[Boatanchors] Line noise

[Singley, Rodger]

Several years ago I was outside checking the Thanksgiving turkey on the smoker when I saw a flash and heard a bang.  About half a mile away one phase of the HV line had broken loose from its insulator and was slapping against the wooden pole with the wind gusts.  I called the providers number and got the "we understand there is a problem, please wait for the first available operator" message and after 10 minutes on hold reported the trouble.  The response was we will have someone out the next day.  By this point the pole was on fire and I called a deputy sheriff friend who via radio dispatch placed a very angry call and a service truck was sent out immediately.  The volunteer fire department was already on scene watching and waiting for the power to be cut.  By the time the power truck arrived, the pole was fully involved, the original wire had broken and started a grass fire and was bouncing around in the road.

The good news in the whole scenario was the MV distribution system feeding my area was tapped off an earlier substation so we didn't lose power.  Not surprisingly, Ameren service hasn't improved any over the years but a backup generator has taken away some of their "power" over us.

Rodger WQ9E

-----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net on behalf of john
Sent: Sun 5/16/2010 7:05 AM
To: Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Line noise
 
Dennis notes:

"Technician from BG&E responded quickly, agreed
there was a problem, then informed me that he could/would do nothing
since no "break in service" had been reported and went on his way.
The line burned through and fell down on the ground the next day at
which time a crew finally showed up and made repairs."

You must have been a pretty good shot with a .22 !

John K5MO

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