Fw: [KCDXC] KCK accident

[Bob Roske]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alex, KU1CW" <ku1cw at yahoo.com>
To: "kcdxc" <kcdxc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2008 8:31 PM
Subject: [KCDXC] KCK accident


> Sad news. Anyone know details? What are the calls?
> 
> 
> http://www.kmbc.com/news/16871003/detail.html?rss=kc1&psp=news

> KC0TIG and his son were electrocuted today while trying to put up an  
> antenna.
> 
> <http://tinyurl.com/6btuas>
> 
> <http://www.kmbc.com/news/16871003/detail.html>
> 
> <http://tinyurl.com/66988d>
> 
> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
> 
> THESE NEWS ITEMS MOTIVATED CHUCK KRALY, K0XM, TO WRITE THIS MESSAGE:
> 
> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
> 
> I just saw this one on the news, and had to write a this message to be  
> passed on to the ham community, especially the newer hams.
> 
> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
> 
> We lost another ham today, and it is a very sad event. The parties  
> involved, were installing a Comet FIBERGLASS antenna, that came in  
> contact with a single 7620V power line. Now how do I know what the  
> exact voltage is? I built and maintained the substation that fed this  
> circuit. I spent 27 yrears as a substaion technician for the Board of  
> Public Utilities. I am still in this field. So, I feel I have some  
> experience in what I am passing along.
> 
> In a nutshell, the location of the accident was a few blocks from the  
> substation. The wires you see going thru the residential areas are AT  
> MINUMUM 7200 volts from each wire to ground, and between any two of  
> them is 13,800 volts. This is nothing to play with at any time. I have  
> seen a fault TOTALLY vaporize 1" copper buss (which is solid). Imagine  
> what it can do to a human.
> 
> Each wire is fed from what is called a 3 phase line. From there, it  
> can be broken off and sent down a property line as a single wire.  
> Those are called "laterals" Yes, you will see a device at the break  
> out point, and this is a fuse. BUT the caution needs to be conveyed.  
> These fuses are in the 60-100 amp range. This is at 7200 volts. On top  
> of that, anytime a tree falls across a line, or a pole gets hit, there  
> is a circuit on the "feeder" at the substaion that AUTOMATICALLY  
> closes the fedder back in, and TRIES to restore the power to the area.  
> Some of these "reclosers" can operate 2-5 times, depending on how they  
> are set. Now from the substaion end, the protective device is set for  
> the full fault capabilites of the line. In the case of BPU, this can  
> be set at 600 AMPS, and multiples of that value. The protective  
> devices are set for what is called a "time" or and "instantaneous"  
> operation. Picture a fast blow fuse and a slow blow, and you will  
> understand the difference in the settings. These setting are at  
> multiple of the 600 amp value. So, if there is a direct short, then it  
> will not trip until it reaches a value at, oh lets say, 8 times that  
> value. So we are looking at 4800 amps. and this is at 7200 volts and  
> lower. So, it trips, then it energizes it AGAIN. The possiblity of  
> survival is slim and none.
> 
> Now remember how I said they were installing a FIBERGLASS antenna?  
> Well guess what. It is metal inside. Yes, fiberglass does not radiate  
> as we all know. Hence the metal. That is what caused the accident.  
> They got too close to the line (remember your 'magnetic lines of flux'  
> theory? If not, look it up on the web). There is a minimum approach  
> area that MUST be followed. This changes for ALL voltages. This  
> distance must NOT be broken. If it is a flashover will happen, and it  
> is not pretty. Electricity will find the shortest path to ground. In  
> this case it was a couple of men.
> 
> Folks, this is nothing to take chances with. In my almost 30 yrs as a  
> ham, and 27 yrs in the power utility field, I have seen way too many  
> "accidents." Stop, look and if it is close or SEEMS that way- DON'T.  
> Find another place. High voltage lines are NOT forgiving. Your life  
> depends on it. You always hear "it is the amps not the volts" well I  
> can tell you when you get at these levels, who is going to argue what  
> killed the person who had the accident. PLEASE ,PLEASE follow the  
> warnings. ANYWHERE close is too close.
> 
> Stay safe, and I hope we can enjoy many more years of hamming.
> 
> Thanks Guys,
> 
> Chuck Kraly, K0XM