly flow through them

@raymond3722 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info.

@letmesignup12311 2 жыл бұрын

Good video. Would like to see one on how power flows through 220 circuits vs 120 and different frequencies

@gruntpup8152 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for doing the "what if" stuff Dustin.

@deadmanswife3625 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I appreciate this. I'm trying to learn so I can make my own repairs. I spent all my money on people who sometimes can't get the job right. Not lately but at a time when everyone seemed to be falling into some serious drug problems and their priorities weren't straight. I'm not picky I don't micromanage people I don't have unreasonable expectations. The timing just wasn't right when I spent all my money. So I'm learning things myself and I'm not naturally inclined in the traditional male crafts. Yes I'm an elderly person. Thank you again 🙏

@walrus4248 2 жыл бұрын

Just make sure you turn off the power and measure it with a good meter to be sure. Then I always try to use insulated tools anyway.

@deadmanswife3625 2 жыл бұрын

@@walrus4248 🙏 Thank you for your response. ⭐

@rupe53 2 жыл бұрын

first rule of thumb.... above the meter is a job for the utility company. The only exception is possibly a new service and NOTHING is connected. Then you could work up to the weather head and have them make the final connections.... and then they install the meter.

@deadmanswife3625 2 жыл бұрын

@@rupe53 hmmmmmm Good plan. Safety 🤗

@ia2835 2 жыл бұрын

@@rupe53 for us here, the utility is responsible for the service up to the house. Service drop and everything else is on us

@paulpavilions 2 жыл бұрын

dig the hat, more videos like this! helpers get blowed up all the time, but will die trying not to let that happen

@karrickcrozier6647 2 жыл бұрын

I feel like this video should have explained the difference between current and voltage. Then emphasized that there will still be voltage on those feeders, just no current, and that there is still the possibility for electrical shock.

@kennylavay8492 2 жыл бұрын

You should be teaching electricity at a school, you probably would be making less money but your knowledge is tremendously helpful to other folks.

@Joethetooltech 2 жыл бұрын

I loved the intro (story), followed by "aHA! A teachable moment"

@saberx08 2 жыл бұрын

I love the disclaimer at the end. Right before, I was just thinking "now we're gonna get some idiot on a ladder with a pair of boltcutters saying Justin on Electrician U said I could do this... watch this!"

@jamiestarr1022 2 жыл бұрын

That actually is a great drawing, considering you did it through a phone lens while teaching and holding on your lap!!!! Also great info!!!

@alliwantedisapepsi1492 2 жыл бұрын

I know a third grader who would love to volunteer artwork for your next video. Love you brother. Thanks for the tip. Cheers.

@mattruane7979 2 жыл бұрын

Great explanation, I’m a lineman in Pennsylvania 👍

@anthonymorales6980 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, I'm going to have to draw while looking through the phone and see how it turns out. Hahaha

@georgewilliams8228 2 жыл бұрын

Something that seems to be missing so often is that the dirt under your feet can also be a path to complete the circuit. Not a good one especially in dry clay like you find here in a lot of Texas but low enough resistance to still kill you if you're part of that 240v loop. Simple test, main lug to ground rod before you bond the neutral.

@wmcomprev 2 жыл бұрын

Yep, insulated grips on the cutter, insulated gloves, & insulated footwear. Don't complete the circuit. Better to have the utility company pull the fuse loose at the pole first.

@georgewilliams8228 2 жыл бұрын

@@wmcomprev yes indeed. He touched on the proper PPE part which is always important. My comment is a bit general though. As it is a remark to a bunch of videos in the channel. It's missed on videos about the neutral and bonding, GFCIs, main service hookups, etc. The center tap at the pole is also grounded. This provides a secondary return path if stuff goes south. As long as your service neutral is intact it wont carry an appreciable amount of current though.

@wmcomprev 2 жыл бұрын

@@georgewilliams8228: Yes, I was surprised when he only showed the 2 hots. He's talked about the center tap in other videos though. I guess the main point in this video was the hots since they're the ones that will cause a problem if you short them to each other or neutral/ground. Not quite as much of a problem here lately. We haven't had much rain, so the ground isn't as conductive. Of course, "not as conductive" doesn't mean "not conductive."

@georgewilliams8228 2 жыл бұрын

@@wmcomprev The choice of washing machine kinda made me giggle talking about 240. Residential washers are 120V practically always. Warning deep weeds technical crap to follow: On that "appreciable amount" I spoke of before. Because the neutrals on both ends of a service connection are bonded to earth/ground you actually have a 2 resistor network connecting the house to the transformer. The resistances are severely disproportionate but not non-existent nor static. This means as the ground becomes more conductive, more and more return current bypasses the service entrance neutral via the neutral-ground bonding.

@georgewilliams8228 2 жыл бұрын

@LabRat Knatz Oi third times a charm, PIA replying on a phone. Indeed line to line on a split phase service like most US homes is 240 with 120 from line to ground or neutral. And if you were to become a conductor between either line leg of the loop in the video and ground you would have 120v of potential across you. In those 3 phase services for commercial and large offices you get 208 on most wYe and delta configurations. I run across this on our server racks as they are often feed at 208.

@gergimmal5312 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for explaining The primaries and secondaries most people don’t know anything before the transformer like on the actual line going to the utility is high voltage it will fry you if you go between two wires anything after that will give you a big old jolt!

@nataliashaus 2 жыл бұрын

Great tips! Thank you. If you get a second, I have a question about unplugging things and wifi controlled receptacles. My wife thinks we should start unplugging everything to conserve energy. My question, is it really worth it taking the time to unplug any and all devices to conserve energy? I have almost everything on KASA wifi wall receptacles which are scheduled to shut down as regularly as possible. In addition, all of our lamps are using WYZE bulbs which are either off on on their lowest setting depending on need. The WIZE bulbs are 60w rated, I am assuming peak. Are they still using 60w at the dimmest setting? Are these devices/receptacles in their "off" setting using significant enough energy to justify unplugging them daily. I feel like it almost defeats the purpose of having them. Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.

@db8823 2 жыл бұрын

You crack yourself up. Great

@ziggy3628 2 жыл бұрын

Dustin what is more dangerous Hot to ground/neutral or phase to phase?

@NeverMetTheGuy 2 жыл бұрын

Bro, this shit is absolutely fantastic. Great questions a bunch of us never even thought about, and presented in an understandable way... Drawn horribly, through a phone camera.

@jfarley1221 2 жыл бұрын

Hahahahaha

@charliechang9mil 2 жыл бұрын

On the same topic whats goes on with a down wire during a storm?

@Nick-bh1fy 2 жыл бұрын

I’d search up something called step potential, something that can be very dangerous if near downed power lines. Essentially the voltage difference between ur feet can be large enough to kill

@PacRimElectric 2 жыл бұрын

Good listening while I'm doing my ultrasound pole testing

@jakesteel3641 2 жыл бұрын

Dustin! I'm a hands on learner I need you to demonstrate this for me lol... Toss out theory and let's get clinical lol

@AdamS-lh2ug 2 жыл бұрын

Wouldn’t say it’s routinely done here in MN, but it is done. I’ve seen more than one overhead drop cut, and the power companies are not usually thrilled with it but we do it anyway. Like others said, we cut the tag, shut the homes main breaker off, pull the meter, and climb that extension ladder and cut and tape the wire (1 at a time, with proper gloves if your smart, or like a former master of mine did, wear maxi-flex gloves with electrical tape around the fingers and take that metal utility knife to it). Redo the overhead drop to meet code, and then strip and add Polaris lugs. Hook it back up. Then wrap a shit ton of electrical cloth tape on it (might be called friction tape, don’t quote me, I’ve only used it twice in 6 years personally), followed by an excessive beyond belief amount super 33 tape. Leave it for the power company to do what they do with it afterwards. I’ve also worked under journeymen who said their Journeyman when they where an apprentice would made them stand on a mat and grab a bus bar to prove you wouldn’t get electrocuted. I actually ask my 1st year instructor to prove this in class that your electrically insulated boots will protect you, he proceeded to put a key into the receptacle. I also heard a story of a guy who would like his finger tips and touch busses. Story goes it backfired once and he’s missing parts of a couple fingers (it IS a story, couldn’t fact check it).

@JulianIsDown 2 жыл бұрын

i was literally laughing so hard as you said about drawing while looking are your phone.

@erich1380 2 жыл бұрын

if you touch one of the hots to the utility bare neutral that would be equally bad haha. touching the two hots is alot harder to do because they are both insulated but man you gotta pay attention to the bare when you are cutting

@victorvelasquez7656 Жыл бұрын

Muchas gracias profe...!!! Un abrazo fuerte like y subscribe 😉

@popclutch_100 Жыл бұрын

Great video sir!!! I am an apprentice currently as a first step overhead Apprentice. Trying to do whatever to learn this information. Do you have any videos that can go in more depth on how I can be a more successful apprentice in my future career?

@gregoryfairchild2460 2 жыл бұрын

I was doing demo of a small factory in a wearhouse and at one point I was up on a lift cutting down the 480v cables. There were no equipment hooked to them so no loads. I was wearing big thick rubber gloves. I cut one strand at a time. But there was a sub panel still switched on. It blew up in my face! The cutters welded to the wire and I nearly fell off the lift, it scared me. I went down and found the sun panel and shut it off and finished the job. Why did it do this? One strand of 3, no loads, 480v.?

@mzarate909 2 жыл бұрын

Great question, ill be following your comment.

@cawbaird5711 Жыл бұрын

You had to be grounded to something otherwise as long as you cut one wire at a time and you are not touching anything else there should be no problem

@acog_quarks8753 2 жыл бұрын

Amperage isn’t there but voltage is still present right? So if you cut it, wouldn’t it find its path to ground through you? That’s what I thought would happen. It’s cool hearing you talk about this.

@Wrenchen-with-Darren 2 жыл бұрын

As a firefighter, we have cut these wires for years. Yes with Ppe . Much safer than pulling a meter. But still not the ideal situation.

@michaelmassetti3126 2 жыл бұрын

If a home owner wants to cut ✂️ em then their just lupe....and even an experienced electrican should be cautious...safty first...you need to get paid not fried. As usual excellent video. Learning alot. Thanks 😊

@fyvr8976 3 ай бұрын

It’s also worth mentioning the potential to ground. Don’t want to touch that exposed wire and the conduit at the same time or anything else that’s grounded.

@mr.clutchtastic6194 Ай бұрын

Your laughing at your own drawing killed me 😂

@firestone3217 2 жыл бұрын

2:02 - if your weather head is that big you should definitely call your electrician! 😄🤣

@workingshlub8861 2 жыл бұрын

as long as you shed the load you are fine.....i helped my friend upgrade my service years ago and i asked him the same thing.....he was licensed i was just being a gopher... he cut the old service drop no problem....that is the most dangereous part.

@xxxNAYBOBxxx 2 жыл бұрын

Even if there was a load if you cut them it wouldn't do anything. I've watched the power company do it all the time. I've also done it myself while working on live circuits. Cut your hots first. Safe off. Grounded conductor. Safe off. Grounding conductor if there is one. Have a good day. If you need to reconnect them hot reverse the order. Edit: be careful cuz there will be some sparking when reconnecting hot wires.

@krisssilco 2 жыл бұрын

Wouldn't there still be a tiny arc if there is a load running?

@xxxNAYBOBxxx 2 жыл бұрын

@@krisssilco yea but it won't blow you up. Unless you are working in a hazardous environment. He showed the mast of a dwelling not a gas plant.

@xxxNAYBOBxxx 2 жыл бұрын

Also there are small arcs in an electrical carrying equipment in general. That's why if you're working in an explosive environment you have to flood your pipes with a compound and use special explosion proof connectors and fittings.

@JesusRamirez-vt6lk 28 күн бұрын

@@krisssilco yes That is why you shut off your panel

@JesusRamirez-vt6lk 28 күн бұрын

what if you use polaris taps? will there still be and arc?

@Jack_of_1_Trade 2 жыл бұрын

Last Friday night. A girl “high as a kite” t-Bones the 45ft utility pole. In front of my house. Snaps it and it drags the 1 other pole down. The anchor snaps out and flys across the street. My service was pulled off the side of the house. My pole was pulled live and scorched my sidewalk. Transformer arch’s 2x then shuts off. Thx to PSEG Linemen they fixed her mess…and I will be upgrading my service. 🤷‍♂️

@patrickg7569 2 жыл бұрын

I watched a video some time back where a guy replaces a service entrance cable on a fiberglass ladder. He didn’t explain that clearly. Thanks

@a..d5518 2 жыл бұрын

don't look at the phone, and you can look at your drawing😁, and see the phone in your peripheral vision... good lesson though! Thanks Dusty!! QUESTION: Is the Wago connector is approved for use inside a panel box? They should be, after all the panel is just a big electrical box. I have replaced several breakers with the GFI and GFI/AFI breakers with the neutral pigtail that are always too short to reach the grounding bus bar so I added a section of wire using Wagos.

@electricianslife1984 Жыл бұрын

As bad as that drawling was, I still understood it…. Thank you for your time

@HonorPrideRespect 2 жыл бұрын

One of those wires melted at my uncle's house, they upgraded panel and added circuits but didn't upgrade meter and service wires.

@sf6213 2 жыл бұрын

Electron always want to go back to its source, So, How the solar power go to the grid? Could you talk about how solar works?

@ecospider5 2 жыл бұрын

I would like to see this again with the ground and neutral drawn in. I would think if you cut those wires you would be grounded enough for some current to flow. And when they hit the ground current would start to flow.

@seanjohn111 2 жыл бұрын

I remember when my uncle cut the neutral first. 😂🤣 Drawing had me rolling. 😂🤣😂🤣

@sgsax 2 жыл бұрын

So we should definitely cut the service wires, got it. 😁 As usual, great explanation. I always learn something from your vids. Thanks for sharing!

@NickFrom1228 2 жыл бұрын

Heres a twist for you, and it happened at my very own house. A branch from a large fir tree fell onto the wires coming to my transformer and broke one, dropping it onto my driveway. Inside my house, what manifested was quite interesting. Now above my bed is, well was, a wall mounted light fixture with a couple bulbs pointing down, directly above our pillows. My wife and I were sitting in bed leaning up against the wall and for some reason both of us got up. Maybe it was a wind gust, I don't recall. Anyway, about 5 seconds after we get up we see a flash and the bulbs above us explode. I'm thinking "Oh crap" and run for the door to go hit the mains. Well what do you do when it's dark? You hit the light switch of course. So now the light bulb in stairwell explodes, but luckily inside the globe. I do the Homer Simpson "Doh!" and run down the stairs and kill the breaker. We had a guest staying with us so I went down and said "Mike, you ok?" He said "Man you should have seen it. The TV in your office was glowing like a poltergeist and your vcr was crackling like bacon frying. In the end I had to replace my vcr, tv, stereo tuner, relay board in the stove and who knows what else. Good times.

@timwilson3150 2 жыл бұрын

If you do cut those wires make sure you cut the neutral first so that you can fry all the electronics in your house.

@michaelc.3812 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry to point something out, but the split winding is important in that transformer. Likely a bit much for your helper, but it’s the neutral and rather important… good video, as always.

@DishitoutNetwork Жыл бұрын

@EU so, yes electricity travels in loops. While waiting 5 hours for the utility company to show , I had to demo an old x2 200A service because I already installed a 400A … we were temporarily feeding the two sub panels off of two separate weather heads, but converting to underground… here’s my question… while the lineman when he showed he was on the pole tapping over to my underground service I was at the 400A service getting everything landed… I had the triplex landed and the meter in with both disconnects off… he told me to take the meter out of the socket and disengage the bypass lever. I said both disconnect s are off and he said with the meter in I was completing the circuit and his new triplex would be live. I didn’t argue, but I’ve drawn it out twice… with disconnect off how when he taps one leg of the triplex does L2 become live … as well as disengage the bypass lever on meter socket. I’m not saying I am right just want to know how …

@pickinpalace1074 2 жыл бұрын

I don’t wanna cut those but I wanna replace the neutral with a bigger wire currently it is six gauge. Can I do so without turning power off

@MountainDewMan323 10 ай бұрын

"Let's go to the drawing board!" Aka a notepad on Dustin's crotch that he films and starts dying of laughter because of.

@electricalron 2 жыл бұрын

Any kind of "EXPLOSION" would be either a short-circuit or a ground fault. Even after the explosion the conductors will likely STILL BE LIVE because the poco doesn't provide fault protection for such a minor load like in a house. I'm not an expert in that department though.

@robert10043 2 жыл бұрын

Now if your grounded and touching the bare conductor not the insulation wont it also complete a circuit and cause energy to flow? ie dont want to have a path to ground and dont want a return path to source.

@elc2k385 2 жыл бұрын

AWESOME and so important to understand!

@jfarley1221 2 жыл бұрын

*best John Wayne voice EVER* Fiberglass is your friend when you want to cut them wires cow poke... you'll want to cut and immediately wrap them.... yup, one at a time... hots first

@stevethomas5849 2 жыл бұрын

The live and return Neutral the loop. Impedance correct term for resistance on a live circuit. Resistance for a dead circuit. Live Impedance testing is Ze external power supply company. and Zs system, the electrical installation from the Panel

@kevinbradt835 2 жыл бұрын

Electrician u question I’m thinking about buying a fully enclosed utility trailer for my lawn care business and I want to install an electrical panel and inverter with built in transfer switch and shore power connector so I’m wondering should I connect a ground wire to the trailer frame

@2dambad806 2 жыл бұрын

That last 15 seconds absolutely needed to be said by you. 👍

@mesh1248 2 жыл бұрын

Can explain how alternating current and dc current works through those loops why does alternating current need loops when it switches directions back and forth

@robertdescoteaux6149 2 жыл бұрын

Can you make a video on grounding an above ground pool and bonding the water. I cant get the reason behind this when the pump is grounded in a gfi breaker receptacle

@Bigbrunibelow 2 жыл бұрын

We cut the service line at the house all the time to do service swaps in jersey. And then cut it back in live when we are done. Then after inspections the utility gets a cut card and comes out and puts there own crimps own and cut out our splicers.

@normankujawski543 2 жыл бұрын

Same thing we did in California years ago. I retired in1995.

@IceBergGeo 2 жыл бұрын

That last little bit of footage, your Texan started to show.

@sebihanke3907 2 жыл бұрын

The Explanation was good, but i think you should have said more about the dangerous Part. There ist a potential difference and a current will flow through you, if you doesn't use insulated Equipment or you are insulated altogether and that will kill you.

@alexsotelo7176 Жыл бұрын

In that split second it takes to cut the wire going into the weather head, wouldn’t your Kleins spark or blow before the wire is fully severed?

@rjhornsby 2 жыл бұрын

To extend the question, if you cut one of the service wires coming from the pole and either dropped it onto the ground or made your body a path to ground for that one service wire, would that cause a problem? The whole ground/earth and neutral stuff - bonded here but not there etc - confuses my brain.

@VideoByPatrick Жыл бұрын

Now. Is you stupidly hold one cut wire in one hand and the other cut wire in other hand you have a loop with you as the resistor and current would flow. Right ?

@nokiot9 2 жыл бұрын

Also shouldn’t there be a pole disconnect up on that transformer? Or was that built before you had to have them? I think in my town you still don’t need them on residential. Only commercials.

@TnTBLACK95 2 жыл бұрын

You said this was old construction. So unless you're pulling the cover off the meter base you may not see multiple feeds from the meter lug. Amp clamp the service is the sure fire way to check load. Even then you should know if you're cutting energized wires or not and know what you're doing when cutting. Keeping distance between the hot leg and neutral when cutting. You could end up with a live conductor in your hand, so have a roll of plastic tape ready to cover up the ends. Determining if the transformer fuse is open, closed or blown. Realizing there is potential for neutral current without load on the service. (Not likely, but possible). Lots of traps for inexperienced persons.

@--JohnDoe 2 жыл бұрын

Other than you drew a 240v washer. You are teaching good.

@croc131 2 жыл бұрын

Doesn’t the current travel through the cutter’s body to the ground therefore making a loop?

@justinjja2 2 жыл бұрын

Not if you are using linesman pliers, still don't do it.

@Lazdinger 2 жыл бұрын

Yes my friend, this is true… *if* … the individual is electrically grounded (directly and/or indirectly) and the pliers used were *not* properly insulated. This is because electricity takes *all* available paths to return to it’s source (ie ‘making a loop’).

@carlosvargas2406 2 жыл бұрын

Ya even being a hypothetical, the hypothetical person cutting should have been mentioned to be isolated from ground.

@jake-mv5oi Жыл бұрын

So if I cut the hot wire at the weatherhead with my Kleins with the worn off insulation while standing on my aluminum ladder, will I die?

@hippo-potamus 2 жыл бұрын

So.........If swapping out main panel boxes is it ok to just swap out the live feeds so long as you dont touch them together? Or would it be better to just have the meter pulled?

@jakesully5402 2 жыл бұрын

Get the meter pulled !! Do NOT, and I repeat do NOT be stupid enough to let anyone near those lugs. One mistake and your house will burn down. People think it’s as simple as ensuring those wires don’t touch or ground out. Good luck with that, it’s far easier said than done.