Re: Test for Surge Protector?

[Marc F Hult <MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Yes.  I appreciate the problem that Cinergy has in part because it has become
my problem ;-) Part of staffing issued can be attributed to the "Peter
principle" ...

And I understand that the problems that cable and phone techs create are
mostly beyond the electrical utility's  control.

As always, Tom, thank for you for your patient explanations.

... Marc
Marc_F_Hult
www.EControl.org

On Thu, 15 Sep 2005 22:29:42 -0400, w_tom <w_tom1@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
message  <432A2E16.E3CE30E6@xxxxxxxxxxx>:

>  Appreciate a problem that Cinergy has.  For example, I sat
>drinking coffee with two cable TV installers who had just been
>given the training.  But because (in part) they were so
>deceived by plug-in surge protector myths, they did not fully
>comprehend what was taught.  First they had to be untaught
>myths so common with plug-in protectors and with surge damage.
>
>  Of course, they are technicians which is why so many big
>companies tell them what to do - and don't tell them why.  One
>of these installers was sharp.  He wanted to know why.  As I
>explained concepts of earthing, the short connection, wire
>impedance, etc, then he kept saying, "Is that why they said
>that."  Then he kept turning to his partner and saying, "Did
>you hear that?"  His partner was not interested.
>
>  Cinergy would have the same problems.
>
> Cable guy had recently installed the cable directly to the
>second floor.  So he ran a ground wire from that second floor
>cable to earth.  I explained why he must first drop the cable
>down to earth, then make a short earthing connection, then
>rise back up.  Suddenly this made sense with something they
>had said in their installer's course.  They taught him.  But
>without the reasons why, he just did not comprehend what they
>had taught him.  His partner apparently did not care
>(recessions sometimes cure that problem).
>
>  Cinergy has same problem.  Too many people still think a
>wall receptacle is earth ground because (they assume) wire is
>a perfect conductor.  Wall receptacles are not earth ground -
>despite so many myths.  Appreciate what the training director
>must confront when Cinergy top management is more concerned
>with keeping the lights on AND when linemen already know
>everything they need to know about electricity.
>
>  An interview with a Con Edision employee discussed what Con
>Ed did after the 1965 blackout.  Suddenly linemen were
>expected to understand basic AC electricity concepts.
>Teaching about 60 hertz was too much for some who quit rather
>than learn why lines were wired that way.  They had always
>done it this way.  Therefore the new way is nonsense.
>Appreciate how many years - maybe a decade - it would take for
>Cinergy to educate their people in 'earthing for transistor
>safety'.
>
>MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>> On Thu, 15 Sep 2005 19:48:51 -0400, w_tom <w_tom1@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
message
>> <432A0863.EF6BC261@xxxxxxxxxxx>:
>>  http://www.cinergy.com/surge/ttip08.htm
>
>> Coincidentally this is the very utility that installed the whole
>> house ground protector in my house and didn't check the rod,
>> the connection to it, or the adjacent cable and telephone
>> entry -- all of which were deficient. When I pointed out the
>> problems to the utility rep who came to replace it when
>> one of the LED's stopped indicating OK,  he said that all he
>> did was install or replace the protector. Seemed to know nuthin
>> and care less. They also provided 'insurance' for which the
>> paperwork was so onerous that I have yet to actually collect ...