The later clip at 3:05 seems to be a different transformer than the clip just after 2:03. Or, maybe I'm not understanding? Is that the neutral lug of the secondary that is corroded and burnt out at 3:05?
Correct. The clip at the end of the video was from a different. (And somewhat similar incident)... Just ran out of footage for the audio and figured it was relevant .
@@Bobsdecline While I am familiar with the utility pole and transformer, with the disconnect between the transformer and HV feed and the fuses From your explanation which was very detailed, the primary 15-20Kv was connected directly to the secondary neutral lug? And not to the windings?
Yikes! That could have been a disaster. After the major ice storm we had in 1976, there was some fence wire and other things used just to get power back on. The idea was to flag these things for repair once the major work was done. Some of it got missed and failed 20 years later. That was some good fence wire. Stay safe, and God bless.
I worked on a broadcast transmitter that actually used pole pigs in reverse. 480v in and 7500 volts out. I had to open them up one time to tap the windings for more voltage by reaching down into the oil to get to the terminal lugs. Most of the time our gear uses dry transformers but this was the exception.
I saw a ranch that had standard 120/240v delivery through a meter which then ran up another pole to a pole pig and a span that ran off deep into private property which I'm assuming is customer maintained.
Scary! I'm not a lineman, but I do work with electronics as a hobby. Crazy the things people do in a pinch and just walk away saying "good enough". Terrible workmanship just grinds my gears.... Perfect example is a power supply I'm working on at the moment. Just a simple linear supply with lots of iron. Anyway, fuse blew so they thought putting a bigger fuse would fix it. It fried the pass transistors, driver transistor, balancing resistors and a few more things. Basically a write-off if you were to send it to a repair shop. Fortunately it was given to me and I have plenty of parts in my stock. Free (almost) power supply! A 120VAC to 13.8VDC supply is one thing, but a 7.2kV transformer bushing? C'mon.... That's outright irresponsible even in a pinch....
recalling some years ago where the utility did their patrol and saw nothing so somehow got permission to install a larger fuse with the hope of burning off a small branch they didn't see in the dark. As the story goes (I was standing there) they raised the stakes from 100 amps to 150 amps and sent the new guy up in the bucket. (first week in the field) He took a few practice swings, then turned his head for the last stroke before looking back. It held for about 5 seconds then... BAM... the 150 amp fuse blew! (I think he might have soiled himself) At that point someone along the line spotted the actual problem and called it in. Another patrol of the line found that branch across the primaries. Replacing the fuse again, the new guy slapped the other guy on the back and said "I did my part so show us how it's done!"
First time I ever heard a powerline fuse pop crews ended up working most of the night to unfustercluck someone else's idea. Two transformers came off a pole too far from the road to reach by truck and one new one went up. You don't really think about the cold until you see a power crew work 8 hours on one job in the middle of winter on a pole the trucks can't reach.
that shouldnt have even been done period, storm work or not. the insulator was broken off. there was no way to seal the transformer. That transformer couldve been salvaged by simply changing out the insulator...
@@wyliesdiesels4169 I would agree except for one thing.... I doubt anyone does field service on these things because it's too easy to screw up plus you have no idea what other problems exist internally. IOW, best to send it out for proper repair and testing.
В Европе такие линии под землёй делают. Это дороже строить, зато дешевле обслуживать. Мы монтажников по 10 лет не видим, хотя и ветры сильные были, и снега много. Приезжали только счётчики менять. Теперь электронные.
I always wondered what core geometry NA pole mount tx's used, turns out it's mostly oil Re the quick fix do it right later approach, if it's a majorly important customer, say a hospital, i could see that. But wtf on a single residence.... Thank you for what you do Aaron. And indeed stay safe, i got to reset my 'i had a dumb' meter twice in 30 seconds the other day. Changing a light switch, turned off appropriate circuit, proved dead. (incorrectly,. assumed the earth wire was actually earth, rather than not connected at the other end). Feels tingles from the live 240v wire, ... grabs it again to make sure..... LOL (tired, not thinking, i got lucky YET AGAIN due to fibreglass steps). Stay safe people
I was going to guess it was either the homeowner or a contractor. The contractors are paid by the job so the motivation, especially when doing storm damage, it is all about how fast you can get the power back on.
Yes, Ausgrid in Australia make sure that the trees are pruned to prevent that from happening but we somehow had 2 Mini power blackouts overnight this year & I have been wondering what caused it. We only live a couple of kilometres from a large 132/11 kV substation so I still think that a tree branch may have fell on the 11 kV feeder (across a couple of phases maybe) which connects our street to the substation !
The first thing I see: too many trees around all these power lines. Where I come from, the power companies go onto customers' properties every 10 years or so and cut down anything that's in the way. No mercy
shit a newer development behind my house planted oak and maple trees directly under the powerlines and they are already within a foot of the communications lines and will be touching the powerlines soon enough at the rate they are growing
I'm not 100% sure on the details and don't want to spread any rumors for this particular incident, but... There's typically two situations that could cause this. ( Unless the truck actually flips over) One being a failure in the holding valves, which wouldn't typically drop overly quick. There other being failure at a critical weld point at one of the piston/knuckle locations
If you saw the pictures like I did. The lower boom appeared to go way past over center & it looks like the stop in the cylinder wasn’t there & it failed causing a fatal injury. Hence why everyday we fly our buckets before the start of our day. If that was done that day? That might have prevented that tragedy?
Any time you have a hydraulic leak it lets the pressure out and the pressure is what holds the cylinder in place. If a big enough leak happens suddenly then the hydraulic cylinder will rapidly slam down and anything attached will fall.
I don’t know why they bothered with the crimp. A short section of that bent galv fencing, a hammer and some vice grips would have added to the shade tree mechanic aesthetic.. For real, anyone trained on the basics of being an adult would know this is a bad idea. You need years of training to get to this level 😂
Wow, and somebody got the red seal and does that work? I’ve never known many apprentices to do transformer work. Glad I’m retired sort of hi from Halifax.
I've seen every movie in the series and I had no idea that's what the inside of these dudes look like... where were the Transformers in the video? You didn't show any of them 'transforming'. ???? NDA stuff I guess... My kid's gonna love this!!!!
I was wondering how that transformer worked with only one primary lead exiting the transformer case at the top with the insulator. [broken in this case] Then I thought maybe it works with a case ground reference with a lead going down the pole to a ground rod. Then I backed up the video to 2:17 and it does look like the second primary lead is indeed grounded to the side of the case [back of video frame, right next to the internal transformer tie down strap] with a spotwelded stud and a wire lug with nut attachment.
Wow. The guy probably felt smart doing it. Did not even use duct tape!! The other part of storm work is "be kind to customers" They do not know you are not their power company. Nit picking - the HV feed is through a bushing not an insulator. Insulators separate or isolate two parts. Bushing allows one time to pass through another safely. Nit picking. Seen video of when a pole mount explodes, pops the top & throws burning oil everywhere. Thank you for posting and spreading the knowledge. Hope to never see one.
In the UK the storm of 1986 was big bad and 1 we will allways rember and now electric company now make sure no trees by the nail feeds around the country as trees and wire so don't mix and I notice we are allways improvein but then I watch the USA and some comapns and trees and wire all tangled up it's shocking how they put it back by trees and the next year tee down on the cable no upgrades or very little on parts of usa just waste of cash is all I see compared what us brits do even our phone line s are getting better
Wow that was a surprise didn't think that was going to happen but at least you know its a bigger problem.. i can't believe someone would be messing around with those wires he could have got himself killed being a moron don't mess with it let the professionals do it
Explain to us Europeans, why don’t you pull three phases all the way to houses? I don’t believe in saving wire explanation as that has led thicker wires and rotary transformers, along other weird solutions.
No surprises there. Whoever left that trap did so to hurry up & get out of there. Rather than call for a new can. Someone was pushing to get out of there? They left you a trap to remember them by. Selfish pricks!
Makes a person wonder if it could actually get that hot within normal-ish conditions. Throw a 15kw load on it & wait till the primary starts to droop lol
I can't believe someone would _leaf_ it in that condition. There are times and places to _branch_ out into transformer repair, and the _field_ is neither.
The later clip at 3:05 seems to be a different transformer than the clip just after 2:03. Or, maybe I'm not understanding? Is that the neutral lug of the secondary that is corroded and burnt out at 3:05?
Correct. The clip at the end of the video was from a different. (And somewhat similar incident)... Just ran out of footage for the audio and figured it was relevant .
@@Bobsdecline While I am familiar with the utility pole and transformer, with the disconnect between the transformer and HV feed and the fuses From your explanation which was very detailed, the primary 15-20Kv was connected directly to the secondary neutral lug? And not to the windings?
“Who did your electrical?..
That would be my nephew, Thomas. He’s very handy”
😂
When did Thomas' house burn down?
How did you know his burned?
When Thomas finished your electrical, he was also electrified. Such a bright guy ;)
Lol I read that in the old lady's voice.
@@akshonclip Thomas puts the lights on the Christmas tree every year so he’s experienced with electricity. Oh what a beautiful tree this year.
@@patbullard9276 Every damn year he has to go to the hardware store for 2 plugs and a bit of cable
Yikes! That could have been a disaster. After the major ice storm we had in 1976, there was some fence wire and other things used just to get power back on. The idea was to flag these things for repair once the major work was done. Some of it got missed and failed 20 years later. That was some good fence wire. Stay safe, and God bless.
Crazy!!
Right, any water ingress would displace the oil as it sinks to the bottom of the can. Yikes!
I wonder if the water level in the bottom actually got up to the windings, or it it was just the contamination of the bulk oil that made it fail.
I don't work in the industry, but have hella respect for linemen. You keep the lights on for all of us. Thanks for the interesting video.
"And for my next quick storm hack, you can splice a broken 7200V primary with a split-bolt and wrap it in electrical tape. It'll be fine."
Hey! Don't knock it! Half of repairs after hurricane Maria in PR where split bolt. Now a lot of our calls on secondary issues are that.
that wasnt a split bolt. thats a crimp typically used on secondary drops to splice onto the service entrance coming out of the weatherhead
used split bolts to splice leads on a large (500 hp ?) 6900 volt motor .
What, they didn't fill the hole with silicon? What a mistake 🤣 Thanks for the Great Video Aaron 👍
I worked on a broadcast transmitter that actually used pole pigs in reverse. 480v in and 7500 volts out. I had to open them up one time to tap the windings for more voltage by reaching down into the oil to get to the terminal lugs. Most of the time our gear uses dry transformers but this was the exception.
I saw a ranch that had standard 120/240v delivery through a meter which then ran up another pole to a pole pig and a span that ran off deep into private property which I'm assuming is customer maintained.
I see you've met Pedro. He also installs windows and siding if you're interested.
Scary! I'm not a lineman, but I do work with electronics as a hobby. Crazy the things people do in a pinch and just walk away saying "good enough". Terrible workmanship just grinds my gears.... Perfect example is a power supply I'm working on at the moment. Just a simple linear supply with lots of iron. Anyway, fuse blew so they thought putting a bigger fuse would fix it. It fried the pass transistors, driver transistor, balancing resistors and a few more things. Basically a write-off if you were to send it to a repair shop. Fortunately it was given to me and I have plenty of parts in my stock. Free (almost) power supply! A 120VAC to 13.8VDC supply is one thing, but a 7.2kV transformer bushing? C'mon.... That's outright irresponsible even in a pinch....
"Hi! I'm your subcontractor and I'm here to help you!"
recalling some years ago where the utility did their patrol and saw nothing so somehow got permission to install a larger fuse with the hope of burning off a small branch they didn't see in the dark. As the story goes (I was standing there) they raised the stakes from 100 amps to 150 amps and sent the new guy up in the bucket. (first week in the field) He took a few practice swings, then turned his head for the last stroke before looking back. It held for about 5 seconds then... BAM... the 150 amp fuse blew! (I think he might have soiled himself) At that point someone along the line spotted the actual problem and called it in. Another patrol of the line found that branch across the primaries. Replacing the fuse again, the new guy slapped the other guy on the back and said "I did my part so show us how it's done!"
Wow! What a mess! Glad no one was hurt.
I work over 40 years in a Transformer shop and have saw many things but this is a first for me.
First time I ever heard a powerline fuse pop crews ended up working most of the night to unfustercluck someone else's idea. Two transformers came off a pole too far from the road to reach by truck and one new one went up. You don't really think about the cold until you see a power crew work 8 hours on one job in the middle of winter on a pole the trucks can't reach.
It doesn't happen often but sometimes they do that kind of repair during a storm work and sometimes they end up forgetting replacing it.
it's called lost paperwork.
that shouldnt have even been done period, storm work or not. the insulator was broken off. there was no way to seal the transformer. That transformer couldve been salvaged by simply changing out the insulator...
@@wyliesdiesels4169 I would agree except for one thing.... I doubt anyone does field service on these things because it's too easy to screw up plus you have no idea what other problems exist internally. IOW, best to send it out for proper repair and testing.
В Европе такие линии под землёй делают. Это дороже строить, зато дешевле обслуживать. Мы монтажников по 10 лет не видим, хотя и ветры сильные были, и снега много. Приезжали только счётчики менять. Теперь электронные.
Everyone knows they should have used duct tape.
Of course, duct tape works on everything.
Don't forget baling wire/twine.
@@bgeery FlexSeal
@@cherylmillard2067 Yeah but that’s hard to find when these emergencies happen. We all have a roll or two of duct tape around for such emergencies.
Should have hired Red Green.
The person who did it took electrical diy in the whole new level
Thanks for your video, Aaron, this was a lesson for all the younger techs out there of what to look for and what not to do.
Wow... that's pretty hokey!!!
Just when you've seen it all, you see something else.
I work in telecom, nothing surprises me anymore.
I always wondered what core geometry NA pole mount tx's used, turns out it's mostly oil
Re the quick fix do it right later approach, if it's a majorly important customer, say a hospital, i could see that. But wtf on a single residence....
Thank you for what you do Aaron. And indeed stay safe, i got to reset my 'i had a dumb' meter twice in 30 seconds the other day. Changing a light switch, turned off appropriate circuit, proved dead. (incorrectly,. assumed the earth wire was actually earth, rather than not connected at the other end). Feels tingles from the live 240v wire, ... grabs it again to make sure..... LOL (tired, not thinking, i got lucky YET AGAIN due to fibreglass steps). Stay safe people
Thanks Aaron, That's pretty crazy, good find and a good lesson!
Wow that’s nuts.
I was going to guess it was either the homeowner or a contractor. The contractors are paid by the job so the motivation, especially when doing storm damage, it is all about how fast you can get the power back on.
Side note from the video but do you have any video where you discuss your personal path into the trade? Any years as a groundman?
Yes, Ausgrid in Australia make sure that the trees are pruned to prevent that from happening but we somehow had 2 Mini power blackouts overnight this year & I have been wondering what caused it.
We only live a couple of kilometres from a large 132/11 kV substation so I still think that a tree branch may have fell on the 11 kV feeder (across a couple of phases maybe) which connects our street to the substation !
The first thing I see: too many trees around all these power lines. Where I come from, the power companies go onto customers' properties every 10 years or so and cut down anything that's in the way. No mercy
shit a newer development behind my house planted oak and maple trees directly under the powerlines and they are already within a foot of the communications lines and will be touching the powerlines soon enough at the rate they are growing
It only takes 5 years for some tree species to grow that tall.
Wow. 👍👊 happy thanksgiving Aaron.
Wait I just looked it up. Hope you had a happy thanksgiving…… IN OCTOBER
what’s wrong with you guys? 😂😂😂
the problem here was they didnt use flex tape then slap it and say thats not going anywhere
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Over?!?!
wow. yikes. absolutely scary.
greetings from nova scotia.
Yikes!! Glad you got that replaced.
Keep being pro next level, dude.
that could be some of my bad jokes. but it is real, someone actually did this.
Since you're a lineman i am asking here .what would cause a bucket truck to drop out the sky.Lineman in Georgia lost his life that way recently.
I'm not 100% sure on the details and don't want to spread any rumors for this particular incident, but...
There's typically two situations that could cause this. ( Unless the truck actually flips over)
One being a failure in the holding valves, which wouldn't typically drop overly quick. There other being failure at a critical weld point at one of the piston/knuckle locations
If you saw the pictures like I did. The lower boom appeared to go way past over center & it looks like the stop in the cylinder wasn’t there & it failed causing a fatal injury. Hence why everyday we fly our buckets before the start of our day. If that was done that day? That might have prevented that tragedy?
Hydraulic failure, blown hose, poor maintenance.
@@publicmail2 Ok thanks to all that answered.
Any time you have a hydraulic leak it lets the pressure out and the pressure is what holds the cylinder in place. If a big enough leak happens suddenly then the hydraulic cylinder will rapidly slam down and anything attached will fall.
Wow!!!!
I don’t know why they bothered with the crimp. A short section of that bent galv fencing, a hammer and some vice grips would have added to the shade tree mechanic aesthetic..
For real, anyone trained on the basics of being an adult would know this is a bad idea. You need years of training to get to this level 😂
that's not a bandage, that's a death trap just waiting to happen. I sure hope you guys stop using that contractor.
No shortcuts when it comes to electricity!
Wow, and somebody got the red seal and does that work? I’ve never known many apprentices to do transformer work. Glad I’m retired sort of hi from Halifax.
I've seen every movie in the series and I had no idea that's what the inside of these dudes look like... where were the Transformers in the video? You didn't show any of them 'transforming'. ???? NDA stuff I guess...
My kid's gonna love this!!!!
Wow... that's messed up!
Is all that fluid rainwater that entered, or are these transformers filled with oil?
Mineral oil... It doesn't take much water mixed in to reduce it's dielectric properties
The H press is the hacker’s go to for fixing everything
Shun! (bell) SHUN!
Most important: blame it on a subcontractor. 😂
Jeepers, they should have used one of those big glass wire nuts instead! Did the water destroy a repairable transformer?
That is wild!!!!!
That transformer had to be making some kind of noise?
Classic bush fix eh!
I was wondering how that transformer worked with only one primary lead exiting the transformer case at the top with the insulator. [broken in this case]
Then I thought maybe it works with a case ground reference with a lead going down the pole to a ground rod.
Then I backed up the video to 2:17 and it does look like the second primary lead is indeed grounded to the side of the case [back of video frame, right next to the internal transformer tie down strap] with a spotwelded stud and a wire lug with nut attachment.
Maybe they busted the transformer open for that cooking oil.
Wow. The guy probably felt smart doing it. Did not even use duct tape!! The other part of storm work is "be kind to customers" They do not know you are not their power company.
Nit picking - the HV feed is through a bushing not an insulator. Insulators separate or isolate two parts. Bushing allows one time to pass through another safely. Nit picking.
Seen video of when a pole mount explodes, pops the top & throws burning oil everywhere.
Thank you for posting and spreading the knowledge. Hope to never see one.
So many hacks out there.
That’s just crazy?! Why? That’s so dumb!
That's fricken scary.
What’s with all the vegetation so close to the live feed
if the transformer inside is rectangular, why is the enclosure a cylinder?
Less wind resistance.
Wait that was water. not cooling oil?
Not condoning the hack they did, but they could have done several other things to at least protect it.
Wow...
👊
In the UK the storm of 1986 was big bad and 1 we will allways rember and now electric company now make sure no trees by the nail feeds around the country as trees and wire so don't mix and I notice we are allways improvein but then I watch the USA and some comapns and trees and wire all tangled up it's shocking how they put it back by trees and the next year tee down on the cable no upgrades or very little on parts of usa just waste of cash is all I see compared what us brits do even our phone line s are getting better
Whoever did that makes the rest of us look bad
Canadian, eh?
Wow that's bad.
Should have at least slapped some flex tape on there!
I used to be an ABB rep. Those PCBs where not good, on the old xformers.
Wow that was a surprise didn't think that was going to happen but at least you know its a bigger problem.. i can't believe someone would be messing around with those wires he could have got himself killed being a moron don't mess with it let the professionals do it
Any Repercussions with Contractor that Band-Aid a Fix ? GOD knows this person is Lazy. WHO wants to Work Alongside someone like this ? Nobody! 🤔🤪👎
Who even does this? WOW
Explain to us Europeans, why don’t you pull three phases all the way to houses? I don’t believe in saving wire explanation as that has led thicker wires and rotary transformers, along other weird solutions.
⚡️
😮
Wow !! That was a stupid shade tree rige job . I am surprised there was not a fire . I say do it correct . Or get another job .
No surprises there. Whoever left that trap did so to hurry up & get out of there. Rather than call for a new can. Someone was pushing to get out of there? They left you a trap to remember them by. Selfish pricks!
If your transformer fills up with water, can't you just have all your neighbors charge their EV's at the same time to boil it off? Problem solved. :P
Makes a person wonder if it could actually get that hot within normal-ish conditions. Throw a 15kw load on it & wait till the primary starts to droop lol
@@danl6634 It would be an interesting experiment!
I can't believe someone would _leaf_ it in that condition. There are times and places to _branch_ out into transformer repair, and the _field_ is neither.