The Captain often faces danger.
On June 2, 2010 our electricians were scheduled for a Panel Replacement in Oshawa. Making the work safe requires that the Utility Company remove the Meter from its Base, to isolate the panel while it is being replaced. It is required by law and by the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, that this is performed by the Utility Company, and we always abide by this.
The Normal Procedure
We pre-scheduled to have the Utility Company safely remove the Meter from its base, we complete our work, and they return later in the day to replace the Meter into its socket. Safety precautions such as protective face shield, leather gloves, and an approved Meter Pulling Device are employed to protect the workers. Normally this is fairly routine, but on this day it was not.
Here is what transpired in the following 3 minutes, in what we call “Meter Mayhem”
The Meter was pulled using the approved Meter Pulling Device, but due to a cracked insulator block inside this 40-year-old meter base, removing the Meter caused one phase to contact the Steel Meter Base Housing. The Meter came all the way out, but the one phase remained in contact with the Meter Base Housing, arcing and sparking away.
While the Meter Base cover was being Arc Welded shut, the steel Meter Base began to glow red hot, a the Utility Company workers scurried to disconnect the lines at the Transformer on the street.
The Meter was pulled using the approved Meter Pulling Device, but due to a cracked insulator block inside this 40-year-old meter base, removing the Meter caused one phase to contact the Steel Meter Base Housing. The Meter came all the way out, but the one phase remained in contact with the Meter Base Housing, arcing and sparking away. While the Meter Base cover was being Arc Welded shut, the steel Meter Base began to glow red hot, a the Utility Company workers scurried to disconnect the lines at the Transformer on the street.
The Main Ground at the Water service at the house was isolated at the transformer. The Utility workers called their Safety Supervisor and our Captain Electric Electrician called the ESA Inspector (Electrical Safety Authority). Reports were written, pictures were taken, and we continued with our work. However, now a new meter Base was also installed, along with replacing the damaged wiring. The Air Conditioner also required complete rewiring and new Safety switch.
This was definitely not a routine panel replacement, but in the end, the work was completed, no one was hurt, and a number of people have an interesting story to relate.
In Conclusion
This work is NOT for amateurs. It is NOT a do-it-yourself project. If an amateur had pulled this meter, serious injury from the Arc-Flash could have resulted in loss of eyesight, severe burns or even death by electrocution. Yet, there are still many “fly-by-night” unlicensed electricians and other “handy” individuals who perform illegal panel replacements, despite the law and despite the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. These individuals have no license, no WSIB coverage, no liability insurance, do not apply for a permit (in fact they cannot be issued an ESA Permit – unless they are licensed), and perform their work illegally in every respect, under the radar as it were.
So – do you see the importance of following the rules? Can you see why it is wise to hire a professional? If this work was performed by the unlicensed contract, who “illegally” pulls the Meter himself, who would have ben there to disconnect the service at the transformer? (Nobody) How would he have been protected from injury? (He would not be) What further damage to the home may have occurred? (A fire could have resulted, destroying the home, or other wiring in the home could have been damage beyond repair, requiring rewiring).
How Can You Protect Yourself?
1. Have the professionals handle the job
2. Only an ECRA licensed Electrical Contractor will apply for the proper ESA Permit, and will arrange for the Utility Company in your area to provide the required “isolation” so tha the work can be performed safely. Their trained personnel will use the proper protective gear, and in the event of a problem (like this one) they are there to perform any further necessary action. This way – No one gets hurt.
3. Know your rights. Demand to see proof of liability insurance, WSIB coverage, ECRA/ESA License. Verify the registration with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). Ask for references.
4. Do NOT hire the unlicensed contractor because you can save a little bit of money. He is not a real business – He is unlicensed, does not have WSIB coverage or liability insurance and will not guarantee his work.
A word to the intelligent consumer; trust a professional with the right qualifications and legal procedures and equipment to do the job right, do the work safely, and thus avoid putting yourself and your family at risk.