[TowerTalk] Coax as powerline - NOT

[Jim Miller]

I thought it would work fine also but was going to wait for other comments.
Water, yes but same as other use for coax.  BUT, let's take an extreme
example, say 200 feet distance, and even 5 amp load.  You will see a voltage
drop at the work end of the line.  OK, the voltage drop may be fine.  The
problem is that the difference in voltage measured across the two conductors
occurs partially on BOTH conductors.  THAT leaves the "ground" side of the
coax at some potential that is above ground.  Now both wires are HOT.
DANGER here, if you are going to do it, you MUST be aware of it and take the
proper precautions and NOT connect the "ground" side of the line to anything
other that a load that is NOT GROUNDED.  Just not a good situation.  The
NEXT guy might get electrocuted.

IMHO, Jim


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dino Darling" <dino at k6rix.com>
To: "Doug Renwick" <ve5ra at sasktel.net>
Cc: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:06 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Coax as powerline


> Can you?  Yes.  Should you;  I'll let you be the judge of that based
> on your previous input.
>
> I didn't know water could ingress into coax easier than standard
> wire.  One would think that coax, which is designed to be in the
> weather, would limit water intrusion a bit easier than your standard
> THHN copper wire.
>
> I'd HI-POT the coax to at least 600V from the center conductor to the
> shield first.  I bet it will work just fine.
>
> At 08:53 AM 4/14/2008, Doug Renwick wrote:
>
> >Has anyone successfully used ca RG-8 or RG-11 center conductor only to
> >carry 120 or 240 volts in place of an underground power cable?  I have
> >some surplus coax that I was thinking of using in place of current
> >expensive copper cable.
> >
> >Doug
> >
> >"I am free to run."
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >TowerTalk mailing list
> >TowerTalk at contesting.com
> >http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> >
> >
> >
> >--
> >No virus found in this incoming message.
> >Checked by AVG.
> >Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.22.13/1375 - Release Date:
> >4/12/2008 11:32 AM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >--
> >No virus found in this incoming message.
> >Checked by AVG.
> >Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.22.13/1375 - Release Date:
4/12/2008
>
> Dino - K6RIX
> dino at k6rix.com
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG.
> Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.22.13/1375 - Release Date:
4/12/2008
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>