Jump to content
JPWH

Lead coated insulated wire

Recommended Posts

JPWH

This is 500 insulated copper with a lead outer jacket. Anyone have any knowledge to share about it.

KIMG0368.JPG.f1c8ff0b34a1b6a626bb25708455dd40.JPG

 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Jeff-C175
3 minutes ago, JPWH said:

Anyone have any knowledge

 

That's so that Superman can't see the copper.  He's a big scrapper ya know.  If he sees copper wire in your house he'll rip it out and scrap it before you know it!

 

Seriously... I've never heard of such a thing.  Wonder if it's for direct burial in the olden days?  Or maybe for use in a nuke plant.

 

Like I said... no idea!

 

Edited by Jeff-C175
  • Haha 3

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Jeff-C175

image.png.4f9f6ae2ec7f85d0f74bd41e95023116.png

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
JPWH

This wire was removed from a building built in the early 60's. It was the wire from a power company vault to the main service.

In my 45 years of electrical experience this is the first I have seen.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
kpinnc

Telcos used lead as an outer jacket on whats considered "underground" cabling. Typically in a metro environment, not in the dirt but more like drainage tunnels. They're also typically pressurized with a nitrogen mix. 

 

What's different with yours is its a single heavy conductor. Telco uses hundreds of insulated twisted pairs. 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
953 nut

There was a lot of it used in cable trays in the older part of the Carrier Air Conditioning plant in Syracuse, NY. I figured the lead encasement was an added layer of protection for the insulation.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
oldlineman

We use it in URD construction. Some Power companies use it in city URD systems in manholes, newer cable has a poly. jacket over lead for pulling protection, in duct work. Used in downtown Pittsburgh and I would think many other cities.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
CCW

Keep learning something new on this site.  That wire must weight a ton!

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Jeff-C175
39 minutes ago, CCW said:

That wire must weight a ton!

 

And at the scrap price of lead and copper it would not be on a pallet in my garage for long!

Might need to figure a way to strip the lead jacket and scrap separately though... for best price.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
JPWH
4 hours ago, CCW said:

Keep learning something new on this site.  That wire must weight a ton!

About 3lbs per ft. About 43% lead weight 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
JPWH
4 hours ago, Jeff-C175 said:

 

And at the scrap price of lead and copper it would not be on a pallet in my garage for long!

Might need to figure a way to strip the lead jacket and scrap separately though... for best price.

We have about 3000lbs of it.

Scrap man offered .62lb. I have started hauling it home to strip it out because I want the lead to make wheel weights. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
JPWH
6 hours ago, Jeff-C175 said:

 

And at the scrap price of lead and copper it would not be on a pallet in my garage for long!

Might need to figure a way to strip the lead jacket and scrap separately though... for best price.

I have the stripping part figured out.

KIMG0369.JPG.f6216c2d280e7d80962537a4aea78365.JPG

  • Like 4

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
 
Jeff-C175
4 hours ago, JPWH said:

stripping part

 

NICE!  looks like you made a cutting wheel for a bead roller?

 

  • Excellent 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
oliver2-44

The 6 Hydro Plants I worked at all originally used  500, 750 or 1000 MCM, leaded jacketed power cable in underground duct banks from the generator to substation transformer. 1938 to 1952 vintage. Some of the lead cables had an oil fill which of course had PCB in it. It was a bear to pull out to replace. The lead jacket takes a set in the bends.  Some of the CT wiring was also lead jacketed. Most of the control wire was true rubber jacket with asbestos wrap around the copper.  When I became a Project Manager that asbestos shot my 1st projects budget to hell.  Amazing I didn’t get fired, but no one else knew about the asbestos either.  Over my 40 year career we spent millions abating  Asbestos, Lead Paint and PCB’s. Even had to abate mercury filled level switches and fly ball governor over speed switches. 

  • Like 2
  • Excellent 3

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
JPWH
4 hours ago, Jeff-C175 said:

 

NICE!  looks like you made a cutting wheel for a bead roller?

 

@Jeff-C175 I started stripping the wire with a drill powered stripper with the help of my son. When I tried to again alone I couldn't hold the wire and run the drill so I had to come up with something. I had built this bead roller a couple years ago so it was a simple mod to have a wire stripper.

 

 

Edited by JPWH
  • Like 2
  • Excellent 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
JPWH
3 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

Over my 40 year career we spent millions abating  Asbestos, Lead Paint and PCB’s. Even had to abate mercury filled level switches and fly ball governor over speed switches. 

@oliver2-44 Thanks for the detailed information.

That explains why we had to have this wire tested before we could remove it.

  • Like 3

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
JPWH

I have never melted lead before so I decided to make a couple molds and give it a try.

This was the first batch. The second batch looked much better.

KIMG0370.JPG.f8b95be6deee97dd7e71a07255123469.JPG

 

KIMG0372.JPG.d3b0bec4cbec66b75be5cc85031366b9.JPG

Second batch in the skillet.

KIMG0373.JPG.828314b3c9371d8720096269c4bc77eb.JPG

I finally got it all cut up and ready to process.

KIMG0378.JPG.14ac3db70462865ddf071c4f4bd3fefc.JPG

  • Like 2
  • Excellent 1
  • Thanks 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
953 nut

:woohoo:           You could mold some "Tombstone Weights"           image.jpeg.edd15fd5ec88ae72865049ba6c2d3c42.jpeg

  • Excellent 3

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
SylvanLakeWH

Cool stuff! :handgestures-thumbupright:

 

I hope you are exercising appropriate caution with that lead... ventilation etc...

  • Like 1
  • Excellent 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
JPWH

They would have to be smaller or they might be too heavy! About 5 times the weight of cast iron. I would like to find one for a pattern and give it a try. I hope to be casting some lead hubcap style wheel weights soon.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
JPWH
5 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Cool stuff! :handgestures-thumbupright:

 

I hope you are exercising appropriate caution with that lead... ventilation etc...

Yes sir! Outside with a fan, face shield, and covered with leather.

  • Like 1
  • Excellent 1
  • Thanks 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...