Smart meters, lithium batteries, and L.A. fires (?)

[The_Patriot21]

2 hours ago, nebula said:

That is an incorrect assumption, sir.

It appeared to me the angle with which you responded was a different angle from which I was reading into the issue, and I was expressing such. 

Perhaps I should have said, thank you for responding, but what your response was claiming things contrary to what I asked. 

Did you look to see the video I mentioned, showing a lithium battery exploding? 

I've seen lithium batteries explode, there is no need for me to watch one. 

[other one]

1 hour ago, nebula said:

Thanks. So the explosion goes outward, not all over and blowing a hole in the wall?

About the copper wiring, is what you are saying, basically, that copper has a lowish melting point with regards to the fire?

Yes to both, if the meter boxes are the same as here.   The meter bases are thick metal, and the meters themselves are either glass or lexan plastic.

 

 

Meter base

 

 

Meter plugs into this base

 

 

When I first heard people talking about this, I looked into it and looked through several pictures and videos.  Each of them looked like the problem was within the meter base itself (same as a non-smart one) and looked to me like it was a wiring problem.   I worked for our electric company for a year before I went into the Air Force back in 1967 upgrading sub-stations.  I also installed and handled high amperage electrical lines going into our large printers for Xerox   50 amp 220v.  All of the pictures I have seen have the same look as one gets when running aluminum wires directly into copper.  That always ends up with high resistance connections and fires.   The larger aluminum wires coming from the pole goes through a special connection that hooks up to a copper wire before it gets to your house.   If that does build up a resistance, it's at least 4 feet away from your house and doesn't last very long before it destroys itself, and you lose power. 

When the smart meters came out, a group I am a member of here met with OG&E managers and discussed the safety of the meters.   The RF radio's within them were a scare when they first came out.

 

[Sower]

1 hour ago, other one said:

The larger aluminum wires coming from the pole goes through a special connection that hooks up to a copper wire before it gets to your house.   If that does build up a resistance, it's at least 4 feet away from your house and doesn't last very long before it destroys itself, and you lose power. 

I worked wiring the homes I constructed and worked for an electrical company of and on for years. Most high line voltage comes through open air aluminum to the step down transformers at the primary pole for residential. Some supply to the meter loop with copper but the majority is aluminum. Even still, every meter loop, disconnect, breaker panel junction boxes must be a UL approved fire proof metal enclosure, according to the National Electric code. All the meter loops I've ever built has copper wire to the weather head for in feed, and copper to the house main disconnect running through metal conduit and metal enclosures.

I suppose an explosion could maybe rupture the metal enclosure as they are not required to be explosion proof like at a gas station, but I can't imagine a battery melt down/explosion would rupture an approved metal enclosure, as required by code. The purpose for code for this application is for just this type of foreseen/unforeseen event.

Remember this is California in the LA area and more and more homes are running the entry line underground from the meter loop or the transformer pad to the residence main that must be accessible outside for emergency shut down. The smart meter would not be even close to the residence.

 

[nebula]

3 hours ago, other one said:

Yes to both, ....

Thank you.

[nebula]

1 hour ago, Sower said:

I worked wiring the homes I constructed and worked for an electrical company of and on for years. Most high line voltage comes through open air aluminum to the step down transformers at the primary pole for residential. Some supply to the meter loop with copper but the majority is aluminum. Even still, every meter loop, disconnect, breaker panel junction boxes must be a UL approved fire proof metal enclosure, according to the National Electric code. All the meter loops I've ever built has copper wire to the weather head for in feed, and copper to the house main disconnect running through metal conduit and metal enclosures.

I suppose an explosion could maybe rupture the metal enclosure as they are not required to be explosion proof like at a gas station, but I can't imagine a battery melt down/explosion would rupture an approved metal enclosure, as required by code. The purpose for code for this application is for just this type of foreseen/unforeseen event.

Remember this is California in the LA area and more and more homes are running the entry line underground from the meter loop or the transformer pad to the residence main that must be accessible outside for emergency shut down. The smart meter would not be even close to the residence.

Thanks

[other one]

10 hours ago, Sower said:

I worked wiring the homes I constructed and worked for an electrical company of and on for years. Most high line voltage comes through open air aluminum to the step down transformers at the primary pole for residential. Some supply to the meter loop with copper but the majority is aluminum. Even still, every meter loop, disconnect, breaker panel junction boxes must be a UL approved fire proof metal enclosure, according to the National Electric code. All the meter loops I've ever built has copper wire to the weather head for in feed, and copper to the house main disconnect running through metal conduit and metal enclosures.

I suppose an explosion could maybe rupture the metal enclosure as they are not required to be explosion proof like at a gas station, but I can't imagine a battery melt down/explosion would rupture an approved metal enclosure, as required by code. The purpose for code for this application is for just this type of foreseen/unforeseen event.

Remember this is California in the LA area and more and more homes are running the entry line underground from the meter loop or the transformer pad to the residence main that must be accessible outside for emergency shut down. The smart meter would not be even close to the residence.

 

The red arrow points to where we transition from aluminum to copper I was speaking of.   They are specialized compression inline butt connectors to stop the deaeration of the aluminum to copper connection.  No house I ever worked around had the aluminum primary link from the pole to the house all aluminum.  Residential installations are almost always from a pole mounted transformer.

[Sower]

1 hour ago, other one said:

The red arrow points to where we transition from aluminum to copper I was speaking of.   They are specialized compression inline butt connectors to stop the deaeration of the aluminum to copper connection.  No house I ever worked around had the aluminum primary link from the pole to the house all aluminum.  Residential installations are almost always from a pole mounted transformer.

  Al/Cu

quote;
"High-quality Al/Cu compression cable lugs are perfect for coupling aluminium conductors with copper elements. A compound in the aluminium connecting material improves the contact properties. Aluminium-copper connectors are necessary for the skilled connection of aluminium and copper conductors"

I never had need to use the SEC butt connectors the utility companies used but have used Al/Cu terminal blocks within enclosures with Noalox grease (kool aid) covering surfaces of connection, and periodic re-tightening. We also used the Noalox on our vehicle battery terminals for the same purpose and works. (Copper to lead battery terminal) Keeps oxy out.

 

 

 

 

[farouk]

On 1/12/2025 at 3:51 PM, nebula said:

That is an incorrect assumption, sir.

It appeared to me the angle with which you responded was a different angle from which I was reading into the issue, and I was expressing such. 

Perhaps I should have said, thank you for responding, but what your response was claiming things contrary to what I asked. 

Did you look to see the video I mentioned, showing a lithium battery exploding? 

@nebula You know more about science than I do.....

[farouk]

On 1/13/2025 at 8:29 AM, other one said:

The red arrow points to where we transition from aluminum to copper I was speaking of.   They are specialized compression inline butt connectors to stop the deaeration of the aluminum to copper connection.  No house I ever worked around had the aluminum primary link from the pole to the house all aluminum.  Residential installations are almost always from a pole mounted transformer.

All you scientists and technologists........interesting stuff..........