Overhead electric breaking porch!

[PCustoms]

Building is fed by overhead service drop about 100' away.

The weather head is mounted on a piece of ridged, mounted to the 4x4 porch post. The weight and movement with the wind has bent the ridgid and twisted/split the doubled up 2"x6" that supports the truss tails. Trusses are cantilevered off the house, the is essentially 0 load on the post (the other posts are loose).

I didn't notice the issue when I originally bought 5 years ago, but noticed the problem a year or 2 after that. Doesn't seem to have gotten worse since. Spray foam was to block mice.

The porch is finally slated for a refurb this spring, it's got a few bad boards, drooping ceiling and needs a rail. How would you fix the structural issue?

Options I see:

1) Remove electric, set meter somewhere in woods and come in underground. Fix beam/post and finish porch. Most expensive but has other benefits long term (looks better and may shorten run to future outbuilding). I also question if the SE cabel running from weatherhead down under porch and over about 12+ feet to the meter is really code compliant (meter to main panel is another 10', and compliant here).

2) rebuild the beam and post. Add proper support to weatherhead, tied back to roof. Possibly tie beam back to main house structure?

 

[Bert_]

Seems like an odd install. Got any more pictures that might show why it was done this way?

It this your wire, going to an outbuilding/ect, or the utility's?

 

[PCustoms]

Seems like an odd install. Got any more pictures that might show why it was done this way?

What angle you looking for?

I suspect it was put there as it's the only accessable corner in the winter ( PoCo used to require access to read meter).

 

[Bert_]

You say the meter is elsewhere. Why can't the mast be there?

 

[PCustoms]

You say the meter is elsewhere. Why can't the mast be there?

Here's how it's setup. The cable goes under the porch along a joist to the meter pan, which is located on the foundation wall (walkout/drive out). Power is only available on this side of the house, opposite end is a mirror image porch and roofline.

Basically not sure if I want to fix what's there, reinforce or just move the whole mess and run underground from 100' away. I think if I go underground I'll set a new pole. (I'll own that) with a meter main on it. I'll then trench to the opposite end of the house, and run the conduit under the porch to avoid a longer trench.

 

[matt_i]

Now that I see the 2nd picture, it looks like the top link thats supposed to take the load of the cable tension is broken and laying on the roof (!!) That puts all of the cantilevered bending moment and the cable load on the top hanger of the vertical pipe, that you show in the first picture.

I think if you fix the top link your problem will be resolved. If it broke due to insufficent structure then maybe you need a more serious top link.

I know its serious load to put the kink in a piece of rigid IMC conduit. I don't know if its 1-1/2" or 2" by eye but still its a fairly serious steel tube.

 

[PCustoms]

Now that I see the 2nd picture, it looks like the top link thats supposed to take the load of the cable tension is broken and laying on the roof (!!) That puts all of the cantilevered bending moment and the cable load on the top hanger of the vertical pipe, that you show in the first picture.

I think if you fix the top link your problem will be resolved. If it broke due to insufficent structure then maybe you need a more serious top link.

I know its serious load to put the kink in a piece of rigid IMC conduit. I don't know if its 1-1/2" or 2" by eye but still its a fairly serious steel tube.

Yes, one of the guy supports either sheared a bolt or it somehow fell out. That's a 2” conduit bent out at least 6", so I'm concerned that even if I replace everything, is my roof attachment strong enough, or will it just rip out there next?

 

[firebirdparts]

Yep. Mystery solved. That would have held it.

It was originally triangulated up high next to the load.

 

[Dustball]

That porch post/beam setup isn't the right way to do it anyways. Replace it all with the right construction methods and it'll be plenty secure to hold the mast up in addition to fixing the disconnected mast anchor at the top.

 

[SALIV8]

The wires are exposed under the pipe right by your porch? Id be concerned about that also. Hope those wires insulation doesnt get rubbed there.

 

[frankush]

That OH service needs a thru the roof riser. What the pictures show is a hack job. If you're going to redo the porch, it will be a good time to redo the riser at a minimum.

 

[PCustoms]

That OH service needs a thru the roof riser. What the pictures show is a hack job. If you're going to redo the porch, it will be a good time to redo the riser at a minimum.

This entire electrical system was a hack job!

This and the meter is all that is left of the original installation.

 

[nadogail]

Have your plans been approved by your local authority having jurisdiction?

 

[rburke65]

Yes the 2” mast should be supported in line with the power drop. I installed electrical services for 11 years and never have I saw a service installed like THAT! On a porch support? Ahh NO

 

[PCustoms]

That porch post/beam setup isn't the right way to do it anyways. Replace it all with the right construction methods and it'll be plenty secure to hold the mast up in addition to fixing the disconnected mast anchor at the top.

How would you do it?

I've never framed a deck/porch like this before, looking around town it seems most posts are installed the same way

Since the roof is cantilevered trusses, there is no load on these posts, in fact the spacing is HUGE and the other 3 have gaps/carpet under the simpson L brackets. Plus they're all loose.

 

[Jinks]

Your third post is the correct way to fix this. Put aerial/wind/storm loads on a pole away from the house. Bury the final drop. It'll look better & quit causing damage to your house.

 

[PCustoms]

Thread bump

For a variety of reasons haven't gotten around to fixing this. Damage to house hasn't changed, so maybe there was an isolated incident (tree on line?) That caused the initial issue.

The idealist in me wants to set a pole (or a riser on a shed) in the middle of my property, move the overhead, install a meter/main and feed the house underground. This improves the aesthetics of the yard, let's me move my generator inlet further from the house and potentially feed a shop out back.

The cheapskate in me wants to rebuild the riser and post but I can't figure out how to do it right. Maybe that is the sign...

 

[jade97]

How far is the run from where it comes off the pole to your weatherhead? I'd run conduit from that pole to the house, with a new meter base.

 

[Drill Sergeant Arc]

Well, until you decide what your long term plan is you need to still repair/replace that/those top support(s) so the load is removed from that lower attachment point.

Although not permanent you could use a come-a-long winch to attach the conduit back to a higher point on the roof. And could probably even straighten it back out enough you could then replace the stiff-arm(s) with a piece of ridged 3/4” or 1” conduit.

That old support has it’s flattened end broke off from the mast swaying side to side as the wind moved the overhead wire. Those supports should have been ridged conduit and not thin-wall like they look they are. There should be a 5/16” or 3/8” u-bolt with a saddle that has serrated teeth clamped tight to the mast, then some good sized washers and additional nuts bolting the support to the remaining u-bolt threads sticking out from the first nut that is already holding the saddle tight.

The clamp must be tight to the mast before the lateral support Is attached, don’t try to get all of it secured at the same time with one nut because it will work loose and break the end off the support again. This will buy you some time while you come up with a long term solution.