Whoaaaaaa What is THIS???? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

ABLE1 · 02-28-2009, 03:51 PM

Long story short, I was looking over this building last week. And while in the basement furnace room there was a old large fire door. The door was not locked so I opened the door, fumbled for the light switch. As I continued into this dark room and the CFL's started to get bright I found myself about 2 feet for what you see in the pictures.

Whoaaaaaa!!!!!! WHAT IS THIS????

I calmly said to myself......................

I slowing backed away as if I just met a snake in a cave.............. Went to me van and got my light stick just to check. Now if my light stick did not lie to me this stuff was hot and the terminals were bare.

I need not go back there ever again.

Anyone ever see anything like this before???

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Celtic · 02-28-2009, 03:59 PM

Transformer vault.

They blow up every so often

ABLE1 · 02-28-2009, 04:03 PM

Although I have heard of them I have never seen one or been in one. This was not under a street and the door was not locked. Should it at least have a sign on it or be locked or something???

Celtic · 02-28-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABLE1

Although I have heard of them I have never seen one or been in one. This was not under a street ....

They are not always accessible from the street - that was just a quick Google hit.

I've seen them in the basement of buildings, as free standing buildings, behind fences, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABLE1

....and the door was not locked. Should it at least have a sign on it or be locked or something???

Sure it should be locked with signage indicating danger.

Was this in a school?

ABLE1 · 02-28-2009, 04:36 PM

No not a school. It was a store downtown.

It was a shocking experience............................

Happily not of the bad kind.

Les

Bkessler · 02-28-2009, 04:44 PM

I have been a few of those, I never really enjoyed pulling new feeders with all the rigging and so forth that goes with pulling huge runs of medium voltage cable while being in a live vault. But you gotta do what you gotta go.

mickeyco · 02-28-2009, 04:49 PM

It looks like a good place to recharge your cordless tools for FREE.

.

mdshunk · 02-28-2009, 04:55 PM

Those look like 1950's vintage pots. Nowadays, they'd be in a containment pan. Oh, and the door would be locked and have a sign on it too. Reasonably common thing to find in the basement of a bigger building that is underground fed in a downtown area.

Speedy Petey · 02-28-2009, 06:46 PM

My kid's school has a room like that. I have not been in there yet, but we have to replace the door this spring, so hopefully I'll have some similar pics soon.

480sparky · 03-01-2009, 09:42 AM

In many large structures, the vaults are built by the building's owner, then turned over to the utility company. They reign supreme over them, and not even the owner has access to it once the utility starts work.

ABLE1 · 03-01-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

In many large structures, the vaults are built by the building's owner, then turned over to the utility company. They reign supreme over them, and not even the owner has access to it once the utility starts work.

I would expect nothing less.

However in this case it has NOT happened. Ever!!!!

mdshunk · 03-01-2009, 10:16 AM

I'm not convinced that this is even a utility maintained vault. The primary clearances make me think this is a pretty low voltage primary. At the most, 2400 x 480. I see two banks, so now I think 2400x480 on the one, and 2400x208 on the other. I'd almost bet money this is an old 2400 volt downtown network.

ABLE1 · 03-01-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdshunk

I'm not convinced that this is even a utility maintained vault. The primary clearances make me think this is a pretty low voltage primary. At the most, 2400 x 480. I see two banks, so now I think 2400x480 on the one, and 2400x208 on the other. I'd almost bet money this is an old 2400 volt downtown network.

Yes, it is in the downtown area.

Is it a supply for just this building, multiple buildings, or just for the street and signal lights???

Thanks for the education that I am about to receive.

Les

mdshunk · 03-01-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABLE1

Is it a supply for just this building, multiple buildings, or just for the street and signal lights???

Could be any of the above, but typically when you see a vault in a building, it's just for that building. They'd put it in the sidewalk or street, historically, if it was for more than one building or if it also did the street lights and traffic signals. As old as that installation is, it's really hard to say. Those pots aren't that big, so I'd have a hard time saying they do anything besides just the building.

MALCO.New.York · 03-01-2009, 10:43 AM

Do not touch anything wet and gooey.

Poly Chlorinated BiPhenyls.

Bad stuffs. Just ask GE!

ABLE1 · 03-01-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdshunk

Could be any of the above, but typically when you see a vault in a building, it's just for that building. They'd put it in the sidewalk or street, historically, if it was for more than one building or if it also did the street lights and traffic signals. As old as that installation is, it's really hard to say. Those pots aren't that big, so I'd have a hard time saying they do anything besides just the building.

I did not exactly follow the cables to see where it all went but here are couple of more pictures. My guess is that your are right it is just for this building. I still think a padlock on the door would be appropriate.
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mdshunk · 03-01-2009, 11:00 AM

Yeah, it looks like they're doing primary metering. Pretty cool. It's just for that building, and I'd say most or all of that is customer owned due to the way it's being metered (whether they know it or not).

Is that an incinerator or the furnace stack cleanout there next to the disconnect?

Brian Senick · 03-01-2009, 02:03 PM

Iwas working on the liberty1 building in center city phila.we were in the basement and a buddy of mine walked into a room just like yours and for some reason he had a pipe wrench in his hand . Well he got about to feet away from the bare terminals and man did they arc right though the wrench and blew out his elbow scarriest thing i have ever seen electrically

mdshunk · 03-01-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Senick

Iwas working on the liberty1 building in center city phila.we were in the basement and a buddy of mine walked into a room just like yours and for some reason he had a pipe wrench in his hand . Well he got about to feet away from the bare terminals and man did they arc right though the wrench and blew out his elbow scarriest thing i have ever seen electrically

You sir, are a big fat liar.

ABLE1 · 03-01-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdshunk

Yeah, it looks like they're doing primary metering. Pretty cool. It's just for that building, and I'd say most or all of that is customer owned due to the way it's being metered (whether they know it or not).

Is that an incinerator or the furnace stack cleanout there next to the disconnect?

Marc,

I can't say exactly. I don't remember seeing that when on site. But did notice it when I posted the picture. Not really sure what it is. However the room on the other side is the furnace room where there are two units one of which is close to that wall.

Les