black oil stuff dripping out of cutout

[ExArmy]

just been to price for a board change and some remedial works, i noticed the cutout has a black puddle below it, and it's dripping out from inside it. sort of like a black oily stuff.
anyone seen this before??

 

[Knobhead]

Have a look at HOT POUR COMPOUNDS, TRINIDITE COMPOUNDS, CABLE BOX FILLING HV JOINTING, HV BUSBAR CHAMBERS 11KV I've always used Trinidite.

 

[Fast&Rough]

Widespread Use of Asbestos "Common types of asbestos products included cement, insulated wire and cable, joint compounds, packing, fireproofing spray, brake linings, roofing, tile, gaskets, and insulation. Asbestos was also used to insulate valves, equipment and machinery including boilers, pumps, and distilling plants to name just a few." I knew I read it somewhere haha

 

[Engineer54]

Have a look at HOT POUR COMPOUNDS, TRINIDITE COMPOUNDS, CABLE BOX FILLING HV JOINTING, HV BUSBAR CHAMBERS 11KV I've always used Trinidite.

To be honest, i really can't see why anyone would use hot pour compounds these days. There are so many alternatives now, for the moisture free termination and insulation of LV, MV, and HV that out perform most, if not all of the hot pour compounds. We'll just have to wait and see if they too, will stand the test of time as the older hot pours have... lol!!!

 

[ed-ectrician]

Exarmy. Pitch is a lovely old fashioned word for a hot pour compound. Like a resin that sets. I think! Correct me if wrong

 

[Knobhead]

Hot pour has the advantage of it can be melted out again, OK it's a horible job, but at least your not stuck with a solid lump like cold pour.

 

[Engineer54]

Hot pour has the advantage of it can be melted out again, OK it's a horible job, but at least your not stuck with a solid lump like cold pour.

I can understand that, ...thing is i haven't seen any new transformers, or any switching units (RMU's etc) for years now fitted with a cable sealing box/chamber (hot pour/cold pour). The last one i had anything to do with, was way back in my training days.... Most terminations of MV/HV cables, now being of the heat shrink variety, or by the newer cold shrink kit's.

As i say, we will have to wait and see if these alternatives will stand the test of time.... There are plenty of those hot pour chambers, both MV and LV around, that are still giving sterling service after 60-70+ years.... Which kind of makes up for the horrible and time consuming job of installation. ...lol!!

 

[ExArmy]

just incase anyone is wondering what it looks like:

 

[Engineer54]

I would say you have a problem there, something is heating up the pitch, to a point that it has become fluid, and leaking out of the seals. It was a different bitumen compound that was used in the non metallic service cut outs, with a lower melting point....

 

[ExArmy]

it's only a 60A fuse, it's never got hot when i''ve been there. anyway, this was noticed by another electrician 9 months ago, so i don't think it'll burst into flames overnight, but the DNO have been informed

 

[Engineer54]

it's only a 60A fuse, it's never got hot when i''ve been there. anyway, this was noticed by another electrician 9 months ago, so i don't think it'll burst into flames overnight, but the DNO have been informed

Your call!!!

 

[trev]

The state of that head, I'd be telling them I could smell burning too mate

 

[Engineer54]

It could well be an old fault from the past, that has already been rectified by the DNO, but no-body bothered to clean up the mess!!! ...lol!!

 

[Geordie Spark]

The state of that head, I'd be telling them I could smell burning too mate

Me too.

Make them do something for their Standing Charge.

 

[ayjay]

it might be a good idea to change that earth strap!

 

[ExArmy]

it might be a good idea to change that earth strap!

i think they will probably do that when they fit the new head. hopefully