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Thou Shalt Not Place A Screwdriver Into A 1200A Meter Bank

jar546

jar546

CBO
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
13,000
Location
Not where I really want to be
So when you do that and still walk away, you are very lucky. I was called to incident today to evaluate. Lucky indeed. Zoom into the top burnt meter to see what is left of the screwdriver.

meterbank burnt.jpgscrewdriverburnt.jpg
 
I like that they stencil the numbers next to the meter sockets, the "ol" sharpie just doesn't hold up!

Is that what's left of the Klein screwdriver in pick two? Are they guaranteed?
 
There is significant fault current there, notice the gray color case on the breakers under each meter, that means they are 65K AIC rated $$$.
 
There's something not right about the breakers at units 804 and 805. Judging by where the screwdriver was placed, this was either sabotage or an attempted suicide. Note that the screwdriver handle did not burn.

meterbank burnt.jpg



meterbank burnt.jpg

handle 2.jpg
 
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The shaft could have gotten hot enough for the plastic to melt around it enough to allow the handle to slide off, would not be surprised if doofy was desperately trying to get it out of there after the fault occurred. Just speculation on my part, and going to be expensive to repair, at the very least 3 meter stacks need to be replaced, and after that fault the whole thing prob. should be replaced, & 65K IC rating 200A breakers are high priced & long lead items. Hope they good E&O insurance. Just to add, the cockeyed breakers may be the result of the stress's that happen during a fault like that, it would be great to see photos of the insides when the covers are removed, it can be a teaching moment to see what happens as a result.
 
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Reactions: ICE
Norcal said:
and going to be expensive to repair, at the very least 3 meter stacks need to be replaced,
Click to expand...
You think the 904 stack needs to be replaced?

Going to have to pay for temporary living space for at least 4 apartments.
 
Do you think this was someone trying to do electrical work and they needed to or wanted to pull the meter? Maybe unit 703? The location of the screwdriver leads me to believe that they were trying to pry the meter rink off? Just my investigation instincts kickin in. Was there a tool bag near by or skate board? Fire apperars to be from the lower sockets?

ICE said:
Judging by where the screwdriver was placed, this was either sabotage or an attempted suicide.
Click to expand...
ICE that would sure be a different way to go out, any body running around with a screwdriver and a pee spot on the front side of thier Bermuda shorts should be questioned, I'd think?

I noticed you have a pee spot on the front of your shorts!, "Where were you on April 28th?"
 
Pcinspector1 said:
Do you think this was someone trying to do electrical work and they needed to or wanted to pull the meter? Maybe unit 703? The location of the screwdriver leads me to believe that they were trying to pry the meter rink off? Just my investigation instincts kickin in. Was there a tool bag near by or skate board? Fire apperars to be from the lower sockets?


ICE that would sure be a different way to go out, any body running around with a screwdriver and a pee spot on the front side of thier Bermuda shorts should be questioned, I'd think?

I noticed you have a pee spot on the front of your shorts!, "Where were you on April 28th?"
Click to expand...
A pee spot would be the least of it.....he looks like he got too close to the Sun.
 
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