[TowerTalk] thoughts about property layout

[Tom Wagner]

The biggest difference is that it is unfused.  Also, the
connections where the drop meets the downlead might
not be as well insulated as the insulation on a modern
drop.

The fear comes from the power companies.  They must
deal with the public.  The public is not very good at making
fine distinctions like the above, so the power companies
imply that all power lines are equally dangerous.  Obviously,
they are not.

73,
Tom Wagner - N1MM
Check out the N1MM Free Contest Logger at
http://tomwagner.home.mindspring.com/n1mm.htm
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/N1MMLogger
to join: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/N1MMLogger/join
After you join, you'll find the download link in the "Bookmarks" section.


----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Rauch <w8ji@contesting.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>; Dan Evans <n9rla@yahoo.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2001 21:39
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] thoughts about property layout


> Hi Dan and all,
>
> I may be swimming against the current here, but I really fail to see
> the worry or problem with triplex drop lines.
>
> > I have an almost identical situation here.  The power feed from the pole
> > to the weather head at the house runs diagonal across the back yard of
my
> > tiny lot.  At my place, the line is only about 10 feet above ground for
a
> > good portion of the run, and passes through the limbs of a couple of
large
> > maple trees on the property.
>
> Someone help me out with this. What is the big worry with a
> modern triplex 240 volt drop?
>
> You can almost use a buzz saw on the stuff without cutting the
> insulation. There is a bare ground conductor, and the maximum
> voltage is only 120 volts. It's much less dangerous than the cord on
> our everyday appliances, and no one worries about those cords
> laying on the floor! We work with fragile extension cords all the
> time outdoors and don't worry, and most of the time they aren't
> even plugged into GFI outlets!
>
> I understand how and why the old parallel wire drops are a worry,
> and I certainly wouldn't get near a primary line even if it was
> insulated. But triplex low voltage drops, with insulation that is like
> armor?? It's tough to drill through that stuff.
>
> Can someone please make me understand how a wire with
> insulation that is almost impossible to cut, and with a bare ground
> conductor, is more worrisome than a traditional line cord for
> electrical shock?
>
> I've never heard of any death or injuries from contact with triplex. I
> can't imagine how someone could cut through the insulation on the
> line unless they had a Skill Saw in their hand.
>
>
> 73, Tom W8JI
> W8JI@contesting.com
>
> List Sponsor: Are you thinking about installing a tower this summer? Call
us
> for information on our fabulous Trylon Titan self-supporting towers - up
to
> 96-feet for less than $2000! at 888-833-3104 <A
HREF="http://www.ChampionRadio.com">
> www.ChampionRadio.com</A>
>
> -----
> FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
> Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
> Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
> Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com
>


List Sponsor: Are you thinking about installing a tower this summer? Call us
for information on our fabulous Trylon Titan self-supporting towers - up to
96-feet for less than $2000! at 888-833-3104 <A HREF="http://www.ChampionRadio.com">
www.ChampionRadio.com</A>

-----
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com