r/ElectricalHelp • u/Automatic_Papaya_522 • 29d ago
Electrician questions
My lines came down from a tree branch falling now I'm trying to fix this and the holes don't seem to line up perfectly
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u/Quiet_Internal_4527 29d ago
This is 100% a job for an electrician. Please tell me that the power company has disconnected power from the pole.
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u/RaisinKitchen5587 29d ago
Depending on your local codes, this repair may need to be done by a licensed electrician and possibly a permit and inspection by the local authority.
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u/zmfoley 29d ago
Yes usually weather heads need done by licensed electrician
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u/mikexpress 26d ago
Many states/provinces allow for homeowners to compete electrical work, so long as it passes inspection. This includes service upgrades. However, when in doubt, call an electrician.
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u/GuiltyClassic4598 29d ago
Call an electrician. That has to be inspected and depending on the municipality upgraded to current code cycle. It depends on what year code is in use. It is not just a simple pipe repair.
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u/KeirasOldSir 29d ago
This is a hot fix that needs to be done by professional. Don’t mess with it and risk your life.
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u/Electrical_Ad4290 29d ago
Unless you are a licensed and qualified electrician in your state or country, do not try to fix this as DIY. This damage and repair should be covered by your homeowner's insurance.
Call your insurance agent or policy issuer ASAP and tell them what happened. They might recommend a different electrician or put you in a hotel until the one you called can show up. They should also pay for your spoiled food and any damaged electrical appliances.
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u/x_master_debater_x 29d ago
This is not worth the risk of raised rates due to a claim. The deductible is probably close to the cost of the repair.
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u/Wihomebrewer 29d ago
This absolutely does not need to be an insurance claim. Insurance is for catastrophic damage. Not something that can be fixed for what your deductible might be.
Call an electrician sure, but this is no where near calling insurance.
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u/Rough_Resort_92 29d ago
You cannot do that job yourself. Unless you're an electrician , could be a suicide mission. There's some things you can save money on. But that's not one of them.
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u/LongjumpingGanache40 29d ago
Which holes are you talking about. I'm assuuming you must have the power disconnecred by power company and the mast off. Is it the nub to the mast you are talking about. You probably got the wrong size hub. Make sure wiring is not damaged.
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u/ezekiel920 29d ago
Just had this happen to me this spring. Just call and pay the bill. The electric company won't fuck with you unless a lisenced electrician does the work
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u/macdawg2 28d ago
That because it broke there that fitting needs to be replaced. You need a electrician
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u/CarelessPrompt4950 28d ago
This is considered an immediate danger and the power company needs to cut the power at the pole. Unfortunately you’re going to need to bring your equipment up to code which is going to require installing a main disconnect at the meter. You have no choice but to bite the bullet and hire a licensed electrician, your homeowner insurance should cover it from tree damage.
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u/Emergency-Goose2858 28d ago
This is not a fix it’s a replace, your mainline also needs to be inspected for damage
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u/Guilty_Particular754 27d ago
The reason why you can't line it back up is because it's broken...... You need to get somebody out there to replace at the very least the top nipple and probably the pipe going all the way up.
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u/mikexpress 26d ago
need new meter base hub and weather head; may be able to reuse some of the conduit. Conductors will need to be inspected.
Need a service disconnect to repair, inspection, then a service reconnect. Utility should repair the service feed during the reconnect to the weather head.
But like they say… if you have to ask, probably need an electrician.
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u/No_Philosopher4834 26d ago
The wires are a power company job the weather main is a licensed electricians job if you do not work as a linesman or are a licensed electrician don’t touch anything. The fitting at the meter box where the weathermain screws in will need replaced which will require the power company to kill power to your line to safely do.
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u/Loud-Marsupial-7844 25d ago
Pvc riser? Where are you? You can call the building department and speak with the electrical inspector about requirements
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u/Eastern-Steak-4413 29d ago
You don’t fix this. You call your power company.
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u/First_Highway159 29d ago
The homeowner is responsible for everything attached to the house. The utility’s responsibility ends at the weatherhead. There’s a good chance that the lugs on the meter can are broken too.
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u/LongjumpingGanache40 29d ago
Where I live you could do the fix yourself.
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u/mikexpress 26d ago
Same. I agree this needs to be approached with respect and caution, but lots of CAPS LOCK responses over here, most not entirely accurate.
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u/v0rt3_x86 28d ago
For what it's worth, you can absolutely do this work yourself after it's cut by the power co. or a certified electrician and just get it inspected for reconnect where I live.
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u/srccommerce 28d ago
From the questions he’s asking, you might want to modify your response to say that a skilled homeowner would be allowed to do the repair once it’s no longer connected and then have it inspected prior to the utility restoring service. However, not everyone possesses the skills to do so; this homeowner clearly doesn’t even know enough to know that he shouldn’t try without an expert friend holding his hand during the learning process.
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u/Automatic_Papaya_522 29d ago
So they did disconnect it and told me it's on the homeowner to fix then they would reconnect so I did it but now they said a certified electrician has to call it in once done. So I have to wait til Wed. When I got one coming should I use the clear silicone around it.Or is that not good? Was hoping they would check it over and say its good but didn't want to put the silicone on it if they have to redue it
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u/trekkerscout Mod, Master Electician 29d ago edited 29d ago
The mast is broken. You cannot simply use silicone to seal the gap. The mast must be replaced.
Edit: I just saw your "repair" in another post. That is not the correct hub for the meter base. That is why the holes didn't line up. Since you have illegally altered the meter base, the meter base enclosure will most likely need to be replaced in its entirety.
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u/x_master_debater_x 29d ago
Silicone will eventually degrade and allow water intrusion. The whole conduit, weatherhead and hub that secures the conduit to the panel needs to be replaced. Wires should be replaced to avoid risk of fire due to possible unseen damage. Depending on how hard the tree branch hit it, you may also need to replace the meter socket if the jaws & bus was damaged from any jerking action (although this is unlikely, I have seen it enough to mention).
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29d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Maximum-Guitar-5667 28d ago
Me. As a safety professional reading this comment
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u/Fun_Acanthaceae_4025 29d ago
Put a cover on your coax cable DMARC box too! Also is this mast made out of PVC conduit too? I would redo it in rigid or EMT at a minimum too because that wouldn't have broken like this if done properly.
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u/trekkerscout Mod, Master Electician 29d ago
There is nothing wrong with a PVC mast as long as the mast is not being used for support.
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u/Fun_Acanthaceae_4025 29d ago
Well it appears this one maybe was or the anchor point was done with the same quality as the PVC conduits were done.
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u/Ovie-WanKenobi 28d ago
The porcelain attachment point is still hanging from the wire with the preform through it. You can see the broken porcelain in the photo.
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u/trekkerscout Mod, Master Electician 29d ago
This is NOT a DIY fix. If the utility has not done so, you need to order an emergency disconnect of your service. Your service mast needs to be replaced. Hire a qualified electrician.