[SEL] OT! Electrical troubleshoting

[bill at antique-engines.com]

And a couple twist connectors, some duct tape, and rebury it, right?


> I would have just used the ground wire as a hot and been done with it.
> Whats the worst that can happen?  Everything is well grounded, big time!
>
> I once had some 250 MCM aluminum wire turn to powder in the middle of an
> underground run.  The powder would carry enough current to show voltage
> but
> would carry no amps.  It was a 150 foot run.  I had an epiphany, started
> digging and within 2 feet found the problem.  Maybe you'll get that lucky
> too!
>
> Rick
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bob Willman" <blcksmth at wcnet.org>
> To: "'The SEL email discussion list'" <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
> Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2010 4:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [SEL] OT! Electrical troubleshoting
>
>
>>
>> I assumed that you were using a toner to follow the signal from the
>> wire underground. That signal tracing device is easily fooled by high
>> resistance connections. You must isolate the wires completely at both
>> ends
>> but even then if the wires are close together for any distance the tone
>> will
>> show up on the adjacent conductors. If you get the pick-up close to the
>> individual wires (underground in your case) you may be able to tell when
>> the
>> signal is lost - it will be louder near that wire. Sounds like a good
>> time
>> to lay new wires in plastic conduit.
>>
>>
>> Bob Willman
>> The Eagle's Anvil
>> WB8NQW
>> Bowling Green, Ohio
>>
>> The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are
>> willing to work and give to those who would not.
>>
>> Thomas Jefferson
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: sel-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com
>> [mailto:sel-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com] On Behalf Of Elden
>> Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2010 2:44 PM
>> To: The SEL email discussion list
>> Subject: Re: [SEL] OT! Electrical troubleshoting
>>
>> Curt:
>>
>> What I'd do would be to either connect all three conductors together at
>> the
>> load end or ground all three (whichever works best).
>>
>> When the signal generator is connected between the white (the good wire)
>> and
>> the black (the bad one) and a relatively low frequency signal is
>> injected,
>> the signal level should decrease sharply at the point of the break.
>>
>> In my experience, what I've found in such situations is that either the
>> cable got nicked and corrosion has made the conductor fail -OR- some
>> "scientist" spliced the cable using wire nuts!
>>
>> I would, however, suggest that you simply uproot the entire old cable
>> and
>> replace it with something more substantial.
>>
>> Take care - Elden
>> http://www.oldengine.org/members/durand
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: sel-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com
>>> [mailto:sel-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com]On Behalf Of
>>> curt at rustyiron.com
>>> Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2010 8:19 AM
>>> To: The SEL email discussion list
>>> Subject: [SEL] OT! Electrical troubleshoting
>>>
>>>
>>> Hey guys and gals,
>>> Since the SEL is a vast pool of knowledge to draw from, I need help
>>> with troubleshooting an underground wire at the new place.
>>> From the house is a
>>> 12 ga wire that goes underground a couple of hundred feet to feed a
>>> couple of pole lights. This is that gray outdoor wire.
>>> The lights quit working and after some troubleshooting was surprised
>>> to learn the wire itself is bad.
>> .................snip................
>>
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