Who is to blame on this one - InspectionNews

Richard Flores · #1 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 09:13 PM

This was a first for me.. The cable was not buried more than 2-3" throughout the property. What do you guys think about this?

Speedy Petey · #2 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 09:23 PM

That has GOT to be a temp service that slipped through the cracks. Hell, the meter pan cover is even hanging off.

That's also a 200A MP and the cable does not look like 200A to me. Hell, look at that house in the background. Seems like a higher end neighborhood.

Rick Hurst · #3 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 10:21 PM

Lets hope someone is not robbing power from the neighbor next door.

Gunnar Alquist · #4 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 10:23 PM

Who is to blame? Since you found it, you are.

Vern Heiler · #5 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy Petey

That has GOT to be a temp service that slipped through the cracks. Hell, the meter pan cover is even hanging off.

That's also a 200A MP and the cable does not look like 200A to me. Hell, look at that house in the background. Seems like a higher end neighborhood.

His location says he's in the South. I think Rick has it pegged! Sombody getten some free electricity

.

Brandon Whitmore · #6 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 12:15 AM

This is some kind of joke........... isn't it

Vern Heiler · #7 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon Whitmore

This is some kind of joke........... isn't it

I've seen stolen gas meters and water meters, presumably used to hook up a disconnected service. This looks like the electrical is being stolen from the pictured meter. The house next door might have been going down the foreclosure tube and they needed a little more time with electricity.

Speedy Petey · #8 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vern Heiler

His location says he's in the South. I think Rick has it pegged! Sombody getten some free electricity

.

You guys may be on to something.

Jerry Peck · #9 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 06:24 PM

I don't see where there is any riser going to that meter for its real service lateral, which leads me to suspect that it was connected "temporarily" at the time of construction to power up the house while waiting for the power company to come out and run the service lateral ... which never happened, leaving it that way since it was built ... and quite likely being run *from* (rather than run *to*) the house on the right.

Vern Heiler · #10 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

I don't see where there is any riser going to that meter for its real service lateral, which leads me to suspect that it was connected "temporarily" at the time of construction to power up the house while waiting for the power company to come out and run the service lateral ... which never happened, leaving it that way since it was built ... and quite likely being run *from* (rather than run *to*) the house on the right.

I know its not in a conduit, but what is the cable coming up the wall into the meter?

I don't know about other areas but the power company will only run temp power to a temp service pole here.

Jerry Peck · #11 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vern Heiler

I know its not in a conduit, but what is the cable coming up the wall into the meter?

I'm thinking that is the grounding electrode conductor protected in PVC.

Quote:

I don't know about other areas but the power company will only run temp power to a temp service pole here.

Every where I've been is that same way, but who knows 'in the "South" wherever that may be'.

Saying one is in the "South" is about like saying one is in the "US", that covers a LOT of area.

H.G. Watson, Sr. · #12 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Saying one is in the "South" is about like saying one is in the "US", that covers a LOT of area.

His signature line includes a Texas License number and a web-site link.

I think its safe to presume he and the subject property are represented to be in Texas.

Jerry Peck · #13 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H.G. Watson, Sr.

His signature line includes a Texas License number and a web-site link.

I think its safe to presume he and the subject property are represented to be in Texas.

While that is true on that presumption, I only looked at his location at 'Location', not down in his signature.

Ted Menelly · #14 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 07:24 PM

McAllen, Texas 78503

Richard Flores · #15 (**permalink**) 11-11-2009, 10:30 PM

I am in the southern most part of the State. A few minutes from Mexico.. AEP (energy provider) requires us to dig a trench no less than 40" from transformer to edge of home where Meter is to be located. So the PVC pipe that you see is the one that is suppose to be buried underground. It goes all along the properly buried no more than 2" at its deepest and does terminate at the appropriate transformer. What gets me is how the previous owner never complained about this. The house is a foreclosure but it does show signs of children living in it. Meaning that either the homeowner worked for the service provider or a friend of his worked for one. I called AEP and had them go take a look.. BTW you can rest assure that the buyer walked away from this one.

H.G. Watson, Sr. · #16 (**permalink**) 11-11-2009, 10:38 PM

RF:

Thanks for the update.