Lights out!

[LostArt]

Oh....at around 9pm last night. The Boss and I had finally settled down to watch some tv (or I was gonna read) for the night when bam! There went a fuse!

Since it's quiet and we are sitting in flashlight darkness, I ask him, "How do you know it's a fuse?" He replies that he just knows. He then gets up goes out to the front door and calls me. He says, "You know where that pole is at the end of our street? It's the one. All down this street on either side the lights are out." I asked him if he wanted to ride out and see. He said not really.

He said it would be most of the night before I lights were turned on, so we headed to bed. I think they came back on around 1 or 2am. I thought I had turned off all the lights, but forgot the tv. Had to go and turn it off. The Boss sleeps right through that sorta thing. :D

It amazes me how you guys "know" the problem before you even check it out. He has known almost from the spot where it happens or where it could be before we even get there! That is if we are riding around and looking for it. We have done this before and I'm sure I've mentioned this here.

Since I don't really know how it all works and don't have the experience (other than a standbyer), I think it's pretty cool that you know where the trouble is or about what has happened.

Is it just trail and error? Is it just experience in knowing where to look? Is it working with lines and seeing where they end and begin?

Like for instance. Sometimes we have a few flashes before the lights go out. Then you have boom! Nothing (like last night).

Now, I'm rambling once again....but I thought it was interesting in over the years that a lineman can usually guess where the trouble is and maybe even what caused it.

[LostArt]

Didn't ask the right questions, eh? Or is it too complicated to explain in layman terms?

I probably should have put this in the BS forum. More hits, but I really didn't feel like it. :D

If you read it fine. If you don't respond, fine too. :D

[Pootnaigle]

Ummmmmmm the trick is in watchin em go out. If they kinda blink a few times before it gets dark then its more'n likely a reclosing device somewhere in the primary circuit( Every lineman Knows exactly where they are located throughout the trunk of the feeder line) If one the other hand they justgo out with no prior warning its more'n likely a fuse.Could be in the primary circuit or maybe even the one on yer Transformer, But if your downstream of that fuse yer inna dark. Ever so rarely a Jumper willl burn open and that can be a Booger to find .......... Even for a seasoned veteran. But ummmmmmmm its dark, yer home all alone wif no TV ,still is relatively cool or warm in yer house,This is the power companys contribution to population growth.

[LostArt]

Thanks Poot for the lowdown. I didn't know it could be that many things. But, some you mentioned I've heard him say before.


. But ummmmmmmm its dark, yer home all alone wif no TV ,still is relatively cool or warm in yer house,This is the power companys contribution to population growth.

LOL! Too funny. I said last night as it was just he and I....darkness....and quiet, "Uh....so THIS is why our grandparents had so many children." And he responded back with a quiet, "Yeeeep." Heh. He cracks me up.

Well, speaking of the Boss....he just alerted me a few minutes ago. He says(and it's loud in the background---the truck I guess), "Well dear, I don't know when I will be home tonight. I've been working this all day long and it's not let up. Actually it seems worse." He then says to keep the lights on for him. And I respond with, "Okay! If not, the flashlight will be on!" :D

[LostArt]

Another thing, and I forget what it's called, and it might be this primary circuit thing(I don't think so---unless that's what you guys call it), but somewhere down the line you can see where it's disattached. Dang it! I can't remember what it's called! But, you can physically see where it's dislocated.

What is it called guys? If you guys don't know what I'm talking about, I'll try and ask the Boss when he returns.

[LostArt]

I don't remember the Boss calling it the "reclosing device" Poot. But, that sounds like what I'm thinking of.

[tramp67]

Fused cutout.;)

[Lizzy Bordon]

Laymens terms..........hmmmm. Think of it like this. You have your Christmas tree and a few strands of lights. You probably learned pretty quick your better off putting up a few strands, usually do not plug more than 2 strands together and plug them into a strip so if one fuse blows in the strand of lights or a bulb you will stay lite (hopefully). If you hook lets say 5 strands together it will probably stay lit for awhile and then pop there goes the little fuse...overloaded your xmas lights. Power company likes to do this especially in summer when everyone cranks on the air conditioners....pop goes the fuse or transformer. The fuse isolates the one strand of lites....each bulb could be someones home. Reclosures I personally hate them. They are usually timed. Your lights will go off and on usually three time and your out. Usually 5 mins, 10 mins........bang finished until a lineman shows up. I sit here and go OH NO.....Once, twice and three times your screwed at least 6 hours for a lineman in our area. P.S. I am the grand wizard of Christmas lights. I made Mr. Borden put an outside outlet on every corner of the house on separate breakers. I have it down to a science after all the OH ****.....GOD D$(% stupid breaker.

[LostArt]

Tramp67 - The Boss said a jack/ fused cutout. He says the same thing.

Lizzy - Why is it that everytime you post I'm either grinning, giggling, and feeling like I'm right there with ya? You really need to write a book girl! :D

Steve - We purchased our tv about 3 years ago. It's a Sony HDTV. Is that old these days? :D Just asking. You all probably gather that the Boss doesn't buy unless it's broken and doesn't work anymore. Heh.

[LostArt]

Now I'm so befunddled over the fact that my tv came back on after the lights went out the other night! :D

I know....crazy, but that's how my brain works! So does anyone else's tv ----when ON goes OUT when the electricity is off, come back on when the electricity comes back on?

[tramp67]

It all depends on the way the controls are built in the new TV's. The power is always "on" to the power suppy and much of the electronics, some need a signal to turn the rest of the components on - from the remote or "on" button, others are always on until they get a signal to turn "off" the components for the picture tube, sound amplifier. Don't worry about it, LostArt, you didn't break it - not this time, at least!!!:p

[LostArt]

LOL! How do you know I break things??? :D

Well, I guess you guys are electronic wizards too???? Heh.

[tramp67]

[QUOTE=LostArt;59915]LOL! How do you know I break things??? :D

Well, you ARE a woman!!!:p

[LostArt]

But, I do not intentually mean to! :D

[tramp67]

But, I do not intentually mean to! :D

You just have a knack for it. I think it's an evolution thing, women's ability to destroy anything mechanical or electrical means they will always have a need for men - keeps us from sharing the same fate as male spiders, honeybees, etc. :eek: Because of this evolutionary ability, we serve a purpose other than just breeding!:rolleyes: Of course, if you get too destructive, the Boss might decide life is just too darn difficult with you breaking everything. Remember, LA, moderation!:cool:

[LostArt]

LOL! Oh, I don't think that will happen. The Boss is more destructible than I am! :D

[tramp67]

LOL! Oh, I don't think that will happen. The Boss is more destructible than I am! :D

What a scary thought!:eek::eek:

[LostArt]

What a scary thought!:eek::eek:

Yeah, and even more of a klutz than I am! And he is going off shore fishing! :eek:

Yeah, I'm still concerned about THAT! More so than working storms!

[Boomer gone soft]

LA,

Did your question get answered?

[tramp67]

LA,

Did your question get answered?

Was there a question?!:p

[LostArt]

LA,

Did your question get answered?

Yes, Boomer, it did. :D Thanks!

[BigClive]

Reclosures I personally hate them. They are usually timed. Your lights will go off and on usually three time and your out. Usually 5 mins, 10 mins........bang finished until a lineman shows up. I sit here and go OH NO.....Once, twice and three times your screwed at least 6 hours for a lineman in our area. P.S. I am the grand wizard of Christmas lights. I made Mr. Borden put an outside outlet on every corner of the house on separate breakers. I have it down to a science after all the OH ****.....GOD D$(% stupid breaker.

Had a near blackout here on the Isle of Man recently. The recloser put it back in twice then the lights just dipped briefly as the fault cleared and we got to watch the rest of the DVD. :D After the first two mini blackouts I ran to find a torch before the third.

As for you being the Grand Wizard of Christmas Lights... You'll have to fight me for that one honey. :D But I get PAID for doing it! :cool:

[LostArt]

http://www.avowners.com/forum/smileys/ass843xx.gif

I burn candles when the Boss isn't home. Burned them two nights this weekend. No, didn't burn the house down----how 'bout that Tramp! :D

[tramp67]

http://www.avowners.com/forum/smileys/ass843xx.gif

I burn candles when the Boss isn't home. Burned them two nights this weekend. No, didn't burn the house down----how 'bout that Tramp! :D

It's probably too humid down there this time of year for the house to catch fire! Or, are you using those new L.E.D. "candles" they're selling now?:p

[woody]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...L.A. ..........DON'T WANNA KNOW HOW MANY CANDLES ARE BURNING...JUST WANNA WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THE BEST. woody...p.s. don't know why I just posted cap. .... but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

[tramp67]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LA!!!! WOW, WHAT A LOT OF CANDLES THAT MUST HAVE BEEN!!! Must be why you were burning candles all last weekend, you were trying to find out how long it takes to light that many!!!:p

[LostArt]

LOL!

Hey Woody! Man, long time no hear from! I did let the secret out on how old I am------I'm TOO DARN OLD! :D

Tramp, I didn't have THAT many candles in the house! http://www.avowners.com/forum/smileys/ass843xx.gif