Bringing Power In

[EddieWalker]

Today is one of those days that could have gone better then it did. I called the electric company and told them I was about ready for them to hook up the line to the meter box and to come inspect the work.

I'd made some changes to the original plan which is my downfall. I know better, but for the long term, a few days of misery will be worth it.

The power company said they'd be out in a few hours to make sure everything is done correctly.

Then about an hour later I get a call from them asking me to explain again the distance and depth of the electrical run, along with the amount of power I'll be pullng.

Here is where it gets interesting. Seems that wire pulling 1,200 amps tends to heat up some and what would have been fine for arial, isn't even close for underground.

The solution is to run three conduits. One each for each wire. Still three inches with 36 inch sweeping 90's.

At first I was a littel upset. Taken back, and at a loss. What to do??? After a few minutes of shut down, my mind turned back on and I came up with a plan.

First step was to cut the concrete to get two more three inch conduits through there.

 

[EddieWalker]

Then I dug a hole to expose the conduit I'd already buried. I'd hoped to never see this line again. Oh well.

Then a little tunneling under the pad. Then I have to break out the piece of concrete I cut loose. My saw blade is only 7 inches, and the pad is close to 4 inches at the edge.

 

[EddieWalker]

Meanwhile, my electricians were hard at work connecting the wires. Here's the meter box.

 

[EddieWalker]

The wires from the meter box then go to the disconnect box.

I'll connect to the switches when I run power to my buildings.

 

[EddieWalker]

Covers are on the boxes, and they are ready for inspection.

I couldn't find any 3 inch by 36 inch nineties in Tyler, and after calling the surrounding towns, I found a few in Henderson. Five to be exact. In need four.

In the morning I will install the two additional conduits. My inspection is postponed until Monday morning.

Eddie

 

[Larstan]

Fantastic project and awsome job Eddie, the rewire is small price to pay for the scope of your project. I'm rebuilding an old barn and I thought I was working pretty hard but you make me look like a piker /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif. Good stuff - keep it coming...

P.S. got to play with JD 750D cat today now that was fun /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[AntrimMan]

Eddie, if thats the only setback you encounter you are way, way, ahead.
Just one of lifes little hurdles. Easily cleared.
All the best,
Martin

 

[EddieWalker]

I've encountered another problem.

The power company gave me a call to tell me the addition fees to running the wire from the pole to the meter box. Originally the plan was to go overhead, then down into the box.

My electrician said it would be more secure and look cleaner if I went underground with it. I liked that idea, so built the pad to his specifications.

Due to the amount of power I'm pulling, things have gotten a little complicated. No problem, tell me what needs to be done and I can do that.

Here's the problem. The cost for going underground from the pole to the meter, about 10 feet away from each other, is roughly $2,000. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

This seems like allot of money just to avoid looking at three wires coming off a power pole. The more I think about it, the more it seems like a huge waste of money.

They justify some of the expense for materials. Wire and three seperate sch 80 conduits with standoff brackets going up the pole. Then there's the labor cost.

It also doesnt' seem as attractive in my mind having three large conduits running down the side of the pole. Either way, it's an eyesore.

Unless somebody comes up with a good reason for spending the $2,000 I'm going to go back to the original plan and go arial. Put in a creosote pole, which I already have, and do it that way.

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[Tim_in_IA]

what is the cost for going overhead as a comparison? Since a large part of the cost is labor and digging and setting the schedule 80 pipe, all things which you have done, maybe some sweat equity would lower the cost.

 

[EddieWalker]

Going overhead was included in the original bid along with installing the poles and line. Basically, it's already paid for versus and additional $2,000 after I install the underground conduit to go underground.

Eddie