The WTF Electrical Photo Thread - NO CHAT - JUST PICS - Read post #1 before posting

hufpc8w3adnk65

I robbed this idea from the plumbing thread but think we should post pictures here of any crazy electrical issues we find or things that are just bonkers!


<Mod edit>

A few rules about posting here:

1. No identifying information whatsoever.
(This also means company names are not to appear in photos).

2. Size photos properly.

3. Let's try to focus on photos and keep chat to a minimum. No quoting pics/posts please. If you would like to discuss something feel free to start a thread.

4. Remember the Forum Charter still applies.

5. If you arent sure about an image then PM the mods to ask before posting.

Enjoy

</Mod edit>

Mr Magnolia

Does it have to be pictures we've taken ourselves?

bassey

I have a perfect picture for this. On a job in Germany a few weeks ago I was testing all the sockets for power, the first socket on a dado had power but none of the rest did, the culprit?



Invisible wires?

2011

This shows the importance of crimping the ferrules properly. The cables from the load supply of a soft starter simply fell out :eek:

2011

This demonstrates the importance of carrying out an insulation resistance test (Meggar test). This cable was joined in a "submarine joint". Unfortunately the joint was not very good because the neutral was shorting to one of the phases.

2011

There was an issue with a popular 63A switch fuse arrangement that was on sale throughout Ireland.
The 10 sq. link cable failed at the point where the lug was attached, causing it to overheat.

meercat

This demonstrates the importance of periodically checking connections and fuse tightness.

2011

This problem is kind of hard to see.
The issue was that the earth cable was massively undersized. I think that it was a 75 sq. and each phase had two 185 sq. cables.

I've seen a few of these from time to time. Both flavours, Double male, double female and splitters with two males one female.

frankmul

This and more on this site
http://professional-electrician.com/caughtoncamera/caught-on-camera-march-2015/

Gate Automation

It was underground connection.

meath4sam

Wall insulated by builder so he extended the socket cables.

>2MW supply
100A per phase max. load

brightspark

brightspark

I think so, I had spotted the plugtop turning brown and found it just like that.

At least a gutter bolt would have made a good connection

2011

This picture shows open heart surgery on a ACB (air cuit breaker) to replace a failed shunt relay.
I was a little nervous as the powerful spring in the breaker was charged and it was not possible to discharge prior to working on it :eek:



The next picture shows an injection test of the breaker.
This was carried out at a very low voltage (around 0.01 volts) and a very high current (>2000 amps) to ensure that it operates as per design intent.

These relics will give you sunburn. Circa 1950.

Operators had to follow their target on stage while feeding a carbon arc electrode to maintain the arc watching through a welding mask lense.




Carbon Electrode & Reflector




Transformer ~ 4.5kVA I think




Control panel.




Gubbins + another control dofer.




None of this fancy shunt business. Full load wired through the ammeter.

2 x 100kVA phase synced 3 phase gensets. Supplying a 90 kVA distro.





150mm² interconnecting links 30mm² earth electrode buried 4 inches into terra firma.

Theatre switch room. Installed prior to the advent of plastics.



Still in commission. Currently undergoing a refit.

DublinDilbert

Fixing a shower door yesterday, hit the wall where the shower was, sparks shoot out the bottom of the shower and land in the shower tray. Decided a new shower was in order.

Taking out the old shower found what caused the sparks, a wood screw which was on top of the heating tank shorted the main live connection and the tank.

It was installed before my time, could of easily been fatal if the shower had of been in use.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gjxab87en7ytfh3/photo%2012-12-2015%2020%2018%2028.jpg?dl=0

12 Volt

The Spire Dublin.



14 x Super Sharpies

I think we've got our metal doors crossed. Clicky.

Anyone seen one of these scissor lift chargers before?

2011

A view from the roof of Covanta's waste to energy facility in Poolbeg, Dublin.
An impressive facility!

tnegun

I'm not a sparks but I reckon there is something wrong here

Andrea B.

Was helping someone tidy up apartment between tenants.
Storage heaters timeclock and relay. Immersion was a remnant of gold shield, wired back to storage heater circuit. This meant that no boost function during day............but there was and further, during day, the storage heaters could be energised when their spur was switched on!!
The tails I have removed in image below are 1.5's which were parelleled with power in, and I traced them back to rear of a 13A socket in livingroom!!

So, during day, the storage heater and immersion circuit was supplying the load side of relay and associated circuits via a 1.5 t+e!!

2011

What a beauty!

2011

No barriers to prevent someone touching 20,000 volt connections :eek:

Tuco88

Is post 39 in the UK/EU? Thats odd looking block work/Blocks.

My drill just wanted to know...

2011

Tuco88 wrote: »

Is post 39 in the UK/EU? Thats odd looking block work/Blocks.

Czech Republic.

2011

Not the most beautiful panel, but there are other issues: Single core conductors carrying AC current should not pass through a ferrous metal plate.... :eek:

colm_mcm

Stolen from YLYL

dathi

halogen spots spray foamed in position in attic conversion had turned the foam black all around the spot and transformer

2011

I was at a FAT today at a well known facility and saw the above, so I had to ask a few questions.

So what is it?
One large custom built variable speed drive for a single motor (to be installed on a site in Ireland). The motor in question is 2.8 MW. The 3 phase output from the VSD is 690V. It takes two supples from a dedicated 6kV / 690V transformer, hence the 2 air circuit breakers. This transformer provides 2 its our output windings, one is star wound and one delta wound. This provides a 30 degree phase shift between the 2 outputs which is good for harmonic reduction (THD is just 12%). Once both supplies have been rectified they are connected to a common DC bus, then to a 5 paralleled R8i units which provide the variable frequency 3 phase 690V output to the motor. Interestingly the transformer output has no earth reference, therefore the motor does not either.

2011

Boom!
The internals of a small ABB VSD that shorted internally due to the ingress of moisture.

2011

Generally speaking we don't get to see busbar like this, I just happened to be present during the panel build so I took a quick photo. This particular example is rated for 4000 A. Parts of it were c & c machined. Excellent work IMHO.

2011

Last minute checks of a tidal turbine before deployment.

2011

I have just returned from Cuba. The standard of their electrical installations is pretty poor, but it is interesting as it illustrates just how much it is possible to get away with for those willing to take the risk.

The electrics shown in the next 3 photos are all installed outdoors and somehow continue to function:








I really like the way that they give you a choice of 110 or 220V socket outlets. What I find odd is that the sockets are identical, so there is nothing stopping a person from plugging a 110V device into a 220V socket. These ones are "posh" because they some with stickers, most don't. If you are lucky the voltage may be written in pencil above the outlet.

Steve

I've invented a new kind of fuseless fly lead called "The Welder's Buddy!"

Gate Automation

If you wondering why garden lights are tripping ;)

raspberrypi67

Thanks for a good laugh on some of these...

eirman

PAKISTAN

Cerco

Would that be a job for SGS approval. Sure all it needs is a few cable ties here and there.

Chuck Noland

7784A4F8-727B-4984-A255-D1A1C316197E.png

Got sent this but no idea of origin

Sleeper12

Press above the front door. To turn off a fuse you open the press door & remove the fuse box. You then put fuse box back in the press when job is done.

It can't be legal? You are moving all of the cables each time you need to turn off a trip switch. Can't be safe

meercat

Unbelievable

cheers sleeper12 I forgot about this threaD

(Sorry can’t get photos to attach straight)

meercat

Sure we’ll just lob the cables in the gutter!!!