Something you may have not known

[Jamchiv01]

Hello, about 2 months ago I was working on a rewire for a large property, and we had to have the DNO come out to upgrade the supply.

Whilst we were chatting, I asked him what the black stuff was dripping from the cable down the wall and he told me that it's the old bitumen melting from a loose connection in the service head. I was never taught this in college as its nothing to do with our work however it's a handy fact to know.

Just thought I would share that

 

[KennyKen]

Have you ever seen Oil filled cable? Lead sheathed? Certain HV applications require these

 

[polo1]

Waiting for a tenant to get out of bed so I can start an EICR!
Jam, very common to see on older service cut-outs. As you have been told, a warm connection causes the tar to melt and run. That stuff is carcinogenic so use gloves if your thinking about handling parts covered in it.
PS there's lots they don't teach you in college!!

 

[westward10]

Waiting for a tenant to get out of bed so I can start an EICR!
Jam, very common to see on older service cut-outs. As you have been told, a warm connection causes the tar to melt and run. That stuff is carcinogenic so use gloves if your thinking about handling parts covered in it.
PS there's lots they don't teach you in college!!

Just had 4 hour drive to Bournemouth, now doing the same.

 

[HandySparks]

Just had 4 hour drive to Bournemouth, now doing the same.

Why would you do a job four hours away?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Perhaps there's a beach in Bournemouth, and no beach in Northamptonshire!

 

[LeeH]

Why would you do a job four hours away?

When you're marching, you're not fighting.

I'll sit in a van all day on pay. Especially on a Sunday.

 

[westward10]

Why would you do a job four hours away?

Nationwide contract down here all week.

 

[Jamchiv01]

Have you ever seen Oil filled cable? Lead sheathed? Certain HV applications require these

I have seen PILC cable, that's it. Although I believe I was told that there are cables with oil for cooling between the UK and France

 

[Midwest]

Just had 4 hour drive to Bournemouth, now doing the same.

Did you see the sea? I can recommend Harvester, or if it's on business expenses, Vesuvio, Alum Chine. Inn in The Park good as well, pubs I love em.

 

[sparksburnout]

Hello, about 2 months ago I was working on a rewire for a large property, and we had to have the DNO come out to upgrade the supply.

Whilst we were chatting, I asked him what the black stuff was dripping from the cable down the wall and he told me that it's the old bitumen melting from a loose connection in the service head. I was never taught this in college as its nothing to do with our work however it's a handy fact to know.

Just thought I would share that

Well bugger me, and here's me always been under the impression it was liquorice. Well, every days a school day......

 

[HandySparks]

Well bugger me, and here's me always been under the impression it was liquorice. Well, every days a school day......

Ha ha.
I suppose starting a thread called 'Something you may have not known' was always likely to be a hostage to fortune.

 

[davesparks]

Those old heads also release the schmoo if they get overloaded, as per on each of my customers at the moment, they have a 200A TP intake just for their air-con which dribbles the black schmoo all over the floor each summer.

 

[Andy78]

I have always reported leaky domestic heads where there appears to be more than a few tablespoons full down the cable and on the understairs carpet. Last DNO guy I had out said "Yeah I'll replace it seeing as I'm here, but these 100 year old cast iron heads can leak empty and they'll still be fine"
I wasn't really convinced to be honest.

 

[GETWIRED]

overload can cause it too.