TOT: copper theft

[Bill Wright]

have done to blow everyone's gear up? Took the neutral off or something?

Bill

[Dave Farrance]

They usually are bright enough to steal the earthing copper. Since Neutral and Earth are connected together and earthed at the substation, it seems to me that if the substation's Neutral is allowed to float, then a significant voltage could develop on the Neutral. That's when you discover the houses that have connection faults that connect the Earth and Neutral together, so that a huge current flows from the Neutral to the houses' local earth.

[dB]

>>> What have done to blow everyone's gear up? Took the neutral off or >> something?

At least this didn't happen on this occasion:

[Dave Farrance]

Neutral to float free of the substation's local earth, then the Neutral would gain a significant voltage. The Live and Neutral would probably float at 120V each, if it were not for the connection faults here and there at the resident's end that connect the Neutral and Earth together. And that might well result in a huge current flowing from the Neutral into somebody's gas pipe.

[alexander.keys1]

The fires and explosions could have been avoided if the gas and electricity supplies had been cut off early enough, but I suppose it was the usual excuses of "elfin safety", "computer says no", "I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that" etc. Also if the 'multiple' bit of Permanent Multiple Earthing had been done properly, then neutral current would have been able to return via a safe path.

If the Fire Brigade were on the ball, they could have cut the wires themselves, and would have knowldege of where the substations and valve houses are, so they could cut supplies if the gas and electric companies failed to co-operate, using demolition charges on the plant if necessary.

Instead TPTB encourage a defeatist attitude among the public, via their lackeys in the media, telling them that technology will go berserk and you can't prevent it, so you'd better not think you can change your situation either.