Poor connection in hot line clamps used for taps off a main line or for equipment connections, etc. are notorious for causing RF noise as well as creating fires and shock hazards in situations like Tom mentions.
Hot line clamps are used where it is not cost effective to install disconnect switches. The older hot line clamps did not have spring loading, and in time, with wind vibration, the clamps had a tendency to loosen. Three things have been done to mitigate this problem of burning a tensioned conductor in two. 1. Hot line clamps now have spring loading. 2. Hot line clamps typically have a dab of oxide inhibitor in the mouth of the clamp as it comes from the factory. 3. Most utilities crimp install a "Saddle" loop on the conductor, and then connect the hot line clamp to the saddle. Then, if the hot line clamp connection fails it only burns the saddle loop, and not the tensioned conductor. Mis dos centavos, de Milt, N5IA -----Original Message----- From: Tom W8JI Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 11:22 AM To: Rick Dettinger ; [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] AC Pole Interference I think the real concern is small junk falling, but after that experience with the loose hot clamp I realized molten copper could be a problem. That thing eventually would have burned right through the primary, and the primary would have dropped. 73 Tom ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
