Replacing a Pad Mounted Residential Transformer

[@jeremyhelton984]

My Dad was a lineman for 35 years. I watched this with him. He agreed that the crew did a great job. Especially with the camera around.

[@tonytran4857]

My Dad was a lineman for 35 years ukhdskujdokdp shut up dude

[@DoahnKea_Tuber]

Would have loved to ask your dad a few questions about the inner-workings! Great Upload R. W.!

[@slump6982]

@@tonytran4857 U okay?

[@machin9267]

@@tonytran4857 😅

[@tonytran4857]

@@slump6982 No i'm not OK dude kkkkkkkk

[@stopdusty420]

That's the pole people are referring to, when you say "I wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole"

[@obviouslytwo4u]

Fat cheeks and electrics have a lot in common lol.

[@shroomiestshroom3655]

it has nothing to do with those poles at all, unless your saying they were installing transformers into gardens in 1843? i think the ten foot pole refers more to barge and pushing poles.

[@stopdusty420]

Hahaha dude it's a joke, It didn't need fact checking. But thanks for unsure answer of where this saying might have started.

[@alexoike5381]

@@obviouslytwo4u Fat cheeks?

[@PWingert1966]

@@alexoike5381 Arc Flash is more likely with large contact surfaces!

[@ClallamPUD]

Just as a followup, the customer contacted the PUD about the condition of the transformer on his property. Crews were concerned that due to the age that it might be had a good potential for leaking. Upon inspection it was determined it was in rough shape with quite a bit of corrosion (the unit dates back to the 1970s) and warranted replacement to avoid a potential leak. A win-win for both the customers and the PUD, as a changeout would not have occurred for simple aesthetics. The old unit was standard painted steel and the new unit is painted stainless steel, which will be much more resistant to the elements. Great video!

[@jchambers2586]

25 as in 25 KVA= 100 AMPS ?

[@linehandibew6205]

Guys must be non union rats 🐀

[@ironmatic1]

As stated in the video, that transformer was providing service for 3 homes, so up to 600 amps of secondary protection on that. The poco assumes the services are rarely going to be at full capacity, and wet transformers can take a beating.

[@mr.m.3280]

Transformer must be dead, parking the other ends killing the primary side. Still lot of safety issues to be addressed.

[@Nickdennis1992]

If this exact same job was done in 1319 territory for UGI or PPL every person on site would be terminated immediately. So many bad practices and safety violations it is insane. Not a great video but a disgrace to the electrical industry and lineman everywhere. I cant believe PUD would even acknowledge this videos existence let alone comment on it

[@chrisharper2658]

I have the utmost respect for those that work with high voltage systems like our power grid. You can see they are well trained and are well disciplined. After all, there lives are at stake. Now if only our elected officials could function with that same respect and understanding.

[@kyukyu5982]

I often think about this too... What I think is happening is the type of mental focus it takes to design and implement these things it's very different than the environment of policy making and human behavior focused endeavors. I really like maths, I suck at it but I really enjoy the intense discipline and focus and creative thinking you need to discover unique and interesting patterns and relations. I also like system building. But what I often don't like is people hahahaha.... I think that speaks perhaps a little to how we get such a reliable powergrid and such a shit show of everything else! But that's just my two cents! Take care!

[@johnarmenta2199]

They are not quite that disciplined. Numerous safety violations were taking place here. The biggest one was not using adequate PPE.

[@UNUSUALUSERNAME220]

It's even worse when you get up high! I work around 480v on power bars 50 ft in the air on a cherry picker. You have to be aware of where you are at all times, one wrong move and you'll get nailed.

[@toma5153]

@@johnarmenta2199 What do you think the primary voltage is? I'm sure much more than 600 VAC. I thought cotton clothing, like blue jeans, would be verboten.

[@johnarmenta2199]

@@toma5153 - it's 15kV class equipment. My guess is the operational voltage is either 12.47 or 13.2kV. Cotton should be fine provided they have the breaker set on a hot line hold or arc flash mode. But they are not wearing Lineman gloves - the high voltage rated gloves. That's not necessary if the system is de-energized and grounded. I don't see any grounds though - maybe its grounded elsewhere. The big deal is no consistent use of glasses and hard hats. Just my observations.

[@sparkythebuilder]

The fact that "it is an eyesore" has got to be one of the silliest reasons I have heard to replace a transformer. Better call the phone and cable company next, their boxes don't match the transformer now. :P

[@PeterWalkerHP16c]

I wouldn't have put that in the description! My old switchboard is from the 1930's. I like it.

[@EqualsThreeable]

Yeah, they should’ve just went with the paint job. There’s an expected useful lifespan of all thing, but some things can last 100 years. I’m curious as to what these transformers expect to run. I know the one by my house has been there since the buildings near it were constructed.

[@DrHarryT]

He did not ask for it to be replaced..."I asked her if could paint it myself, or if PUD could dress it up with some new paint and signage."

[@HighestRank]

@@EqualsThreeable lifespan is up to 50 years, dependent upon the quality of paint used for the exterior.

[@TheSeanUhTron]

@@EqualsThreeable AC transformers are incredibly simple devices. They're literally just hunks of metal with wires wrapped around them. Most are oil cooled, and as long as the oil doesn't leak out, they can easily last 50+ years.

[@captainTubes]

And for today on our regularly scheduled episode of FULLY RANDOM, the KZbin algorithm has a wonderful selection of Linemen changing a transformer for you. Thank us later!

[@bowendarius5084]

InstaBlaster.

[@crappyatlife]

And for today's unoriginal lame comment....

[@_JoseRoberto24_]

oh so thats a transformer i use to sit on those when I was younger lol

[@andrewlankford9634]

Older whinos like to use it for braking when they run off the road.

[@robertfpjr]

Had one behind my basketball pole growing up. It was the rest spot.

[@franksantis7403]

Used to love the humming they put off

[@Branhawk]

Those don’t jump sign, made me wanna jump! Pretty stupid but never got hurt 😆

[@irrelevant6845]

My brother and I used to dare each other to pee on them when we were little. And we did it, never got shocked luckily lol.

[@JavierRodriguez-db2vh]

They just did this in my front yard but they also ran new underground wires. It was a cool process to witness. Good job guys

[@luckyhiker3434]

What in the world were all those wires?

[@Chris-CardVault]

Yeah, we ripped one out for scrap, it was cool, nobody got fried! But, the electric company, was furious!

[@javierrodriguez-nv7zt]

@@luckyhiker3434 all underground power lines. We don’t have overhead power lines in our neighborhood. All are run underground.

[@Jordan__Sloan]

Unless they destroy your yard in the peocess

[@jovetj]

@@luckyhiker3434 The transformer converts 7800 volts to 240 volts. The thicker wires they were using the sticks when handling are the 7800 volt feed. The other wires are three sets of 240/120V to the three homes. Each home gets three wires, two 120 volts "hots" and a neutral which is grounded. Connecting to both hots give you 240 volts for bigger loads. There were nine lower voltage wires because of the three homes served.

[@TwoStageTrigger]

We call the one in our backyard the "monster box." Because there is a warning label with a monster made of electricity on it and as little kidss we thought thats what it had inside.

[@johnathanltablet]

What do you mean thought? That's exactly what's in there!

[@trainman5371]

That guy actually has a name. He’s called “Mr. Ouch”

[@Splunkon]

@@trainman5371 lol wayyyy more than just an ouch 😂

[@SirHeadly84]

God is in that box. Because if you go messing around in there without knowing exactly what you are doing; you'll meet him as will anyone else that tries to help you .

[@Cola64]

@@SirHeadly84 is god Col. Sanders?

[@tomharris8263]

I will gladly pay higher energy bills just to have these trained men working on the system. Keep up the good work.

[@Nolaman70]

Maybe tip them when you see then on the side of the road, that way they actually get the money... or go get them a pizza.

[@mk420]

Good to see a swap out/swap in go well, I’m sure everyone has had the experience where you think “I’ll just swap this out for a new one” and designs or dimensions have changed and nothing fits quite like it was supposed to. I suspect they don’t schedule this type of work in the dark or during storms, but you still have to appreciate the work that linemen do to keep us powered.

[@Tre16]

They do it for a paycheck, not helping you lol

[@Chris-CardVault]

We caught some homeless guys scraping one of these, luckily they didn't get fried! But, the electric company was sure mad!

[@michaelhorner]

I do not believe they “schedule” these change outs during storms… @mk420 😂😂 no sh$t Sherlock. He means when a storm damages or floods a transformer and they must change out to restore power ASAP. I believe you know what he means, your comment just came off looking like you are telling him they don’t schedule during rain or storms. Neither of those ⚡️ ⛈️ are scheduled as well. Cheers carry on mates. Oh and a big thank you to the linesmen and women. Electricity ⚡️ ⚡️ ⚡️ is a fascinating energy state that must be fully respected in order to stay safe. Always work with ⚡️ like the safety man in right behind you. Yes use those earplugs and PPE!!

[@syitiger9072]

Depends if there are natural disasters they might have to work in a storm or bad weather

[@juliodelrio1737]

You guys are extremely courageous people doing what you do.. so thank you for you're hard work....stay safe!!!

[@davidlipton2424]

I worked for Con Edison, Westchester Division 36 years. OMG, if I got caught near a Pad Mounted transformer without rubber gloves on like that, SUSPENSION! ONLY time without would be ALL power off. Very simple job, except when the 7.2KV bushings are alive. Be Safe Everyone

[@joes2085]

I was thinking the same thing. So much so that at the beginning I thought the power was off because of the lack of insulated gloves & face shield

[@joes2085]

and they knew they were being recorded

[@jonh901271]

The crews I work with isolate and de-energize the failed transformer prior to touching any cables, and still wear insulating gloves and FR clothing. They would be fired immediately if caught without.

[@BD-ly7xj]

We open it up ground it. Ground the parking stand and have a mat.

[@electrojag1]

I do telecom line work and have experience in electrical and mostly low volt electrical and found this whole video very fascinating! This whole crew is very professional and has definitely done this before.

[@nohandle62]

These guys have a fascinating job. I'm glad they're brave enough to do it because I'm not.

[@Sarocco1]

you´d be startled with what people do for a living. I work in holes in the ground that are deeper than my height, and sometimes they cave in. I earn a decent living, but not as good as a guy behind a screen. my job is hazardous as hell, and he gets bad eye sight and an early retirement.

[@Kanglar]

@@Sarocco1 That's because the guy behind the screen has more responsibility. I'm an engineer and not the actual electrician down in the mud and rain doing the work, but if I fuck something up the electricians die. That's why I get paid more than they do even tho I'm sitting in front a screen and not out doing the dirty work.

[@Heroo01]

@@Kanglar also because your job requires a whole heck of a lot more knowledge and info than just doing field work. I'm fairly confident I could shadow a team for a while and easily be able to copy them, but it'd be a whole other story trying to decipher the physics and math that you have to deal with. that's why one is famous for requiring college degrees and the other is more interested in tenure and on-site experience.

[@raymondb4448]

Now I know how to replace mine when it goes bad. I bet I can get one on eBay from China.

[@southaussiegarbo2054]

Lol

[@Elfnetdesigns]

Yes but you will have to DC the primary at it's source fuse or closer or you will have live 7200 volts which is not ideal to have to deal with in close quarters. The unit in the video has a dead (DC'ed) primary and is shunted to the ground through that block they installed just in case someone closes the circuit up stream while they are working.

[@raymondb4448]

@@Elfnetdesigns My friend repaired a toaster once, I'm sure we can figure it out.

[@ryana1140]

Here central California the city I live the irrigation district is responsible to replace those! And also, I would have thought those things are that heavy!!!

[@neffam3]

@@Elfnetdesigns Omg elf!? What are you doing here? Small world man, small world.

[@leesuschrist]

You can tell these guys work together a lot. They all know what each other's next move is going to be.

[@syitiger9072]

Its lineman in general

[@FerociousPancake888]

The more you work together on a crew the less you tend to talk. If there’s a crew working in silence you know they have a good amount of experience working with each other.

[@stevennihipali3607]

When our transformer was being changed, we had about 20 of us out there watching. Nothing else to do but watch since all the power was out. To a whole 20 minutes or so. The lot up thg block with milwaukee tower lights, used milwaukee battery tools and even borrowed my m12 tower light... pretty freaking cool to watch

[@werewolflover8636]

Bless linemen for the extremely dangerous and often tiring and difficult job they do! These guys are unsung heroes when a storm hits and you’re living without power!

[@philkarn1761]

It's not dangerous when you're trained and follow the rules.

[@markopostable]

I’m a engineer on IEC MV-systems in Europe and it is always both interesting and inspiring what grid solutions are used around the world. Thank you for this detailed and in-depth video! 🤘 Stay safe ⚡️👷‍♂️

[@TheArtificiallyIntelligent]

Do you not use pad mount transformers?

[@sjokomelk]

@@TheArtificiallyIntelligent No. Never something this small. We use more kiosk style transformers for 100 houses. But we also run a 22kV distribution grid, and 400V 3-phase to the houses, so there are less voltage drop and losses involved.

[@marksommers6764]

I love watching efficient teamwork ! Trust in one's crewmembers is a good feeling . I've been lucky enough to train and work with pros !

[@nitetrane98]

Efficiently they would have put the old unit down near the new one and moved the new one to it's spot. The installer could have gone to work immediately instead of waiting for the lift guy to set the old one down.

[@SirProfessorBadass]

3:32 goodbye wrench

[@AffordBindEquipment]

now that's some sharp eyes right there!

[@numberpirate]

Not wrench, ratchet.

[@Shanidar1]

Wow...speechless.

[@Kredo800]

I was browsing to see that comment ))

[@Nomannen]

hahaha

[@brianclintone308]

I bet those guys loved having you hover around them with a camera

[@hgbugalou]

I am hoping he threw a sixer each in the back of the truck for thanks.

[@frontagulus]

I doubt he gave them a sixer - sort of guy that complains about an "eyesore" transformer box is probably "careful" how he spends other people's / his money....

[@Joe-pj7wh]

I mean it makes sure they do that job by the book. I’m more interested in what the back half of that transformer looks like.

[@geebopbaluba1591]

No they don’t

[@wb5mgr]

A good crew always works like their work will later be seen by others. Should not bother them. You should assume these days someone may be recording you either like this or on a home surveillance system. He was probably just curious.

[@vincemarquez2142]

Real polite of you to record them the whole time they're working. Cmon now

[@randallwingett]

As a professional photographer and videographer, I always ask the subjects, in this case the PUD Foreman their permission to record video for posting on my KZbin channel. Not once in more than 10 years doing this have I been denied. Most people are flattered. You just have to be careful not to get in their way.

[@vincemarquez2142]

@@randallwingett Oh I see. Well I apologize if I came off as rude

[@randallwingett]

No problem. You gave me an opportunity to explain how to do this properly. Thank you for your comment and response!

[@mylynne1953]

Aging and unsightly. Oh my we can't possibly have that eyesore in this prestigious neighborhood. Good heavens whatever will the Clairmonts think of us.

[@randallwingett]

So funny! The best comment so far! Thanks for watching!

[@dochlldy]

I used to build those boxes back in the 80's,first time I've seen one actually installed.

[@Fanta....]

Ahhh, so you know your way around boxes huh.... wanna meet up for coffee.

[@jonathanthomas2449]

@@Fanta.... sure

[@CL-vz6ch]

cool story

[@hj-mr5gg]

@@Fanta.... lol

[@railgap]

Look at the tremendous respect these guys have for that not-very-big-looking transformer! Observe the very careful procedures they go through to work on this stuff safely. It's no joke. The amount of power available in this little point of presence from the grid is difficult for most folks to fathom. It's so great that it's hard for ME to wrap my head around it, and I have worked with both industrial high voltage equipment and laboratory HV stuff. Look, _forget_about_ electrocution! At high power levels, the phenomenon of Arc Flash comes into play, and it's nasty. Limbs can be burned off - leaving a charred stump - by an electrical arc in seconds. Permanent blindness, or horrible disfigurement can happen, and that's if you live. The warning stickers should read: "Danger: You Will Suffer The Whole Time You Are Dying". Keep this particular genie bottle closed.

[@jovetj]

Please lecture whenever you can that _electrocution_ means *death.* This fact seems lost on most people today who hear or assume incorrect usage and adopt it themselves.

[@chungate9085]

As an active utility locator, this is satisfying to watch

[@briancarroll3288]

Great job !! But you forgot to put new " NOLOX " on those AL conductors !!!

[@barrythompson9179]

This is the best video to show you how to break every safety rule in the industry. I have shown this video many times in my training groups. The laughter last for weeks. This is a perfect example of crews doing things the way they always have. Thinking they are safe! I can just hear the guy with no safety glasses, hard hat, or rubber gloves-saying I am the safest lineman every. Mama's don't let your baby's work here.

[@randallwingett]

I am pleased that you are making use of this video for training purposes. Having 2.3M views, it is my third most viewed video! It should be obvious to you that this is not a how-to video, nor was it staged. It is a documentary video that I recorded on speculation. Of course, as always, I got permission in advance by the Clallam County PUD crew to record the process of replacing an old pad-mounted transformer for posting on my KZbin channel. Showing improper safety procedures, as you assert, can be as valuable as showing the proper safety procedures. Speaking of which, have you considered recording a video demonstrating the correct safety precautions? Thank you for your comment and for using this video as a training tool!

[@StoneStraiff]

@@randallwingett Well said

[@jamesharris2935]

100 percent….. mind blowingly wrong

[@GeekBoyMN]

A buddy and I lived in an apartment in Houston around 2003 that had a bigger version of that go out during a storm over a weekend. At first we were told it wouldn't be repaired until Monday but someone in management approved the extra fees to get it done the next morning. That one was about 3x as big but it powered 2 buildings with 18 or 21 units (3 floors) each. Before the old unit crapped out the lights flickered a lot, especially when A/C units turned on or off. After the new transformer was installed there was barely any flickering.

[@СергійДовженко-м6к]

I`m an electrician and I love this vid. Good work! Greetings from Ukraine!

[@bnbcraft6666]

Hope your safe man

[@fitybux4664]

@@bnbcraft6666 you're

[@achong007]

I was always wondering what was in those boxes when I was a kid. I finally get to see it on video here. Thank you :)

[@Len_M.]

Not all of them are Power, some are Telecommunications.

[@fitybux4664]

Inside these boxes are death for kids. You're lucky you didn't open it. 10kV and above.

[@jovetj]

@@Len_M. Telcom peds look completely different.

[@chrisrizzo6624]

Good job guys. Thanks. Our concrete pad mounted transformer was slowly slipping off the pad, over the years, as the soil underneath it slowly settled on the side of a ravine. I was afraid the cables inside of it would snap.

[@danna140]

work for LADWP so I know these guys deserve every penny they make, they earned it !! electricity is a killer if not careful

[@PootsPastures]

We loved watching our wire getting pulled as well as our transformer being set, and we got a great video out of it. Thanks for sharing!

[@nukeman360]

lmao you love watching those boys pull your wire?

[@kaspervestergaard2383]

;) @@nukeman360

[@jerryumfress9030]

Years ago I was a switchgear tech with GE. One day our engineer took a call from a substation east Tennessee. Our boss asked the sight engineer what was the problem with the transformer, and he replied " it ain't there anymore "

[@michaelkonstantellis3075]

I like how the guy was wrapping tape barehanded and the buddy brings out the shotgun stick to park the phases 😂

[@YipperX5]

for being in the elements for 50 years, those bus bars looked fantastic! I have seen newer busbars on smaller systems corrode so much that the entire bar turned into dust. 70's shit is built different.

[@andrewcbro]

Tx from the 50s we’re even better. Copper windings and no leaks 70!yrs on. !!

[@billstathakos]

Seriously how would have thought it was that kind of a process. Great video

[@dpz9872]

You guys are awesome. Maybe you could show LAPD how to safely dispose of some fireworks. 👌

[@jayjaynella4539]

Lots of laughs there. These blokes replaced the transformer without a fireworks show.

[@dpz9872]

@@CoosaRising I agree with you 99%. And America isn't just a country it's a business. 🇺🇸🗽

[@godawgs3555]

I have terminated thousands and thousands of aluminum conductors in a mechanical lug and I have NEVER used an impact to tighten my lugs. Always tighten enough to hold cable in lug firmly, and then torque to lug specifications. I’ve had many times where I’ve gone into a switchgear and unlugged a conductor just to have the strands break off. They did a great job just crazy to see that be taught and accepted among so many guys that were there…

[@NickDangerThirdGuy]

I was a little surprised that they weren't torqueing the bus connections. I've never terminated aluminum, but I've landed plenty of copper in switch gear and all was torqued to spec regardless of using an impact or ratchet for the initial tightening. No new grease either. Hmmm.

[@randomjoe4106]

Look at 3:30 and see where he leaves the ratchet on the bus of the old transformer. I figured that might have something to do with them using the impact to re-install. LOL

[@johnd5398]

I knew if I scrolled long enough I'd find that one dipshit whing that they were doing it wrong. Gotta love youtube engineers.

[@fitybux4664]

It was weird to not see them clamp the cables directly in the center of the bare wire. Instead, they just clamped where ever, just as fast as possible.

[@philkarn1761]

Is any kind of anti-oxidant goop ever used on aluminum conductors of this size?

[@Bababooski]

They didn't sweep off all that junk from the concrete pad. My OCD is through the roof.

[@PimpTwzt]

Ditto

[@wayneschenk5512]

Yep same

[@minhnghitang1]

Hi everyone! I need some pictures transformers underground in this case. plz help me

[@mantroid]

That's because everyone was thinking "that ain't my job".

[@carbide1968]

Me too.

[@mmarczuk1976]

cool to see one how they look like on the inside. how many homes can one of these support?

[@phatadam123]

I got to watch this in my backyard one night at 2 a.m. - they had a small skid-tracked lift - it was quite the site to watch these experts work. also it was 100 degrees. they should be included in front line workers :)

[@ingridarlington5745]

We have one on our heavily wooded 10+acres. Cool feature. We don't have to worry about trees falling or heavy ice storms on the electrical lines. We also save from having fried squirrels.

[@jovetj]

Squirrels and other animals can still get in there (did you see the cable entrance area is all open?) especially if they can borrow through soil. Underground service may be safe from trees that don't land squarely on the transformer, but that doesn't mean your electricity is uninterruptible. Underground service can be flooded. Animals can damage the cables. Humans can damage the cables. Tree roots can damage the cables. Moving ground (frost, earthquakes, etc) can damage he cables. The cables may just wear out. Diagnosing problems with the cables is much more difficult since they can't be readily seen.

[@gingersnap7793]

In my neighborhood all the drug dealers would use them as their office desk.

[@rjdatdude23]

What a lovely neighborhood

[@commonsenserules7995]

It would be interesting to know how long that transformer was in service, when it was installed and the manufacturer. I worked for a major transformer manufacturer in the 70's. While in their employment, a utility retired one of the first pole type transformers the company manufactured. It was badly rusted and corroded after thirty years of service. The newer models wouldn't rust or show that much deterioration as the early transformer, just a little faded due to better paint and manufacturing methods.

[@melvinlazear8068]

was put in in 1973

[@Awesomes007]

I sat up a chair and watched them replace one of these - essentially in my front yard. They redid the pad and everything. It was great. Nothing to do inside anyway without power.

[@tn_ryanb]

I always wondered what was inside those ground level transformers. Thanks for the video.

[@TerryTheriot]

That ERMCO transformer is manufactured in Dyersburg,TN. I have delivered a bunch of them over the last 20 years.

[@raymartin1912]

the little details like not cleaning the concrete pad before putting down the new box shows theres guys that take pride in their work and theres just these guys

[@MegaBigdaddy1998]

Did not know these were transformers. As kids we always called them "Green boxes" whenever we would play games. "Green box is safe" Good ol times

[@BGTech1]

The memories 😭😭

[@fitybux4664]

It's not in any way safe to be around these boxes, even when they're closed up.

[@jovetj]

@@fitybux4664 There's nothing wrong being around them. Don't beat on them, don't try and open them, and don't fence them in.

[@jovetj]

Not all "green boxes" are transformers. Some contain only switching equipment.

[@sargepent9815]

High voltage is dangerous work. These guys did a great job.

[@georgew.5639]

Wow! I’m surprised that they didn’t ignore you and forget all about it well done. 😊

[@FireTech7]

Holy crap I've always wanted to see what's inside these

[@whiteknightcat]

All that's visible are the connectors in front. The actual guts of the transformer, the windings, are sealed in the back half of the unit.

[@Salah.alkhalifa]

Being in this profession for 22 years, I think those guys have done neat job.

[@johnarmenta2199]

What would you say about the use of their PPE?

[@gddeen1]

One or two soundings of a train whistle behind them would energize them for more protection. It seems like they have lost all fear.

[@billcoley8520]

Gary Deen I would like to see the guys with his head inside the working and his beeper would be on silent mode. That buzzing would throw him 20 in the air.

[@englandrasmussen3111]

I am glad we could see the connections on the transformer. I didnt realize they used those boots for the highside. Sweet video

[@jovetj]

Boots?

[@WJCTechyman]

Neat, I never knew how the connections were terminated in these until now. Thanks for sharing.

[@fitybux4664]

Those booted connectors carry 10kV or more. That's enough to fry you bad enough they'd have to use dental records to identify the corpse.

[@deltadelta2247]

As someone who does that for a living they violated safety rules when getting in there without gloves on. Both of those primaries have 7200 volts each that's called instant death

[@brotharobmusic]

They been doing it for so long they're getting comfortable

[@KableGuyCGY]

@@brotharobmusic I went to school with a guy who got comfortable with electricity, you know what happened to him?? HE DIED!

[@PokemonLord666]

Okay but have y’all ever scratched one of those when it’s weathered and chalky? 😖😖😖

[@theotheleo6830]

I'm surprised only one person was wearing safety glasses. Where I used to work, if an employee was caught not wearing the proper PPE, the punishment ranged anywhere from suspension to termination if they had a prior violation.

[@ItsMe-vg4vj]

I'd like to see a full mat under the lineman.

[@ukaszkapica8398]

If the grid was live I'd say that safety here is quite poor. @@ItsMe-vg4vj

[@botox9907]

Respect for the people who really power our country!

[@nemo227]

We have a pad mounted fuse box two houses down the street. It's where they connected a portable generator when they had to dig up an underground power cable to make a splice. Underground cable had just a pinhole and power for the 22 homes on the street was out for about 24 hours. Those guys earn their pay.

[@ianbutler1983]

I have one of those and I often wondered what was inside it. Thanks.

[@Elfnetdesigns]

Mineral oil, copper winding and iron core.. Basically an old school wall wart on steroids.

[@fitybux4664]

@@Elfnetdesigns Sometimes vegetable oil with newer environmentally friendly ones. (Not sure how they prevent it from going rancid. Some magical chemical mixture I'm sure.)

[@jfmc2581]

Did the guy ever get his Socket wrench off the old one?? 3:29

[@robertredditt7973]

My first rule of safety for electricians, if you do not have to work on it hot, DON'T, this is not a feed thru TX so it should have some gates at a pole you can disconnect, or it is getting its power from a feed thru TX somewhere down the line that can be disconnected, or even from a 12470 volt terminal box that is near by. If I had designed this I would have use one of the three way I described, to wire this neighborhood. Think safety first not cost.

[@defleppard6609]

Those have been going out allot this summer. We had one that was not hot and had no pressure when you pull on the relief valve so we put a new 8 amp fuse in it and it buzzed at us for a little bit and then went poof.

[@85rx7se]

Here in Apex, NC we have those in our development and also some of the smaller plastic cased units near some of the houses.

[@GoCoyote]

I knew a guy whose father was killed by putting his hand into the transformer box without gloves. conductive dust had coated the connections. Stuck his hands in, then as he drew them out, pulled out an arc. First guy working without gloves was not following proper work practice even if the power was switched of on the high side. Always assume the system is hot even after switching off power. Assuming that it still may be hot has saved my life several times. (Backfed inverter without anti islanding, one phase of a three phase circuit landed on another breaker, and No Blow Zinsco main breaker still passing current after shut off. I learned this lesson on my first job as an apprentice when the boss said the power was off on a circuit. Lost a good pair of klien's for that. Please work safe, you and your family deserve to have you come home whole and healthy every day.

[@alittlebirdie8085]

*3-inch Wolf Spiders:* _"The day stands out like 9/11 and Pearl Harbor. Everything we worked for was gone in an instant."_ 😭😭😭

[@Moose_338]

Didn't even sweep the pad off before placing the new one

[@KKhhoorrnniittee]

Maybe it wasn't on the work order.

[@kingjames4886]

I love how the one guy is still using the enormous safety pole while the other guy just dives in there :P

[@GuyWhoReviewsStuff]

Love the vid, My electric company just replaced ours a few months ago. It was just 2 guys that did it and took them about 3 hours to do and we were without power for about 2 hours.

[@NRC073]

What is this black magic sorcery? Preventative maintenance? What is that.... Never heard of it in South Africa...

[@cobrasvt347]

WOW !!!!! I'm just gonna do what I know how to do best and keep my mouth shut and my opinions to myself.

[@Mastertech6969]

Update video let’s see if this crew is still alive

[@MrT13]

Foreman is definitely fired lol

[@bud5041]

Assuming this is a loop feed and not a radial feed, why not close the loop, isolate and ground the primaries. That way you're not messing with anything energized.

[@sergeantseven4240]

They had the feeders parked and possibly closed so the primary wasn't connected until the end when they used the hot stick.

[@MrT13]

Sergeant Seven parked is open not closed. And no they did this whole deal hot. For no reason. And foreman probably got fired. This whole video is straight trash lol

[@MrT13]

@Ben T. yea possible but induced voltage really isn’t that common. Especially if it’s a bunch of houses like that community. Isolated house yea maybe but with a community the generator will try and run the whole neighborhood and trip right away. This looks like an average loop style area. Not much of a chance

[@MrT13]

@Ben T. it’s a bunch of crap. Just iso the section. Ground primary’s. Don’t undo each wire on taps just pull whole tap. Fold grounding in. Pull tx. Put new tx. Plug elbows. Energize. Test voltage. Pull bayonet. Put taps and set screws and put fuse in. I’ve done them with a time out of less than 10 minutes. And it was safe.

[@deltadelta2247]

And the fact that they got in there without hot gloves while it was energized was messed up

[@fn0rd-f5o]

No doubt about it, Electrical workers have a tough job. Much appreciated, and super interesting to watch! I've been getting in to watching bobsdecline lately and this came up on my youtube playlist.

[@killroy9628]

Always wanted to see this done...now I have. Thank you very much 🙂

[@peterh1875]

Power company did something like this in the street where my in-laws live. Somebody goofed, and when it went live it sent 27,000V into all the homes along the street. That got expensive for the power company!

[@Hexnilium]

How many fires were started?

[@joppepeelen]

by the looks of it that is impossible in this box. the hig voltage side uses these weird rubber plugs , cant be connected to the bare wires on the right that carry to the homes. maybe the unit was faulty ?

[@fitybux4664]

@@joppepeelen They didn't bother to properly install caps on the weird rubber plugs. One of the bare 120VAC connector wires could touch the weird rubber plug 10kV wire and send 10kV to a house.

[@dougsweldingfabrication953]

Another thing I would never want to do. Thank you to the people who are taken for granted, when you turn on your lights.

[@PilotVBall]

He left his wrench in the old transformer 🤦‍♂️

[@Ano_ny]

No, the bottom was open

[@Hurtydwarf]

@@Ano_ny It was left in the set screw on the right side. But theres a jump cut of it being lifted to the truck open and it being set on the truck closed, so chances are they pulled it out when they shut the lid on the old one.

[@Cheez1979]

Awesome video I always wondered how they change them out.

[@spidersinspace1099]

Great video, thanks for showing this. I really enjoyed watching these guys work.

[@DocNo27]

-Holy cow - they replaced it because you thought it was an eyesore? And people wonder why things constantly get more expensive?!?- Saw the utility post down below that the transformer had other issues that warranted replacement - good to know it wasn't just a cosmetic thing. There's enough waste in the world as it is. Also freaking aluminum wire - glad it's them screwing with it and not me. Hate that stuff but understand why they use it for service cable.

[@rublar75]

No torquing? When are they going to come out with an torque (wrench) impact cordless drill??

[@patrickwalker8583]

Looks like they used PFT spec on these lugs

[@kalijasin]

I thought you suppose to use a hand torque wrench like mechanics use to torque it down?

[@stargazer7644]

Nasa has one but they cost $100 grand.

[@MrT13]

Impact works fine.

[@roentgen226]

"oh hey can i keep the old transformer?"

[@roentgen226]

If there's something i wont throw out it is a transformer

[@johnpodo]

@@roentgen226 Its the copper, massive amounts of copper, other metals I would sell at a premium price.

[@netking66]

Unless it is really old it will be sent off for refurbishment then re-sold for about $US1600

[@treyivey5431]

We need more camera guys to follow our utilities crews around. We won’t have to worry about 10 men watching and one man working anymore

[@Daschickenify]

That happens in Georgia all the time with road construction. Put up cones, lower speed limit by 20 mph, do nothing for 2 years. Slow work for 6 years, bunch of guys standing around 1 guy working, then speeds up at the end.

[@jovetj]

@@Daschickenify Union trade agreements. Trades have to wait for their time to shine and are not allowed to do any work of another trade.

[@arcamean785]

Those things always terrified me as a kid because the warnings and the buzzing made it seem like they were one bump from killing someone that touched it.

[@silverdrillpickle7596]

Thanks guys. See you in 25 years.

[@alscompleteoutdoor9091]

My question is,its hot out of the ground so how do they change it with it being hot like that?,can they shut it off power coming in?

[@rupe53]

alex bellis ... yes, they can pull the fuse at the end of the line. Usually that's the end of the street or the nearest pole.

[@fordsrmaster]

@@rupe53 But that doesn't prevent home owners from having back-up generators hooked up incorrectly and back-feeding into the lines. You should always treat every wire like a live wire, even if you think it's de-powered.

[@rupe53]

@@fordsrmaster ... in my business there's no such thing as THINKING it's dead. You test first and KNOW it's dead fer sure! (25 year generator tech)

[@southaussiegarbo2054]

@@fordsrmaster power wont run at all if a fuse is removed. Where i live they can etiher A. Turn off at the main building(big city based call tower etc) B. Turn off at sub station. C. Toss a wet rag ontop a pole to short it out.

[@hdl454154]

@@southaussiegarbo2054 you clearly don't have any idea of how this works. If anyone of the home owners has a backup generator that is (incorrectly) directly hooked up to the mains without a transfer switch, it will energize the transformer from the secondary side regardless if they pull the fuse on the primary side.

[@ryans413]

As I kid I use to sit on those and was curious of the buzzing noise I herd. Looking at this now maybe it’s a good idea not too sit on it lol

[@hotrodhog2170]

No harm in sitting on them. Of course in a lightening storm, I wouldn't want to be around it. Probably about 20 gallons of toxic oil in them.

[@monad_tcp]

I've seem one explode, I also love the humming sound they make when the network is overloaded.

[@MrT13]

They hum without any load as well.

[@gsp49]

The one in my yard hums 24/7

[@davidhohlen310]

Well after reading the "show more", what more could you cry about! We are damn fortunate to have these people to keep our lights on. And down here in Florida, during hurricane season, when your in the middle of one, I can promise you that more people down here are praying for electricity, than anywhere in the state, and a few others, at church for GOD. I mean c'mon can God turn our AC's back on down here. All BS aside, I have no complaints against FPL, we have been through 3 major hurricanes and they came through for us!

[@randallwingett]

David, thank you for putting things into perspective.

[@MaxiKevey]

I don't know what I find more concerning. That they reused the bend, and probaby broken tips of the wires again or that they fastened them with an impact drill.

[@thomasdominguez8421]

I know those lugs get stripped out using an impact happened to us one time at a shutdown i always use tork wrench

[@babaregi5934]

@@thomasdominguez8421 The lug driver was a torque bit I think. Each bit is a different setting of torque.

[@chipethecat]

First Energy came and replaced ours with an nice new green box too.

[@leonardwilcox4570]

I was a 1st class lineman for 41 years with central maine power this is not the safe way to do this... makes me cringe to watch. they need to be retrained before some one gets killed.

[@MrT13]

Lol to say the least. But they know better.

[@philpullan8595]

What's the thing at the end he twists with the pole? Kind of looks like a old dipstick handle

[@MrT13]

Probably the insulating cap or plug.

[@leonardwilcox4570]

@@philpullan8595 Its a loadbreak elbow it feeds the voltage to the transformer

[@leonardwilcox4570]

@@MrT13 loadbreak elbow they remove them and install them on a parking bushing so they can replace the transformer

[@darrenbeavers8099]

Us old timers dont use a impact wrench to tighten our aluminum lugs down they should actually be torqued.....cool vid easy money

[@gtgodbear6320]

I remember always climbing and playing on those as a kid. Even when it flooded I used to sit on it as an island. I wonder what would have happened if the Transformer blew when I was sitting on it?

[@jayjaynella4539]

Grilled and charred buns for you!! Special order.

[@fitybux4664]

You probably experienced high levels of EMF as a kid. Not great.