PG&E Power Pole Replacement

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  • Опубліковано 27 тра 2022
  • The end-of-the-line wooden residential power pole from 1962 that feeds my house and 2 of my neighbors has been leaning over for at least 25-30 years. Finally, a contractor from PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric) came out on May 25, 2022 to swap it with a brand new 50 foot pole and transformer. This is a video of that work.
    Pole-arity ensues.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 111

  • @Lynmun2010
    @Lynmun2010 Рік тому +36

    soooo... based on your knowledge, experience and training, they didn't need the hotsticks. Sometimes, instead of speculating, you might stick to spectating. This was a well done job, by IBEW linemen. It appears that all safety protocols were observed, and work practices were nice. Well done job on the pole.

    • @linehandibew6205
      @linehandibew6205 Рік тому +7

      God he doesn’t shut up. Ibew done well done job brothers

    • @Longboard2311
      @Longboard2311 Рік тому +4

      This portion of commentary made my blood boil 😂 An individual with 0 hours in the trade, making remarks about, how a ticket carrying Journeyman Linemen should do his job! Hope this boys got double bubble for dealing with this one😂

    • @culbyj3665
      @culbyj3665 6 місяців тому +4

      yeahh this guy is a fuckin Karen I agree

    • @culbyj3665
      @culbyj3665 6 місяців тому +4

      yeah He knows everything!!!! what an asshole

    • @Its_Caidawg
      @Its_Caidawg 2 місяці тому

      So I’m not sure about the knowledge this guy has but he knows the names of everything pretty well. But I hope he knows mostly every company has standard safety practices and bc he has a generator it might cause a bit of backfeed from his house

  • @billc6087
    @billc6087 2 роки тому +7

    I could watch this all day...

  • @alexgonzales4966
    @alexgonzales4966 Рік тому +19

    That wrap material is used for fire hardening-- at a cetain temp it will activiate and puff out like a marshmellow giving insulation to the pole from high heat.

    • @bigtiny1100
      @bigtiny1100 2 місяці тому +1

      I thought it was bird wrap for wood peckers . Learned something new.

  • @jeremylopez8728
    @jeremylopez8728 7 місяців тому +2

    Love that glass insulators were still in use on the service drops!

  • @kctyphoon
    @kctyphoon 11 місяців тому +5

    I’m a lineman for the telephone company for 23 years now. The truck that placed the pole is called a digger derrick. I actually run the same exact truck at my job. I’m betting the reason they used that pressure washer/vac truck to dig the hole is because of how close the pole was to your gas line. They cant use a machine to dig if its within 3 feet of any utility (although sometimes we cheat). Ive never actually seen that truck used before, and wish my company would get a contractor to do that for us. We would have had to enlarge that hole by hand, with long handle shovels if we HAD to use the same hole, or dig a new one on the other side of the gas line. Consider yourself lucky you live in the area you do, cause by me - this would NEVER happen all in one day, unless the pole broke and was laying on the ground - forcing both companies to show up at the same time. Usually, if we own the pole and are replacing it for whatever reason (upgrade to larger pole, rotted base, bad lean, ect). we just install a new one as close to old as we can - and then usually have to wait for the power company to move their lines first. This can take YEARS. Power Co cant touch our stuff, and obviously we cant touch theirs. But we will move all cable tv lines, and any other telecom provider. There are HUNDREDS of old poles waiting around to have their lines transferred over to the new poles. Ive even had to replace the “new” pole, with anther “new pole” from cars seeming to aim for the same poles when they crash.
    The old wooden “u guard” for ground wire was used when power companies used to use solid uninsulated copper wire for the ground. Its kept people from touching it, and helped deter theft. Nowadays with the price of copper, youll never see that anymore. You’ll see them use stranded copper wire thats insulated, copper plated, or just aluminum. Some of the insulation will even say “this is not copper” so people don’t cut if off thinking its worth something.
    We have a contractor service that comes to collect all our old pole pieces we bring back to the yard. I remember hearing years ago they were sold and shipped out of state, and burned as fuel for a gypsum plant where epa regulations were less restrictive. I cant say if that is 100% accurate - but I wouldn’t go chopping up any old pole pieces to burn in your indoor fireplace due to all the chemicals in them. Unless you happen to find an old cedar pole. Those didnt have anything in them.
    Rule of thumb for depth of set if 10% of the total pole length plus 2 feet. So your new 50 footer should be in the ground about 7 feet. There should be a brand on the side of the pole, (its its visible through that covering) about 4 feet above ground that would tell you the length, and class (how thick) the pole is. Never seen that pole covering either. For a while about a year ago, there was a pole shortage. We actually started getting ready to have to use fiberglass poles instead. Thankfully it never happened.

    • @kctyphoon
      @kctyphoon 11 місяців тому +1

      And for the record - when we place poles at my company - we are usually responsible for restoring the concrete on private property. We have contractors that will do it. Usually If it doesn’t happen, its because nobody submitted the request to have the contractor go fix it.

    • @Daniel-yi7gu
      @Daniel-yi7gu 10 місяців тому

      That's a lot of information, experience and knowledge

    • @Daniel-yi7gu
      @Daniel-yi7gu 10 місяців тому

      ​@@kctyphoonhe's just a stuck up spoiled P.O.S

  • @michaelgagne1911
    @michaelgagne1911 Рік тому +4

    Nice video they did a great job God bless them

  • @EBTROUBLE
    @EBTROUBLE 3 місяці тому +3

    It’s amazing you talk so much about something which you know very little about….

    • @WardCo
      @WardCo  3 місяці тому +1

      Yes, my wife says that too.

  • @djjspec
    @djjspec Рік тому +2

    Thanks for the video, they are replacing my pole today. Now i know what to expect.

    • @logancabori5813
      @logancabori5813 5 місяців тому

      Armorbuilt intumescent wrap for fire protection

  • @tishamiktarian9496
    @tishamiktarian9496 2 місяці тому +1

    ❤😊They are replacing our power pole tomorrow here 😊 thank you for video, Knowledge And Letting me know Time frame 😊

  • @retroryan838
    @retroryan838 10 місяців тому +1

    I wish all new power poles still had the v shaped frame on it. It is such a defining look for power poles.

  • @texaswelder9957
    @texaswelder9957 11 місяців тому +5

    He was using hot stick to ensure the lines were actually de energized. To ensure no back feed

    • @gregorywoodcock2472
      @gregorywoodcock2472 11 місяців тому

      There are two lines one 7,200 an the other one is a neutral. Now they have put a jumper to hot line to the neutral so people like this guy has all ready turn on his generation I hope he was smart enough pull his meter.

    • @gregorywoodcock2472
      @gregorywoodcock2472 11 місяців тому +1

      His has a meter on his hot stick he was checking to make sure the power was off.

  • @mackfisher4487
    @mackfisher4487 2 роки тому +1

    Ward the 4K really makes a difference I can read the date on your chimney liner project 1971.
    If you're looking for new content perhaps you could tackle reworking your parking lot, though I'm still anticipating your helping your friend out on reworking his old solar panels.

  • @thar6664
    @thar6664 Рік тому +5

    The video was much better on silent. 👍

  • @PaulSinclair831
    @PaulSinclair831 2 роки тому +1

    Ward - i love watching your videos - thanks for putting this one up.

    • @WardCo
      @WardCo  2 роки тому

      Thanks Paul!

  • @WardCo
    @WardCo  2 роки тому +3

    Word is the covering on the new pole is fire hardening. Which makes sense as it is kind of a cement cloth.

  • @billc6087
    @billc6087 2 роки тому +1

    15:50 Love it. Like my Stihl also....!

    • @ElectroTree01
      @ElectroTree01 Рік тому

      One crew had a chainsaw like that too. Had one like that and my new different brand one is like that too.

  • @davefuelling7955
    @davefuelling7955 11 місяців тому +1

    FYI, the high voltage coming into residential neighborhoods is usually between 17,000 volts and 45,000 volts, not 600,000 volts.

    • @pressrichardson6407
      @pressrichardson6407 10 місяців тому +3

      No, the voltage in neighborhoods and even commercial areas is typically 7200 volts to 14,400 volts in a wye distribution system

  • @paulrucker1786
    @paulrucker1786 8 місяців тому +1

    You don’t have any code/ regulations as to how close you can put fences, etc. in vicinity of the pole at ground level?

  • @gregorywoodcock2472
    @gregorywoodcock2472 11 місяців тому +2

    Hey ward your primary line is 7.200 kv if that was 600,000 kv everyone standing around would have die easily.

  • @thatonelonelyeagle5398
    @thatonelonelyeagle5398 Рік тому +2

    Those brown suspension insulators look very nice! Looks like ohio brass pieces judging by how wide the outer ring is!

  • @billywilly1586
    @billywilly1586 Рік тому +3

    Fire Wrap or Fire Shield. You live in a High Fire Area. Primary is a Phase and Neutral indicated by the single Fault Tamer Fuse on the primary arm protecting the transformer . Primary is maybe 7 or 9 kV depending on circuit mainline voltage. Secondary voltage is 600V likely 120/240V single phase on the triplex secondaries and service drops.

    • @chrislopez349
      @chrislopez349 Рік тому +1

      Primary voltage is 21kv.

    • @gregorywoodcock2472
      @gregorywoodcock2472 11 місяців тому

      That line was 7.200 residential always.

    • @gregorywoodcock2472
      @gregorywoodcock2472 11 місяців тому

      The transform is a step-down single phase. The primary 7,200 kv. Three legs coming off the transform each legs is 120 volts, so theirs were your 240 comes from.

    • @gregorywoodcock2472
      @gregorywoodcock2472 11 місяців тому

      That was a 7,200 kv. On the primary

    • @henrythompson7595
      @henrythompson7595 27 днів тому

      @@gregorywoodcock2472 KV meany kilo volts, thats 1000 volts, so 7,200 kv would equal 7,200,000 volts - way too much!. I think you meant 7.2KV, or 7,200 volts on the primary! Never heard of a 7 million volt power line in a neighborhood!

  • @ysidroavila6454
    @ysidroavila6454 Рік тому +1

    So...Joint Pole agreements JPA's which are apart of NCPA determine how much communications pay for their share of ownership of the pole. Usually from about 26' down is the communications company share. Asides from the modern wrapped pole with fire blanket, there is a nice new fiberglass cross-arm, and new style insulators, i wish they would upgrade my pole line!

  • @autolife2785
    @autolife2785 2 місяці тому

    31:22 the main issue with the squirrels is, they were probably getting shocked by the arrester and bushing on the old transformer because it did not contain animal guards. If you look at the new transformer, you can see it came with the animal guards for this purpose

  • @ElectroTree01
    @ElectroTree01 Рік тому +4

    Cool video! Looks like the transformer has a delta high side or at least a dual bushing with both phases insulated. Seems a little dangerous if you don’t know which is which.
    Edit: looks like a fiberglass crossarm on the pole.

    • @ElectroTree01
      @ElectroTree01 Рік тому +2

      Another edit: It is probably not 600-1000v feeding into the transformer but 6000-10,000v or something like that. I can confirm about how many people needed and traffic control. Would've liked to had a few things off of that pole.

    • @chrislopez349
      @chrislopez349 Рік тому +2

      Primary side is connected wye, The primary voltage is 21kv. PG&E only uses two bushing transformers.

    • @ElectroTree01
      @ElectroTree01 Рік тому +1

      @@chrislopez349 Ok Thanks

    • @culbyj3665
      @culbyj3665 6 місяців тому

      Dont give this guy any knowledge you tell him one thing and he thinks hes an expert.. He said it all with chemtrails and no need for hotsticks.

  • @michaelmorgan7893
    @michaelmorgan7893 2 роки тому

    That wrap could be protection against woodpeckers, etc.

    • @WardCo
      @WardCo  2 роки тому +1

      I'm told fire, which is a problem here in CA!

    • @michaelmorgan7893
      @michaelmorgan7893 2 роки тому

      @@WardCo yes, that sounds logical enough, beings that PG&E has been "under fire" from the insurance companies, due to failing lines, and the Paradise fire. (No pun intended)

  • @randallcarney1216
    @randallcarney1216 Рік тому

    Altec bucket truck unit manufactured in Birmingham Alabama about 30 miles from me

    • @WardCo
      @WardCo  Рік тому

      They're pretty cool.

  • @JosiahSmith-di5ui
    @JosiahSmith-di5ui Місяць тому

    I’m with Lockhart

  • @billc6087
    @billc6087 2 роки тому

    3:06 "...I wonder if they have any plans to repair my concrete when this is over..." HAHAhahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

    • @Davidstone568
      @Davidstone568 Місяць тому

      His concrete is in their right of way

  • @SodiumInduction-hv
    @SodiumInduction-hv 3 місяці тому +2

    That’s 7200V

    • @henrythompson7595
      @henrythompson7595 27 днів тому

      EXACTLY!!! Most neighborhood primaries are 7200 volt.

  • @OutDoorFun3
    @OutDoorFun3 2 роки тому

    Great commentary and video. What model video camera do you use?

    • @WardCo
      @WardCo  2 роки тому

      Thanks! It's an iPhone 13 pro.

  • @heronimousbrapson863
    @heronimousbrapson863 10 місяців тому +1

    The fellow operating the chain saw appeared to be smoking a cigarette. As the saw is gasoline powered, I question his judgment.

    • @TronVila
      @TronVila 6 місяців тому +1

      Most internal combustion machinery runs on gasoline and Marlboro

  • @Nttt739
    @Nttt739 3 місяці тому +2

    Not sure why you think you have the right to concrete next to their pole. They have easement rights and could take you to court for tampering with their easement access.

  • @mackfisher4487
    @mackfisher4487 2 роки тому +2

    Ward, Thanks for taking the time to make this video it's always fun watching utility companies work. I like you and wondering what new procedures have come out on utility poles. I'm guessing it has something to do with all of the new EPA rules and PG&E's lawsuit issues.
    When the lineman went up with hot stick the box at the end is to check and see if the line is hot, looking to make sure your neighbors generator is in back feeding.

    • @WardCo
      @WardCo  2 роки тому

      Ah, of course! Giant stick tester!

    • @aaronjriggins1062
      @aaronjriggins1062 Рік тому +2

      ​@@WardCo Yup, the hot stick attachment was a High Voltage Detector. "a line is not dead until it is tested AND proven dead". So he tested it dead, and then proved it dead by installing a shunt and personal grounds around the work area and on the high voltage lines. Required steps to protect against accidental energizing, backfeed, induction, lightning, or any other possible source of voltage.

    • @Mano_421
      @Mano_421 Рік тому +1

      Don’t confuse PG&E with contractors. There’s a big difference when it comes to how the job is performed.

    • @BluegrassMike
      @BluegrassMike 11 місяців тому

      Seems they do the same as machines, may be locked out but that doesn't mean it could still have residual energy. Always test to make sure regardless.

  • @bobsjers
    @bobsjers Рік тому +1

    I believe that the communication companies are billed by the power company when they fix their wires.

  • @lewy1
    @lewy1 Рік тому

    There should be a guy crossing the road to hold the corner, otherwise the pole will always eventually lean into the corner unless they put in a much more expensive self supporting pole.

    • @WardCo
      @WardCo  Рік тому

      There was some discussion about doing this for the reason you mention. But, as of today, no action.

  • @lonniechartrand
    @lonniechartrand 11 місяців тому +2

    It is obvious that this is from a “customer’s” viewpoint that knows nothing about utility infrastructure or easements.
    Complaints about paint on his “new” driveway that is a “few years old”.
    Those guys doing “traffic control” are groundsmen that are also responsible for fetching equipment and such.
    And the fact you question the use of hot sticks proves how little you know.
    We called your type “NIMBYs”. Not In My Back Yard.
    Geese!

    • @WardCo
      @WardCo  11 місяців тому

      I think you mean "Geeez" not "Geese" -- we all love geese.
      No, I was delighted to get the pole replaced -- and, I can't remember, but I think it is in the revisit video I note the guys came back and painted over the USA markings with black -- so that was great.
      On the whole I think they did a great job.

  • @randomhero9489
    @randomhero9489 10 місяців тому +1

    600,000 volts ? Really??? lol

  • @crrodriguez
    @crrodriguez 6 місяців тому

    Where is this..? Why is the pole almost inside the fence ? here they are made of cement or metals..Of course wooden poles exists, but carry either non electricity utilities or low voltage..I have never seen a wooden pole with a transformer..that will surely break the code.. ooh it is in america..the land of the weird buiulding codes. 😁

  • @beckyb943
    @beckyb943 17 днів тому

    under ground power repairs are a night mare.

  • @michaelmorgan7893
    @michaelmorgan7893 2 роки тому

    Should be only 12KV on that primary. The pole isn't framed for 600KV.

    • @WardCo
      @WardCo  2 роки тому +1

      Thinking more like 600V on the primary, but I probably under-shot!

    • @aaronjriggins1062
      @aaronjriggins1062 Рік тому +1

      21,000v circuit on the high side in this video. 2 wires, one was a PN (primary neutral) so the second one in this configuration had 12,000v on it. (wye)

    • @dieselwhisperer6907
      @dieselwhisperer6907 Рік тому

      It’s not 12kv lol it’s delta

  • @joshfriesen9401
    @joshfriesen9401 Рік тому

    Just based on how much this guy knows about the subject, he could have replaced the pole themselves.

    • @WardCo
      @WardCo  Рік тому

      Thanks, but in these comments you'll find that many of the people who do line work for a living think I'm a huge asshole! :)

    • @Genninap
      @Genninap 11 місяців тому

      @@WardCo yes, You’ve incurred the wrath of the union! 😊

  • @RabidRiddinRabbits
    @RabidRiddinRabbits 2 місяці тому +1

    Electrical work is all about redundancies. Commentary is annoying and unhelpful like congrats you know what a service drop is but you dont gotta act like they dont know what those JLs are doing

  • @jeffclark5268
    @jeffclark5268 7 місяців тому

    Wow so much sarcasm and complaining from another NIMBY whiner who’ll sue the utility when janky parallel generators burn his house down.
    ETA: until those HV lines are grounded they are still hot whether off or not. Hence the hot sticks. There are a lot of inductors and capacitors on that line so even if it’s disconnected the possibility of it still being energized is high.

  • @tacydit
    @tacydit 2 місяці тому +1

    You know absolutely nothing about what you are taking about 😅

  • @MattMorris481
    @MattMorris481 4 місяці тому

    Oh god lord I can’t tell how many people like this you run into in this job.🙄

  • @iwtowns
    @iwtowns Рік тому +5

    I'm sure you are a perfectly intelligent fellow in some aspects of life, but the commentary toward what is going on in this video shows extreme ignorance toward the subject matter.

    • @WardCo
      @WardCo  Рік тому +1

      Then I look forward to your comprehensive enumeration of my many technical errors.

    • @iwtowns
      @iwtowns Рік тому

      @@WardCo If you insist I sit through the entirety again, I will

    • @aaronjriggins1062
      @aaronjriggins1062 Рік тому +7

      Lol "extreme ignorance?" for a layman who has never done this work, he did about as good a job as possible. Missed some terms and concepts, but the average person would have no clue what was going on at all. Great video for regular "non lineman" people. Not bad for a guy who just walked outside and started recording.

    • @andrewjohnson8302
      @andrewjohnson8302 Рік тому +1

      @@WardCo it really wasn't too bad for a guy watching it saying what he thinks, maybe just more I think and less "because". One thing that stood out tho is that buried utilities really aren't better, in many aspects they are much worse. The biggest downside without getting technical is that you can't drive along a buried line and look for issues, people's streets sidewalks and yards need to be ripped up to even know where to begin. What can be buried is and has manhole access but it's definitely not ideal

    • @billk300
      @billk300 Рік тому +2

      Lineman here. Can’t stand ding dongs like this!!! He should be inside or doing something else other than critiquing what he doesn’t know. Plus if one of those guys break a safety law even on accident they could get fired because it’s on the World Wide Web.

  • @yoteslaya7296
    @yoteslaya7296 Рік тому +2

    Pge supposed to replace a pole in my area tomorrow. How long did all of this take

    • @WardCo
      @WardCo  Рік тому

      Just a day to do the pole swap -- and then a wait of a couple of weeks before they fixed the pavement. And of course, they sent random guys out and random times for a couple of YEARS before actually mobilizing.

    • @yoteslaya7296
      @yoteslaya7296 Рік тому +1

      @@WardCo sounds like typical pge incompetence

    • @bigtiny1100
      @bigtiny1100 2 місяці тому

      The depth is 10% of pole length plus 2 feet. If he dug a hole 15 feet deep it would be close to a 150 feet tall . Lol that’s a cell tower .