Every time Zach does a project, an OSHA book explodes somewhere lol 😂

Professional electrician of 23 years I went to bed and pulled the covers over my head

Don't worry about the PCB laden oil, he dried his hands off on his sandwiches Sad note, my father in law was a power lineman for 25 years. Started right out of high school at 18. He told us all about the PCBs when he was diagnosed with cancer at 48. We buried him at 50.

This is the coolest thing I've ever seen, I'm an engineer in germany and you give me so many tales to tell my coworkers about 'how'd they do it on a texan oilfield'. Great content :D

This dude just gets shit done..like it or not. Amen brother!

I spent 35 years in the oilfield as a submersible pump tech. I would say that you can “poor boy it” with the best of them. Stay safe brother. There’s nothing more valuable than your life.

This week, I've been to two car shows, read Marcus Aurelius meditations, painted probably 12 cars, and went and saw two movies. This video has been the most entertained I've been all week.

Your perfectly executed explanation of the mental effects of that oil is the highlight of my day

As a utility worker, it absolutely blows my mind that a customer is allowed to do this. Our lineman aren’t even allowed to open up a cutout under load from the bucket, they have to do it from the ground. Crazy stuff! 😅

The t-shirt and the up-to-the-elbows in PCB oil! A man who is unafraid. 22 years at the power company and I never turned a bolt or handled a gram of coal, but I know people like this exist.... they are the heroes. God bless you.

I was a power lineman for ten years 1968-1978. When I was an apprentice, my journeyman took off his rubber glove and touched a 7200 volt live conductor (we were in a fiberglass bucket) with his bare hand just to show me it could be done. I declined his invitation to try it. Our safety man told us PCB oil was inert and wasn't a health hazard. We were told not to wear rubber gloves when using hot sticks. I was told if I couldn't free climb they didn't need me. My, my, my how times have changed!

That is a CSP , completely self protecting transformer. There are fuses in the primary bushings and the reset you were talking about is a breaker on the secondary. There are hundreds of those here in the Wasson oil field, except they are three phase. I have changed quiet of few of those fuses climbing the poles with hooks and belt. Atlantic Richfield and Gulf used to hang them just like that one is, no fuses and hot line clamps directly on the lines. This video takes me back a few years.

I could hear all the lineman scream when you grabbed the hot stick with no gloves. It's always interesting watching you work your magic!

"I don't have any safety gear with me, but let's go ahead and do this." - Epic. And, hopefully, your watch isn't sitting in transformer oil....

Long time acquaintance worked for a automotive machine shop that used to get transformer oil from the local utility for cheap, for their valve grinders and other machining equipment. This was before the hazards of PCB's were known to cause cancer and other life-threatening diseases. After working with it for years he started to develop all kinds of symptoms that was later linked to the oil. He suffered a slow and painful death, and to top it off the utility and the machine shop never paid out anything to his family. I don't think one exposure will cause you any long-term damage, I hope.

Zach I was a journeyman lineman until I destroyed a knee and couldn't climb poles anymore and worked 7200 and 14400 volts also trained to work 345K ac and 500K dc,what you were doing scared me. The insulators on the primary line are not guaranteed to be good and as long as the wood is dry you might not know they are bad until that flash before you are dead. Those fuse holders don't always drop open at my house we had a couple of microwaves burn up, a couple of TVs and other things that died because of voltage problems and the TV would just shut off and the day that the power went out and I went out to find the fuse holder burned in two we found out that for years that the fuse was blown but because the line voltage was 14.4K volts it had tracked on the inside of the fuse tube and depending on how much load was on the transformer as our voltage was, the linemen who replaced the fuse holder told that kind of holders were bad for that problem. Stay safe when working around electricity.

Many many years ago I was studying to be an electrician and one day one a job there was a transformer like this outside the building we were working in with no power. A lineman showed up and either didn't put it back together the right way or dropped something across the mains after he re-connected. That think blew like bomb and sounded like a canon spewing that oil out 25 feet in a circle pattern across the street. We all ran out to see what happened and the lineman was dangling upside down from his safety harness. Luckily he was mostly on the other side of the pole when it blew and only sustained mild injuries. I got into computers after that :)

Before their manufacture was banned in 1979, PCBs polychlorinated biphenyls were used widely in electrical equipment, including transformers and fluorescent light ballasts. Mantransformers still contain traces of PCB-contaminated oil even after the oil has been changed several times.

Fascinating as always. It's great how you show the work it takes to keep these old well going. i love the rustic electrical distribution!

It never fails, you need to pull quick clamp with a long hot stick. And the last guy was a trained gorilla with a big wrench! I was an electrician for 40 years. In all that time i never opened an oil filled device with PCB’s in it. If we encountered one that had to be opened the company had a contractor that handled the mess. If it was small enough and wasn’t leaking. We would remove and replace it.

Ohh man, this entire video gave me the shivers. Sticking your hands in that oil, good lord. I’m not a big PPE guy but I would have driven a 100 miles out of my way to get a good set of gloves.

Holy shit doing that hot line work like a cowboy

How can you not like this guy?

Many many years ago I worked in an aluminum smelter, for those who don't know, you use horrendous amounts of power to make aluminum. Our mechanic shop was just across the lane from the electrical shop. They had a monstrous huge transformer in there for rebuild one day and I had a peek, crazy stuff. Don't ask how big but they moved it with a 200 ton trailer, so big. I transferred over to power generation, so then I was working at a 1000 megawatt powerhouse. That was interesting too. The bucket truck broke down in the switch yard. I had to go in an get it running. The lineman literally had me by the collar of my coveralls steering me to where I was allowed. If I recall correctly the powerlines are 280Kv. Yeah, that place just crackled and hummed. When I was there they had a company come in and somehow filter all of the PCB's out of the transformer oil. There were thousands of gallons in the powerhouse between all the transformers and the tanks of spare oil. After having the fear of god put into us about the dangers of PCB's, I have to say watching you stuff your mitt into that transformer made me cringe just a tiny bit. Love your video's. So completely different from my world. Keep them coming.

Not many owner/operators left like you Zach. Keep up the good work. I sure wish you would get some long rubber gloves when you work on those transformers like that. They’re a whole lot cheaper than chemo treatments later in life.

Dude! I grew up in the Midwest and it appears you had an absolutely perfect day for your project. It's interesting to find someone who wants to make things happen and it would seem you are one of those folks! Best of luck to you!

Like the magic man..just gets it done..

So the transformer is probably 75-years old, and still running! Back when "made in America" meant something. Love your videos. Stay safe.

I can't get over how some of those old wooden poles can stand up that long

9:03 "Causes all types of mental problems like schizophrenia and liberalism" Well done, sir.

I remember watching KZfaq videos on installing light switches. I was nervous turning off the house's electricity to where I was installing the new Smart switch. The videos paid off. I properly and safely installed the switch and it works. And the house didn't burn down. Seeing what you do makes my hair stand on end! Keep safe.

People are way to health and safety critical. Let the man work on his equipment how he wants, looks like he knows how the stuff works. I tip my hat to you. Your a hard working man! And you have a bucket truck, that's cool!

I hope your watch ain't sittin' in the bottom of the transformer enjoying the Polychlorinated biphenyls! ;) That's quite a win to get that contraption going without buying a transformer! There just doesn't seem to be much you can't do! Thanks for takin' us along!

Perfect explanations of things I have long wondered about! Thank you!

I love this channel, its gold

Always liked your 'repair stuff' vids. Been awhile so thanks for bringing us along

Hey Zach been watching for a while you live in big sky country so you might not realize just how damn cinematic those blue skies with clouds floating by looks to the rest of us really cool visuals thanks man and as always thanks for letting us peak under the hood

Appreciate that your a real working man that does what he has to do to get the job done. I'm the same. We may break rules once in awhile, but experience, confidence and a reasonable assessment of danger determines how we get the job done.

Love the “Can Do Texan Spirit “ hard to find these days !!!

You do things that I’d never be able to learn about other than from KZfaq. Thanks for sharing it!!

I spent one year of college working an internship at a large paper mill. Many of my jobs involved designing retention basins around large (multiple MVA) transformers that were stuffed into building all over the mill site. Had to work out how much PCB oil was in each transformer, then calculate how high a concrete wall needed to surround the transformer to contain the oil if it were to spill. The units were too large to remove and replace with non-PCB units (they would be even larger) since they were some of the first pieces of equipment installed in the building, they were surrounded by large machinery. Often had to squeeze in between running 10,000HP motors and the buzzing transformers to get measurements. The next year back at college, I worked as a TA in the electrical machinery lab where students would hook up meters, breakers, motors, etc. to take measurements. They would all be afraid to throw the big knife switch to send 480V, 3 phase power to the load. I would follow along a bit behind the professor and flip the switches closed for the students. After working around all that massive paper mill equipment, the small motors they had in the lab were a piece of cake.

I definitely need to keep that transformer oil off of me if it causes all of that...haha. Great job repairing that old transformer :-)

Man, that was impressive driving that truck out of that hole.

Chuck Norris checks under the bed for Zach!

When I saw the image of the truck stuck I would have bet money no way you were getting out of that. Glad you did though.

Wow, that was quite educational. I heard a bunch of theory in school 30 years ago, but seeing someone actual work on one was great.

The most professional lineman on KZfaq!

Interesting video, jack of all trades in that business. I used to take chances with bad stuff like that transformer oil, didn't think too much of it. I'm 76 yrs old now, and about 3 yrs ago was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer, fortunately i got complete remission. So that risky stuff you do when you are young will catch up with you when you get older. doesn't take a lot to take precautions, the cost of the safety equipment is cheaper than taking care of some nasty illness when you are older. You certainly have an interesting profession . Take care of yourself.

Always love the videos Zach! Great information, great outlook on life. Inspirational man. Stay safe out there!

Nice

Beautiful blue sky and puffy clouds.......

As an oilfield electrician I love your videos man. It’s always good on my end learning more in depth about the pumps and utilizing the pumpers knowledge to be a better out in the oilfield.

I've done a lot of stupid things and I still have some more stupid in me but I'm putting a big nope on all of that Zach.

Wow, Zach! Another great video, I was nervous watching you do your magic on that transformer. I have always wanted to see the inside of one of those. As always, you do a great job explaining your work. I always enjoy seeing you trouble shoot and solve your mechanical and electrical problems. You are an amazing mechanic and electrician. Keep the videos coming, always a joy to see.

Glad to see you keeping civilization together

Very cool subject! I always wondered what one of those transformers looked like inside. I saw the oil in there that I was told is inside of those things. Love the channel 👍

The Zach of all trades

I give you so much credit for doing all that work with no KV rated gloves. Love the shirt too man!!

I've had the fuse blow on the pole in front of my house twice (Dead squirrel on the ground after each one). Given the extremely loud noise when they pop, I wondered if they had some kind of pyrotechnics to blow them open faster. This video finally answered that question.

Great watch! Thanks

Great video!

All the PCBs and dinosaur juice kept it fresh

Thanks for the lessons in how the power system works. I was shuddering thinking about the PCB. Look forward to the next one.

As 40 years as a hospital electrician I got to do some crazy stuff. I'm glad to see another crazy electrician fixing things that others say are shot or just too old. And yes that incoming line needs a fused disconnect to protect the service to others. But that's not your job. Thanks for the interesting video!

Hey man you ought to be an inspiration to lot of people out there, fixing things instead of throw it out and replace it like most do now days, I am the same, much older than you, we had to fix things, I still do to the amazement of younger guys who do not have the will to understand how things work what they do and how they were put together, in my view once you know that you can fix just about anything. On another note Id be very concerned around the 7.2 KV line, was curious to see how you was going to put it back on line without any protection Glad to see you put that drop out fuse/switch between the supply to the trafo, keep at it and all the very best C

You know, arm length rubber gloves would have helped with no PCB fluid, and helped avoid a 7200V surprize.

I used to built transformer cases for a company named Kuhnman electric back in the early 1970s they were an old company thats been sold out about 30 years ago I learned a lot

Thank you so so so much for taking us on these journeys. it is so interesting and rare to see some of these things so closely and you explain everything so well

Friend of mine changed ground wires in these when he was 20 years old did hundreds of them Didn’t bother him much he is 96 now

Lol, I was going to ask if that oil had pcb in it. I guess you learn pretty quick to get ahead of the comments.

Totally dig all the diy stuff ... Managed a big estate/ horse range for thirty five years, sometimes you have to do what you need to do ... Excellent process and trouble shooting 🌠🌠🌠 be safe ...

mentally deranged liberal here...glad you're safe Zach, always enjoy the heck outta the vids!

Here I was thinking it sucked taking old, stuck, hot-line clamps off with a shotgun. And Zack is doing it with his hotstick!

A nice long dip in PCB oil. That’ll come back to haunt you 😂

Back in the 70’s back I worked on Lube Oil Tanker Ships routinely carrying Transformer Oil as one of the cargoes. Back before we knew about the danger of PCB’s, we would routinely enter the pumped out tanks if repairs were needed. Our clothes and boots were often soaked in the stuff. Obviously it didn’t kill me or at least not yet, I want to collect a bunch more pension checks.

Getting it real and getting it done! Thanks and God bless.

As a lineman this is a first to me lol never seen a company let a customer do that but hey props to you for fixing that tub! Stay safe my friend! Also dont trust those porcelain cutouts, they leak and break so if you have to work on that tub again ( im sure you do but if you dont) take the hotline clamp off before going to work. I have had those leak over 2k volts on 7620 on our system. 🍻

Quality job, keeping the wheels turning. All the best mate.

You're scaring me. But you instill confidence, too. Great video

Thanks for the video. Great price on electric

After touching that PCB oil, its very important not to scratch your nuts.😂

Zach, I love your videos about the oil wells and electrical distribution. The RV and other videos are nice, but anything oil rocks! Please keep the videos coming!

Nice job. Looking forward to seeing some more of your videos.

You're makin me reeeeal nervous, Zach

Just a great channel. Better then any tv show on today. Keep up the great videos. Hello from destin Florida also.

Been almost 30 years in power utility business. I have never seen a CSP (self protected) transformer field repaired. I would have lost a bet that it would have worked again. Usually when those internal links open the pot is bad. Stay safe Zach. I know it’s your own equipment but please be careful up in that 7200V zone.

Fluid is probably not PCB (poly chlorinated biphenyl), but rather it is ordinary mineral oil with additives to prevent oxidation, etc. PCBs were expensive and were only used where code required, for instance indoors in vaults.

I worked for seismic crews in the 70's. Watching you get stuck in cow pasture brings back memories. Good times!😀

watched a few of your past videos with interest , amazing how old and how durable the pumps etc are i guess they are quite well over engineered and turn super slow , interesting fix on the the trany there i would have bet my lunch that trany was short , top job sir keep em coming and stay safe

At least you know the dangers of polychlorinated biphenyls, but yeah it's very stupid to stick your arm in PCB oil, at least you washed it off soon after. IDK the risks of putting it on your skin like that so watch out for any bad signs.

I always wanted to see the inside of a Transformer Zach. Thanks for showing me.

Another great video, I've always wondered about those transformers

You did a great job working with rather obscure conditions! glad you put that fuse in there. The wire you put in the transformer should carry 12 - 14 amps. So if you keep the fuses under 6 amps you should not have to go back into that transformer. If you are drawing 3.8kw at 7200volts, you should not exceed 1 amp in that high side transformer winding. Actually closer to 1/2 amp. You were right I looked it up and PCB transformer oil was made from 1929 to 1979. So that transformer probably has that very toxic oil in it - unless it's been changed out since 1980.

Love the Oklahoma Jack Lease! 😍 That was my first ever Zach Life video!

I have a similar bucket truck. A 1995 GMC with an Altec lift. Glad to see you got yourself unstuck.

Really cool

Two words: life insurance

Working at a power company, PCB's are a big deal. I bet it only causes cancer in California though!

Awesome!!!!

Thanks for the explanation!