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

hufpc8w3adnk65 · 2015-04-11 07:42:42

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…

11-04-2015 8:42am

#1

hufpc8w3adnk65

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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>

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Comments

#2 11-04-2015 10:05am

Mr Magnolia

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

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#3 11-04-2015 4:23pm

bassey

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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?

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#4 12-04-2015 10:04am

2011

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

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#5 12-04-2015 10:09am

2011

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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.

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#6 12-04-2015 10:17am

2011

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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.

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#7 12-04-2015 10:24am

meercat

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

1
#8 12-04-2015 11:41am

2011

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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.

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#9 14-04-2015 5:39pm

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

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#10 16-04-2015 10:44pm

frankmul

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

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#11 25-04-2015 10:05pm

Gate Automation

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It was underground connection.

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#12 26-04-2015 8:52am

meath4sam

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Wall insulated by builder so he extended the socket cables.

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#13 24-06-2015 11:29pm

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>2MW supply
100A per phase max. load

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#14 14-09-2015 6:57pm

brightspark

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#15 14-09-2015 7:35pm

brightspark

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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

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#16 14-09-2015 9:11pm

2011

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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.

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#17 18-10-2015 12:19am

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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.

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#18 18-10-2015 12:26am

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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.

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#19 18-10-2015 12:36am

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

Still in commission. Currently undergoing a refit.

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#20 13-12-2015 7:36pm

DublinDilbert

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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

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#21 18-12-2015 6:12am

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12 Volt

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#22 03-01-2016 9:49pm

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The Spire Dublin.

14 x Super Sharpies

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#23 01-09-2016 1:15am

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#24 25-09-2016 10:56pm

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

Anyone seen one of these scissor lift chargers before?

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#25 06-01-2017 6:01pm

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#26 20-01-2017 5:33pm

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#27 12-02-2017 9:49pm

2011

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

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#28 14-02-2017 9:39am

tnegun

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

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#29 03-03-2017 2:43pm

Andrea B.

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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!!

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#30 20-02-2018 10:12pm

2011

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What a beauty!

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#31 20-02-2018 10:20pm

2011

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

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