Dr-Fix-It! Notebook Archive:
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John exhaled and sat down. "Look", he said, " Like water moving in a pipe, an ampere is a measurement of how much electric current is in a wire. It is actually a count of a specific number of electrons that pass a point in one second." A certain size wire can safely handle only a certain amount of amperage before it starts to get hot. That is why we have circuit breakers; to prevent excessive loads from overheating the wiring and causing fires." Todd nodded, "So, How do we get more of these amps?" "I need to run new circuits using big enough wires to handle the load. I will need to set a whole new breaker panel and get a new meter from Edison. I'll have to run heavy wire and a watertight outlets from the circuit panel to each Christmas tree. To be legal, I will need to use an expensive cord - called 'S O' cord - that can be laid on the ground for temporary lighting purposes. Otherwise, I would have to bury the wires or run them in conduit. I don't have time for either one of those options. 'S O' cord is about $3.85 per foot and I'll need 1000 feet. The circuit breakers, the panel and all the other stuff should add up to another $750. With taxes, shipping along with this and that; let's just call it five grand." Todd shrugged, "Do what you gotta do. 'Santa's Holiday Decorators' is nailing us for $32,000. Another $5000 won't even raise an eyebrow. I'll only say this: when Warren Fitzgerald flips that switch next Friday night, every light had better shine or you and I will both be looking for new jobs." John put his head in his hands," There is a chance that the city won't approve my idea . . ." Todd spun around in his chair to again face the computer screen, "That is not an option." The following Thursday, John was nervously pacing in the parking lot when a white Toyota pulled up. The plaque on the side of the car said: 'Code Compliance Division, Electrical'. A round man with a red face rolled out of the driver's side. He scanned the parking lot and then reviewed the papers on his clipboard. "Are you John?" "Yes." What gives here? I'm supposed to be inspecting an electrical panel and a meter socket for a 'T O P S'. But I don't see any construction going on. Normally, a Temporary Operating Power Supply is requested for the final stages of building construction. It is usually something an electrical contractor requests to enable the last stages of electrical construction and to test alarms and circuits before calling for the Final 'C of O' ; The Certificate of Occupancy inspection." John swallowed hard, "I called for the 'T O P S'. I need it before the Edison Power Company will run a line from that transformer . . .", he pointed to a pot transformer at the top of a power pole in the corner of the parking lot, " . . . to this meter socket and 400 amp breaker panel." The Inspector studied the breaker panel, " Well, its an exterior breaker panel, you've done that right. But, all the circuits are run with 'S O' cords laying on top of the ground. I don't like that much. Not very safe. The Code is very specific about cords laying on the ground." John took a deep breath, " I just need this until after Christmas. It is just a temporary service to feed Christmas decorations. " "What? You need a 400 amp panel and a special watt-hour-meter from Edison just to run some Christmas lights? " "Yes", John exhaled, "Lets just say that the decorators got a little carried away." "A LITTLE ?", The Inspector snorted, " Look, son. If that panel had power, there would some SERIOUS electricity running through those extension cords you have laying all over the lawn. All it would take is the wrong guy with the right shovel to cut into one of those cords. That could send him to the hospital - or worse." John stepped forward, " Look, I need that panel. I agree it is a little bit of a jury-rig. But it's legal. In the National Electrical Code, it says I can run 'S O' cords for temporary wiring applications - like Christmas decorations - for 90 days. " "Oh, you've been studying, have you? Well, if you read that paragraph again, son, you will see it actually says UP TO 90 days." The Inspector opened the passenger door of his Toyota and pulled the code book out of the side door pocket. He wetted a thumb on his tongue and quickly paged through the book, stopping several times before arriving at the passage he wanted. "Yes, here it is. National Electrical Code Section 305-3: Time Constraints. And I quote: ' Number 1: Temporary electrical power and lighting installations shall be permitted during the period of construction, remodeling, maintenance, repair, or demolition of buildings. Number 2: Temporary electrical power and lighting installations shall be permitted for a period not to exceed 90 days for Christmas decorative lighting, carnivals, and similar purposes. Temporary wiring shall be removed immediately upon completion of construction or purpose for which the wiring was installed.' End quote." The Inspector tossed the book onto the passenger seat of the Toyota and then closed the door. "Look, son. I'll sign the 'T O P S' permit. But, I'm also going to put a little reminder in my PDA. I'll allow this Temporary Operating Power Supply until January 5th. After that date it must be ALL removed. COMPLETELY! I'll be back here on January 6th to make sure you have this junk all taken down. Hear me? I WILL be back!" John nodded, "That is fine, I'll have it all removed by the fifth. Thanks for letting me do this." The inspector signed a green form and handed it to John. "Edison will want to see this. Then, post it prominently on the door of your breaker panel." He rearranged the papers on his clipboard putting a duplicate of John's permit at the bottom of the pile. Then he looked up, "I won't let you do this again. Christmas didn't just sneak up. We know when it is coming. There is no excuse to be tossing up some temporary BS like that . . " He pointed to John's breaker panel, " . . . Next year, plan ahead. Do it right. . ." John clutched his green tag. Green meant 'Go'. Obtaining a signed green 'T O P S' Permit was the biggest hurdle in getting power to the breaker panel. The Edison Power Company would now run wires from the transformer at the top of a power pole to John's meter-socket and 400-amp breaker panel. It didn't matter what The Inspector was saying. John had his green tag. Not knowing what he was agreeing to, John looked up and blurted, "OK, Inspector, Thanks!" The Inspector grunted. Without a word, he got into the white Toyota and drove away. John waved at the departing Toyota using the green tag as a flag, "Bye! Merry Christmas! Bye!' Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next |
