[benick[_2_]]

As I have said in a couple of other threads I just completed a bathroom
reno and I ran into a rather interesting problem..When I took off the
faceplate to add a breaker for the bathroom I found live wasps and about 3
inches of dead ones in the bottom of the box..I went outside and observed
wasps flying in and out of the gaps around the 3 wires entering the weather
head..I can't believe they made it all the way down thru the meter into the
basement but they did..I hosed the weatherhead with wasp spray and cold
weather came and I haven't seen anymore but I'm looking for a more permanant
solution..Is there a way to seal around the wires?? I know I will have to
call the power company to kill the power to do this but need a plan before
doing so and don't expect a clerk at Home Depot to know the answer so I'm
asking the knowledgable folks here...Any suggestions ?? Thanks as always...

[Mikepier]

On Jan 1, 10:40*pm, "benick" wrote:
As I have said in *a couple of other threads I just completed a bathroom
reno and I ran into a rather interesting problem..When I took off the
faceplate to add a breaker for the bathroom I found live wasps and about 3
inches of dead ones in the bottom of the box..I went outside and observed
wasps flying in and out of the gaps around the 3 wires entering the weather
head..I can't believe they made it all the way down thru the meter into the
basement but they did..I hosed the weatherhead with wasp spray and cold
weather came and I haven't seen anymore but I'm looking for a more permanant
solution..Is there a way to seal around the wires?? I know I will have to
call the power company to kill the power to do this but need a plan before
doing so and don't expect a clerk at Home Depot to know the answer so I'm
asking the knowledgable folks here...Any suggestions ?? Thanks as always....

"Great Stuff" expanding foam.

[benick[_2_]]

"Mikepier" wrote in message
...
On Jan 1, 10:40 pm, "benick" wrote:
As I have said in a couple of other threads I just completed a bathroom
reno and I ran into a rather interesting problem..When I took off the
faceplate to add a breaker for the bathroom I found live wasps and about 3
inches of dead ones in the bottom of the box..I went outside and observed
wasps flying in and out of the gaps around the 3 wires entering the
weather
head..I can't believe they made it all the way down thru the meter into
the
basement but they did..I hosed the weatherhead with wasp spray and cold
weather came and I haven't seen anymore but I'm looking for a more
permanant
solution..Is there a way to seal around the wires?? I know I will have to
call the power company to kill the power to do this but need a plan before
doing so and don't expect a clerk at Home Depot to know the answer so I'm
asking the knowledgable folks here...Any suggestions ?? Thanks as
always...

"Great Stuff" expanding foam.


I was thinking that as well but wondered how it would hold up with the wires
swaying in the wind...

[Steve Barker[_6_]]

On 1/1/2011 9:40 PM, benick wrote:
As I have said in a couple of other threads I just completed a bathroom
reno and I ran into a rather interesting problem..When I took off the
faceplate to add a breaker for the bathroom I found live wasps and about
3 inches of dead ones in the bottom of the box..I went outside and
observed wasps flying in and out of the gaps around the 3 wires entering
the weather head..I can't believe they made it all the way down thru the
meter into the basement but they did..I hosed the weatherhead with wasp
spray and cold weather came and I haven't seen anymore but I'm looking
for a more permanant solution..Is there a way to seal around the wires??
I know I will have to call the power company to kill the power to do
this but need a plan before doing so and don't expect a clerk at Home
Depot to know the answer so I'm asking the knowledgable folks here...Any
suggestions ?? Thanks as always...

great foam. stick the tube in where the wasps go. no power company
required.

--
Steve Barker
remove the "not" from my address to email

[Steve Barker[_6_]]

On 1/1/2011 9:56 PM, benick wrote:
"Mikepier" wrote in message
...
On Jan 1, 10:40 pm, "benick" wrote:
As I have said in a couple of other threads I just completed a bathroom
reno and I ran into a rather interesting problem..When I took off the
faceplate to add a breaker for the bathroom I found live wasps and
about 3
inches of dead ones in the bottom of the box..I went outside and observed
wasps flying in and out of the gaps around the 3 wires entering the
weather
head..I can't believe they made it all the way down thru the meter
into the
basement but they did..I hosed the weatherhead with wasp spray and cold
weather came and I haven't seen anymore but I'm looking for a more
permanant
solution..Is there a way to seal around the wires?? I know I will have to
call the power company to kill the power to do this but need a plan
before
doing so and don't expect a clerk at Home Depot to know the answer so I'm
asking the knowledgable folks here...Any suggestions ?? Thanks as
always...

"Great Stuff" expanding foam.


I was thinking that as well but wondered how it would hold up with the
wires swaying in the wind...

if you get the tube up IN the weather head and let 'er rip, there won't
be any foam where the wires are moving.

--
Steve Barker
remove the "not" from my address to email

[metspitzer]

On Sat, 1 Jan 2011 22:40:41 -0500, "benick"
wrote:

As I have said in a couple of other threads I just completed a bathroom
reno and I ran into a rather interesting problem..When I took off the
faceplate to add a breaker for the bathroom I found live wasps and about 3
inches of dead ones in the bottom of the box..I went outside and observed
wasps flying in and out of the gaps around the 3 wires entering the weather
head..I can't believe they made it all the way down thru the meter into the
basement but they did..I hosed the weatherhead with wasp spray and cold
weather came and I haven't seen anymore but I'm looking for a more permanant
solution..Is there a way to seal around the wires?? I know I will have to
call the power company to kill the power to do this but need a plan before
doing so and don't expect a clerk at Home Depot to know the answer so I'm
asking the knowledgable folks here...Any suggestions ?? Thanks as always...

I would start by just sealing the opening at the panel. Climbing a
ladder would be the last desperate action.

I would rap a rag around the wires to keep the sealant from dripping
on the wire/terminals.

Pick a few other spots to seal while you are at it. You can't reuse
the stuff.

[Sjouke Burry[_2_]]

benick wrote:
As I have said in a couple of other threads I just completed a bathroom
reno and I ran into a rather interesting problem..When I took off the
faceplate to add a breaker for the bathroom I found live wasps and about 3
inches of dead ones in the bottom of the box..I went outside and observed
wasps flying in and out of the gaps around the 3 wires entering the weather
head..I can't believe they made it all the way down thru the meter into the
basement but they did..I hosed the weatherhead with wasp spray and cold
weather came and I haven't seen anymore but I'm looking for a more permanant
solution..Is there a way to seal around the wires?? I know I will have to
call the power company to kill the power to do this but need a plan before
doing so and don't expect a clerk at Home Depot to know the answer so I'm
asking the knowledgable folks here...Any suggestions ?? Thanks as always...

Silicon paste?

[Ed Pawlowski[_2_]]

?
"Mikepier" wrote

"Great Stuff" expanding foam.

Or silicone caulk.

[aemeijers]

On 1/1/2011 11:03 PM, Steve Barker wrote:
On 1/1/2011 9:56 PM, benick wrote:
"Mikepier" wrote in message
...
On Jan 1, 10:40 pm, "benick" wrote:
As I have said in a couple of other threads I just completed a bathroom
reno and I ran into a rather interesting problem..When I took off the
faceplate to add a breaker for the bathroom I found live wasps and
about 3
inches of dead ones in the bottom of the box..I went outside and
observed
wasps flying in and out of the gaps around the 3 wires entering the
weather
head..I can't believe they made it all the way down thru the meter
into the
basement but they did..I hosed the weatherhead with wasp spray and cold
weather came and I haven't seen anymore but I'm looking for a more
permanant
solution..Is there a way to seal around the wires?? I know I will
have to
call the power company to kill the power to do this but need a plan
before
doing so and don't expect a clerk at Home Depot to know the answer so
I'm
asking the knowledgable folks here...Any suggestions ?? Thanks as
always...

"Great Stuff" expanding foam.


I was thinking that as well but wondered how it would hold up with the
wires swaying in the wind...

if you get the tube up IN the weather head and let 'er rip, there won't
be any foam where the wires are moving.


Assuming the main feed lines are in conduit from the breaker box up to
the meter base, you could foam at the bottom end (with fire-rated, of
course), where the wires don't move around, and keep them out of the
house. I presume they were seeking warmth, and followed the warm breeze
from the weather head.

But the first thing I'd do is call the power company and ask. Around
these parts, everything upstream from the meter base is their problem.
If they are in the service panel, they are in the meter base, and thus a
danger to the power company techs, Sounds like the weather head may need
replacement, or at least a new boot. Their field service guys will have
seen this before, and know what the best cure is. They may say your
problem and your nickel, but they can point you at somebody to hire.

--
aem sends...

[Stormin Mormon]

That, or diversigum.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Mikepier" wrote in message
...

"Great Stuff" expanding foam.

[The Daring Dufas[_7_]]

On 1/1/2011 9:40 PM, benick wrote:
As I have said in a couple of other threads I just completed a bathroom
reno and I ran into a rather interesting problem..When I took off the
faceplate to add a breaker for the bathroom I found live wasps and about
3 inches of dead ones in the bottom of the box..I went outside and
observed wasps flying in and out of the gaps around the 3 wires entering
the weather head..I can't believe they made it all the way down thru the
meter into the basement but they did..I hosed the weatherhead with wasp
spray and cold weather came and I haven't seen anymore but I'm looking
for a more permanant solution..Is there a way to seal around the wires??
I know I will have to call the power company to kill the power to do
this but need a plan before doing so and don't expect a clerk at Home
Depot to know the answer so I'm asking the knowledgable folks here...Any
suggestions ?? Thanks as always...

When I've installed a weather head, I've sealed it with duct seal. It's
a gray compound that looks and feels like modeling clay. I seal them
from the inside too before putting the metal hood/cover on the assembly.
You should be able to remove the metal hood without disturbing the wires
and fill the backside with any sort of nonconducting foam or caulking
compound. I wonder if one of the knockouts in the bakelite insulator is
open with no wire in it?

TDD

[benick[_2_]]

"aemeijers" wrote in message
...
On 1/1/2011 11:03 PM, Steve Barker wrote:
On 1/1/2011 9:56 PM, benick wrote:
"Mikepier" wrote in message
...
On Jan 1, 10:40 pm, "benick" wrote:
As I have said in a couple of other threads I just completed a bathroom
reno and I ran into a rather interesting problem..When I took off the
faceplate to add a breaker for the bathroom I found live wasps and
about 3
inches of dead ones in the bottom of the box..I went outside and
observed
wasps flying in and out of the gaps around the 3 wires entering the
weather
head..I can't believe they made it all the way down thru the meter
into the
basement but they did..I hosed the weatherhead with wasp spray and cold
weather came and I haven't seen anymore but I'm looking for a more
permanant
solution..Is there a way to seal around the wires?? I know I will
have to
call the power company to kill the power to do this but need a plan
before
doing so and don't expect a clerk at Home Depot to know the answer so
I'm
asking the knowledgable folks here...Any suggestions ?? Thanks as
always...

"Great Stuff" expanding foam.


I was thinking that as well but wondered how it would hold up with the
wires swaying in the wind...

if you get the tube up IN the weather head and let 'er rip, there won't
be any foam where the wires are moving.


Assuming the main feed lines are in conduit from the breaker box up to the
meter base, you could foam at the bottom end (with fire-rated, of course),
where the wires don't move around, and keep them out of the house. I
presume they were seeking warmth, and followed the warm breeze from the
weather head.

But the first thing I'd do is call the power company and ask. Around these
parts, everything upstream from the meter base is their problem. If they
are in the service panel, they are in the meter base, and thus a danger to
the power company techs, Sounds like the weather head may need
replacement, or at least a new boot. Their field service guys will have
seen this before, and know what the best cure is. They may say your
problem and your nickel, but they can point you at somebody to hire.

--
aem sends...



Good idea.It's the same here...I'll start there first and see what they
say...The conduit runs up the gable and curves out..In the end there is a
rubber cork(for lack of a better word) with 3 holes in it which are larger
than the wires going into it..Maybe just that part needs replacing..It is 50
years old...Thanks for all the suggestions...

[RBM[_3_]]

"benick" wrote in message
...
As I have said in a couple of other threads I just completed a bathroom
reno and I ran into a rather interesting problem..When I took off the
faceplate to add a breaker for the bathroom I found live wasps and about 3
inches of dead ones in the bottom of the box..I went outside and observed
wasps flying in and out of the gaps around the 3 wires entering the
weather head..I can't believe they made it all the way down thru the meter
into the basement but they did..I hosed the weatherhead with wasp spray
and cold weather came and I haven't seen anymore but I'm looking for a
more permanant solution..Is there a way to seal around the wires?? I know
I will have to call the power company to kill the power to do this but
need a plan before doing so and don't expect a clerk at Home Depot to know
the answer so I'm asking the knowledgable folks here...Any suggestions ??
Thanks as always...
In service weatherheads 200 amp and larger, I don't think I've ever seen one
that didn't have wasp nests inside. Seems like the perfect habitat for them.
I don't believe that the wasps in the panel have come down the pipe though.
I would be looking for an opening in the meter box or cable fittings between
the meter box and the panel. If you find one, fill it with silicone

[Stormin Mormon]

The power company will have their own ideas as to what to
use for sealant. If the weatherhead is on the power co side
of the meter, they may want to do the job themselves. It's
worth asking. The sealing may be a no charge job cause
you're a paying customer.

If the wires are in good shape, it might not be needed to
kill the power. Caulk or Great Stuff isn't known to be
highly conductive.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"benick" wrote in message
...
As I have said in a couple of other threads I just
completed a bathroom
reno and I ran into a rather interesting problem..When I
took off the
faceplate to add a breaker for the bathroom I found live
wasps and about 3
inches of dead ones in the bottom of the box..I went outside
and observed
wasps flying in and out of the gaps around the 3 wires
entering the weather
head..I can't believe they made it all the way down thru the
meter into the
basement but they did..I hosed the weatherhead with wasp
spray and cold
weather came and I haven't seen anymore but I'm looking for
a more permanant
solution..Is there a way to seal around the wires?? I know I
will have to
call the power company to kill the power to do this but need
a plan before
doing so and don't expect a clerk at Home Depot to know the
answer so I'm
asking the knowledgable folks here...Any suggestions ??
Thanks as always...

[Stormin Mormon]

Great Stuff hardens, rigid. However, it's also affected by
sunlight. So, it's a good idea to wait two days till it
hardens. And then trim the excess, and paint the exposed
surface. Otherwise the expanding foam gets brittle after a
while.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"benick" wrote in message
. ..

"Great Stuff" expanding foam.


I was thinking that as well but wondered how it would hold
up with the wires
swaying in the wind...

[benick[_2_]]

"RBM" wrote in message
...

"benick" wrote in message
...
As I have said in a couple of other threads I just completed a bathroom
reno and I ran into a rather interesting problem..When I took off the
faceplate to add a breaker for the bathroom I found live wasps and about
3 inches of dead ones in the bottom of the box..I went outside and
observed wasps flying in and out of the gaps around the 3 wires entering
the weather head..I can't believe they made it all the way down thru the
meter into the basement but they did..I hosed the weatherhead with wasp
spray and cold weather came and I haven't seen anymore but I'm looking
for a more permanant solution..Is there a way to seal around the wires??
I know I will have to call the power company to kill the power to do this
but need a plan before doing so and don't expect a clerk at Home Depot to
know the answer so I'm asking the knowledgable folks here...Any
suggestions ?? Thanks as always...
In service weatherheads 200 amp and larger, I don't think I've ever seen
one that didn't have wasp nests inside. Seems like the perfect habitat for
them. I don't believe that the wasps in the panel have come down the pipe
though. I would be looking for an opening in the meter box or cable
fittings between the meter box and the panel. If you find one, fill it
with silicone


I did check for other entry points but didn't find any..I'll check again to
be sure...