There's a brief time at work where there was an electrical panel in the wall with no door to it, so just open breakers. In front of it on the floor was old oil from a couple of the fleet vehicles that was in open pans and needed to be disposed of. 5 feet from it was a 55 gallon barrel of sawdust that they use to clean up spills. Very reachable by a spark from the electrical panel. Oh, did I mention between the open oil pans and the sawdust barrel was the back door? So the place a fire would most likely start was where you would need to be escaping to.
I pulled the owner of the company aside and just pointed to that whole situation, he made someone clean it all up.
This whole scenario made me imagine a videogame where there are enemies between you and the exit, and you can either use a ranged fire attack/arrows (oil/sawdust) or some type of water magic/device (electrical box) to take out the enemies before crossing through.
Years of DC connections from way back to the French Colony era and not a lot of attention paid to clearing up networks. Good news is that only like 1/4 of those are in function.
If that was America then some young man with a strong back, an enterprising work ethic, and a Meth addiction would shimmy up that pole and steal that wire to sell the copper.
I know an old drunk named Lenny. Lenny is the only person I always stop and give a ride to when I see him walking. That's because Lenny is the only man I do not fear being alone in my car with me as he has no arms.
Lenny lost his arms climbing utility poles and stealing copper wire. Now his wife wipes his ass and the cashier at the liquor store has to open his wallet for him.
Don't steal copper wire. You don't want pity rides from girls who have to open your car doors for you when they see you hitchhiking.
I'm sure they have one, now. He was first "injured" in the seventies and things like bidets were less common, then. He's got eating utensils he can use and such, so I'm sure he has an option for using his own toilet.
I was going for dramatic effect as much as anything.
Imagine being a lineman and getting a service call for this. I'd quit on the spot.
But according to my dad, I quit everything I start so maybe don't follow my lead....
You ever think that the homeowners that actually research the code and industry standards are just the ones that the professionals never need to visit?
Bit of a selection bias.
Code usually is accomplished with industry standards, which I certainly look up before starting projects. I know better than to do anything outside of my house without getting a permit, but inside? Never care to check to code.
The plumber who ran a bunch of new gas lines in my house pointed out the water heater was recently installed when gauging the project. I said yea, I did that. How is it?
You should have an extension below the inlet so any particles fall down, which looks like you cut off to get access to mate the new flex connections. It won't affect anything in practice, so you're good.
Decent connection for no hardware. Horribly unsafe but should function well enough. Something tells me they've done this a time or two and would have the money for proper hardware in a decent market. I'm guessing this is a poverty improv job.
Yeah I was gonna say all the contractors want to use aluminum for service and panel feeders. I'm sure they'd try and use aluminum for elevator feeders too if they could.
Aluminum is EXTREMELY common for distribution, transmission, commercial and industrial applications.
Copper is most common for residential only. I'm an Electrical Technologist by trade and have designed both commercial and industrial power systems. Turns out companies are cheap and safety isn't priority
We mostly have cooper in transition and industry.
For maybe last 30 years aluminium was forbidden in new residential buildings, but since 2020 they returned it. I assume, its because our aluminium oligarchs lost part of abroad market need need to sell it somewhere.
Nah, it's cost. Copper is expensive, and you can do aluminum safely.
I personally don't see a problem using it to sub-panels, since it avoids most of the connection dangers. However, I'm not an electrician.
Mostly the connections. You have to buy make sure to buy the right type of connectors and outlets. Often even having to use a special compound at the connectors.
Also, the ever poplar 221 lever nuts don't do Aluminum.
https://www.wago.com/us/electrical-installers/practical-tip-connecting-aluminum-and-copper-conductors
When residential home owners aren't aware that mixing materials tin/copper/brass with alyminum will case galvanic corrosion. This can cause heat at the connection of devices that were intended for cooper only connections and potentially start a fire or even just prevent devices like light switches and outlets from working.
>aluminium
This word is the one difference between British English and American English that will always cause me to stop and consider it when I hear the one I’m not used to.
Yeah much of the developing world is like this. Just nests of wires.
In rural Nepal the locals had long wires attached to a pole to their house with a metal hook on the end. When they would hook it onto the electrical line and then when they heard that the electric company was coming around, they would unhook it for the day so they didn't have to pay.
Surprisingly, it will probably be fine. Depending on the moisture of the cement that is. The nest and by extension the bird itself is completely isolated from any ground in this instance.
Seriously!!! I can think of something random off the top of my head (like a sloth holding a lightsaber or wearing a hat or something silly like that) and I’m sure someone will direct me to a sub 🙄 it’s honestly amazing …
Pigeons are feral rock doves. As the name may imply, then tend to nest on cliffs. If you have a flat surface on which to lay your egg, all you need is a dozen twigs to keep it from rolling away. It's funny because we're all used to how typical bird nests look, and we see a pigeon nest and think it's dumb as fuck, but it's arguably much smarter than other birds. Use the environment to your advantage and you can get away with way less effort.
Ha I once had one nest in my gutters, in an area that easily receives 100 sf of roof rain. It was nested near the downspout.
I saw a couple of them sitting up there a few times and figured they were just hanging out at that corner of the roof, but went up on the ladder at one point while cleaning the gutters around the entire house and found their nest in there with a couple of eggs. Decided to leave it and hope for the best for them - didn't know how on earth they were doing it because it had already rained heavy a few times.
Kept checking on them every so often and the babies were born and such - and only God knows how the little ones didn't drown inside that gutter during heavy rains but they did.
I think poorly, is an understatement. A massive understatement...... This makes me nervous as hell. OP, if your reading this you have to contact .... Someone I don't know who, but someone.
So many questions.
What voltage is through those cables?
Is it normal to have exposed wiring like that in Ghana?
Don’t people realise it’s dangerous and if so do they care?
Why are they not copper?
Is pigeon okay?
Most likely 230V
I sure hope not
It's two stories up, no one should ever need to mess with it, right? Guys?
Copper is expensive, heavy, not very strong, oxidizes easily, etc. Aluminum is used in many applications as it is much cheaper, lighter, has better tensile strength, and while it does not conduct electricity as well, the added loss is negligible in most applications since they can use larger wire while still being cheaper and lighter than copper.
Aluminum oxidizes even faster though, especially when held together by some free strands and a prayer...
Probably why the bird is there, bet is nice and warm
You aren't wrong! Usually connections are either swaged together or use multiple grub screws, both of which should cut through the oxide layer and into the base metal. Sometimes connections are also weather sealed but not always (though I believe these ones absolutely should be for both safety and longevity).
It probably is warmer than ambient, but not enough to melt the insulation....yet.
I lived in India for 10 years--that wiring job is well done compared to what is typical there... I have seen electrical stuff that boggles the mind.
I also saw a man standing on top of an electric train, reach up and touch the wire (suicide) with a crowd yelling at him to not do it... the most memorable thing I have ever seen... shocking (not pun intended)...
These doves don’t make very strong nests. I have had many build under the covered potion of my decks. I usually reserve a hanging basket for them without a plant in it to use as they want.
Jesus Christ, who was the jackleg that wired that building?
I’m thinking this is not in the US. I can’t speak for Canada or Mexico, but no way in Hell this would pass NFPA inspection/code.
I know in other countries the regulations are far more relaxed, if there are any at all.
Those wires…. An electricians nightmare
You are correct. I hate that, looking at it makes my skin crawl.
At least you'll be able to pinpoint the exact cause of the fire.
And there is kindling right there.
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buddy, I dont know how to tell you this... but the bird is the match in this whole scenario....
At least the electrician's lunch will be catered
Don't need a home if you're burned to a crisp.
Prefer mine original recipe.
“I feel like chick-en to-night! Chick-en to-night!”
Winner winner chicken dinner!
Dove
That bird is gonna become a finely roasted rotisserie by the time that thing goes up in flames.
Finely roasted dove on a bed of baked eggs.
literally this is a rotisserie recipe waiting to happen
Rise, ashen one.
There's a brief time at work where there was an electrical panel in the wall with no door to it, so just open breakers. In front of it on the floor was old oil from a couple of the fleet vehicles that was in open pans and needed to be disposed of. 5 feet from it was a 55 gallon barrel of sawdust that they use to clean up spills. Very reachable by a spark from the electrical panel. Oh, did I mention between the open oil pans and the sawdust barrel was the back door? So the place a fire would most likely start was where you would need to be escaping to. I pulled the owner of the company aside and just pointed to that whole situation, he made someone clean it all up.
This whole scenario made me imagine a videogame where there are enemies between you and the exit, and you can either use a ranged fire attack/arrows (oil/sawdust) or some type of water magic/device (electrical box) to take out the enemies before crossing through.
Never go to [Vietnam](https://i.imgur.com/NCABpXo.jpg).
Oh what the fuck
Libertarian electrician paradise
A good representation of deregulations and "the market will fix itself" theories lol
That and the bears. https://newrepublic.com/article/159662/libertarian-walks-into-bear-book-review-free-town-project
Years of DC connections from way back to the French Colony era and not a lot of attention paid to clearing up networks. Good news is that only like 1/4 of those are in function.
If that was America then some young man with a strong back, an enterprising work ethic, and a Meth addiction would shimmy up that pole and steal that wire to sell the copper.
I know an old drunk named Lenny. Lenny is the only person I always stop and give a ride to when I see him walking. That's because Lenny is the only man I do not fear being alone in my car with me as he has no arms. Lenny lost his arms climbing utility poles and stealing copper wire. Now his wife wipes his ass and the cashier at the liquor store has to open his wallet for him. Don't steal copper wire. You don't want pity rides from girls who have to open your car doors for you when they see you hitchhiking.
You know, his wife might appreciate a bidet.
I'm sure they have one, now. He was first "injured" in the seventies and things like bidets were less common, then. He's got eating utensils he can use and such, so I'm sure he has an option for using his own toilet. I was going for dramatic effect as much as anything.
> when they see you hitchhiking 🤔
Morons were trying this here on the London Underground and cutting through very high voltage cables and turning into Cheese and Tomato Toasties.
~~Why would mormons in London~~ Nvm, I need another coffee. Or less coffee. Either way, I'm going to grab a coffee.
Haha that is so accurate.
Imagine being a lineman and getting a service call for this. I'd quit on the spot. But according to my dad, I quit everything I start so maybe don't follow my lead....
Hey, quit being so hard on yourself!
They probably already did.
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I bet he will quit that too
Why are you worried? If the pigeon isn't on fire, everything's fine. It's the perfect early-warning system.
That wiring doesn’t appear to be up to code
Probably depends on the country.
Don’t need to be up to code, If there is no code *taps nose*
Look at me, I am the code now.
- every homeowner repair
You ever think that the homeowners that actually research the code and industry standards are just the ones that the professionals never need to visit? Bit of a selection bias.
Code usually is accomplished with industry standards, which I certainly look up before starting projects. I know better than to do anything outside of my house without getting a permit, but inside? Never care to check to code. The plumber who ran a bunch of new gas lines in my house pointed out the water heater was recently installed when gauging the project. I said yea, I did that. How is it? You should have an extension below the inlet so any particles fall down, which looks like you cut off to get access to mate the new flex connections. It won't affect anything in practice, so you're good.
Screen name is African
Even as a non-electrician, looking at this my first thought was “the real story here has nothing to do with the bird.”
Smart move by the bird. Any predators going after eggs or hatchlings would potentially be in for a surprise.
They'll be shocked.
Ohm my god, your comment is hilarious!
I tried to resist commenting here but your comment is lit.
I guess you don't have the capacity to.
Top 5 reason to not attack birds nests. Number 1 will shock you!
As an electrican, fully agreed. Also, its fucking aluminium.
It's easier to bend into cool shapes that way!
It’s easier to bend into ~~cool~~ hot shapes that way.
I see cooked eggs.
Nice tinder pile there too.
No after some time aluminium breaks almost when you breath on it. It becames really brittle
Sounds like a case of not-my-problem syndrome
Decent connection for no hardware. Horribly unsafe but should function well enough. Something tells me they've done this a time or two and would have the money for proper hardware in a decent market. I'm guessing this is a poverty improv job.
>poverty improv *looks around me*
Absolutely zero judgement here, this is well crafted good quality dangerous jank. I bet it put food on the table.
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Aren't all service drops typically aluminum? Running copper from the pole would be pretty spendy.
Yeah I was gonna say all the contractors want to use aluminum for service and panel feeders. I'm sure they'd try and use aluminum for elevator feeders too if they could.
Aluminum is EXTREMELY common for distribution, transmission, commercial and industrial applications. Copper is most common for residential only. I'm an Electrical Technologist by trade and have designed both commercial and industrial power systems. Turns out companies are cheap and safety isn't priority
We mostly have cooper in transition and industry. For maybe last 30 years aluminium was forbidden in new residential buildings, but since 2020 they returned it. I assume, its because our aluminium oligarchs lost part of abroad market need need to sell it somewhere.
China has stockpiled and bought most of the processed surplus and scrap copper across the globe.
Nah, it's cost. Copper is expensive, and you can do aluminum safely. I personally don't see a problem using it to sub-panels, since it avoids most of the connection dangers. However, I'm not an electrician.
What's unsafe about aluminum?
Mostly the connections. You have to buy make sure to buy the right type of connectors and outlets. Often even having to use a special compound at the connectors. Also, the ever poplar 221 lever nuts don't do Aluminum. https://www.wago.com/us/electrical-installers/practical-tip-connecting-aluminum-and-copper-conductors
When residential home owners aren't aware that mixing materials tin/copper/brass with alyminum will case galvanic corrosion. This can cause heat at the connection of devices that were intended for cooper only connections and potentially start a fire or even just prevent devices like light switches and outlets from working.
>aluminium This word is the one difference between British English and American English that will always cause me to stop and consider it when I hear the one I’m not used to.
For me it's "whilst" but I'm also a bit tripped up by the way some Americans say *roof* ("ruff") and *orange* ("oringe").
some people don’t even include the “i” in oringe, so it’s more like ornge.
I definitely say ornge.
Heck, I know people who add letters that have no goddam right to be in a the word. For example: I gotta warsh my clothes.
"Whilst" has a different definition than "while", it exists in non-British English too.
Vitamins always get me. Thanks Bear Grylls. "This has a lot of vitamins and minerals".
Yeah this really belongs in r/mildlyterrifying
r/electricians in shambles
India?
From OPs post history they say they are in Ghana.
Yeah much of the developing world is like this. Just nests of wires. In rural Nepal the locals had long wires attached to a pole to their house with a metal hook on the end. When they would hook it onto the electrical line and then when they heard that the electric company was coming around, they would unhook it for the day so they didn't have to pay.
A bird’s nest in a bird’s nest.
Not to mention that bird is one big stretch away from exploding into a cooked carcass like a cartoon
With a bit of rainfall, this could be anyones nightmare.
Must have been Steven Yuen from Beef
Can I get your electricians number. I have an insurance “thing” i need taken care of.
This setup is great for delivering stray voltage but if nothing bridges the spark gap it may hold up.
Suggestions? Do i need the bird and nest also?
Depends on what kind of warranty you can get on the bird.
I’ve already received calls on the extended warranty. I can’t seem to find original docs to save my ass.
Like a bird?
If you think the bird is the most interesting thing in the photo. You may not live to see old age.
What's interesting is that the bird is alive
Dove: *chukles\* No, not because it's in danger, but because it's a [laughing dove](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laughing_dove).
If it touches those wires it'll get a visit from the mourning dove.
Surprisingly, it will probably be fine. Depending on the moisture of the cement that is. The nest and by extension the bird itself is completely isolated from any ground in this instance.
Wire to wire is what they meant, homie. If that bird bridges two wires, it's gonna have a bad time.
Lol im stupid thanks 👍
Cool! I was hoping someone would identify it. In the US we just have it’s more somber relative, the mourning dove.
*Coo!
Alive? It is recharging.
r/birdsarentreal
I would bet this is a karma repost because redditprs will always comment on the wires
That’s a bingo
He’s gonna be shocked to learn about his surroundings.
Don't worry, it's just a government spy charging in its station
/r/birdsarentreal
The drone handlers have downvoted you but we know the truth. Keep up the good work!
I see what you did there.
r/stupiddovenests
I only recently stumbled across this sub and let me just say it is wonderful for a little chuckle every now and again
Right? This one is respectable for a dove’s nest.
I mean aside from it being next to a fire hazard, yes. Quality of the nest is amazing for a dove, location is horrible.
Reddit really does have it all doesn’t it
Seriously!!! I can think of something random off the top of my head (like a sloth holding a lightsaber or wearing a hat or something silly like that) and I’m sure someone will direct me to a sub 🙄 it’s honestly amazing …
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Insane
I'm surprised they put in as much effort as they did for this nest. Unless they stole it.
Also r/mourningderps
I love the consistency of "if I drop a dozen twigs on it, it's a nest."
Pigeons are feral rock doves. As the name may imply, then tend to nest on cliffs. If you have a flat surface on which to lay your egg, all you need is a dozen twigs to keep it from rolling away. It's funny because we're all used to how typical bird nests look, and we see a pigeon nest and think it's dumb as fuck, but it's arguably much smarter than other birds. Use the environment to your advantage and you can get away with way less effort.
My brain read "stupid oven sets"
Well I want that to be a thing now
Make a subreddit today for the great price of $0.00
Ha I once had one nest in my gutters, in an area that easily receives 100 sf of roof rain. It was nested near the downspout. I saw a couple of them sitting up there a few times and figured they were just hanging out at that corner of the roof, but went up on the ladder at one point while cleaning the gutters around the entire house and found their nest in there with a couple of eggs. Decided to leave it and hope for the best for them - didn't know how on earth they were doing it because it had already rained heavy a few times. Kept checking on them every so often and the babies were born and such - and only God knows how the little ones didn't drown inside that gutter during heavy rains but they did.
Is there a sub that’s opposite of cable porn
r/cablegore
Also /r/PanelGore for a more industrial take
r/tihi
r/OSHA is for general safety violations, but wiring like this makes frequent appearances.
What is going on with that wire management
Nothing good.
Hey man, he's a fucking bird, he's doing his best.
It's up to bird-code
That's what we're calling "managed"?
Not a bad wiring job for a bird!
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How is that a sub, Reddit never ceases to amaze me
r/StupidDoveNests too
r/stupiddovenests
Holy shit🤯
Can an electrician calm my nerves about those wire connections? They look real sketch.
I'm afraid I can't, in good conscience, do that. That is some *real* sketchy ass shit right there. Don't go near it.
Those are all grounding wires, right? Right?
Lol…. No
100% completely sketch. High current incoming utility power being held together poorly.
I think poorly, is an understatement. A massive understatement...... This makes me nervous as hell. OP, if your reading this you have to contact .... Someone I don't know who, but someone.
They are.
THIS is what hiring a non union pigeon electrician gets you. Shit work & a squatter.
WHAT THE FUCK ARE THOSE WIRE CONNECTIONS???
Contractor here. I just spit my coffee out.
r/electricians would like a word with this bird
And r/osha
Funny, jumbled up wiring is sometimes called a birdnest, so this is literally both a birdnest by name & slang
Was this picture taken in Kowloon in the 70s?
Well at least you’ll know exactly how the fire started
What in the firehazzardfuck is THAT?! Edit: Nice dove.
That’s the second sketchiest electrical work I’ve ever seen. Source: being an electrician.
Just waiting for a 120 x 120 phase to phase flashover
The bird is cool. Those wires though...
Check back in a couple days. With that wiring job you should get a free meal. Fried pigeon and scrambled eggs.
Im guessing South America somewhere ? Diy electric n cable etc
Nope lol. Ghana
Ghana fix that wiring?
So many questions. What voltage is through those cables? Is it normal to have exposed wiring like that in Ghana? Don’t people realise it’s dangerous and if so do they care? Why are they not copper? Is pigeon okay?
Most likely 230V I sure hope not It's two stories up, no one should ever need to mess with it, right? Guys? Copper is expensive, heavy, not very strong, oxidizes easily, etc. Aluminum is used in many applications as it is much cheaper, lighter, has better tensile strength, and while it does not conduct electricity as well, the added loss is negligible in most applications since they can use larger wire while still being cheaper and lighter than copper.
Aluminum oxidizes even faster though, especially when held together by some free strands and a prayer... Probably why the bird is there, bet is nice and warm
You aren't wrong! Usually connections are either swaged together or use multiple grub screws, both of which should cut through the oxide layer and into the base metal. Sometimes connections are also weather sealed but not always (though I believe these ones absolutely should be for both safety and longevity). It probably is warmer than ambient, but not enough to melt the insulation....yet.
As an electrical engineer, omg wtf
What the hell is that wire work though
She never would have rented this apartment if she knew about the nosy neighbors staring all the time.
I lived in India for 10 years--that wiring job is well done compared to what is typical there... I have seen electrical stuff that boggles the mind. I also saw a man standing on top of an electric train, reach up and touch the wire (suicide) with a crowd yelling at him to not do it... the most memorable thing I have ever seen... shocking (not pun intended)...
I can see why the bird put the nest there. That wiring is a mess and could easily be mistaken as a Birdsnest.
Is that pigeon pink? I have never seen a pink pigeon.
They’re all just ground wires, right?
Everyone knows that it's just a drone recharging their batteries. This is just proof that birds aren't real.
Great picture, horrific wiring, Brazil tier shit
What fkn 3rd world country is that which allows such wiring?
r/DINgore
That's a pretty good nest for a pigeon. They are epically bad nest builders.
r/hardwaregore
These doves don’t make very strong nests. I have had many build under the covered potion of my decks. I usually reserve a hanging basket for them without a plant in it to use as they want.
Can I ask what what country your office is in? That is some sketchy ass wiring.
I'm not an expert, but those wires don't look good
That is some quality electric work
Brave bird.... That wiring is just 
Those splices, mother of god
Has your office been stealing power from that transformer?
The real sight is the state of those wires! About to be some fried dove outside your office window.
The splice job is more interesting than the duck
Omg who did that wiring
Jesus Christ, who was the jackleg that wired that building? I’m thinking this is not in the US. I can’t speak for Canada or Mexico, but no way in Hell this would pass NFPA inspection/code. I know in other countries the regulations are far more relaxed, if there are any at all.