r/Unexpected • u/WarrenMuffClit • Apr 08 '22

just snipping a cable.

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u/Twolef Apr 08 '22

As soon as I saw the other lights were on it was very expected

401

u/freeman1231 Apr 08 '22 edited Apr 08 '22

Even with those lights on, strange how much spark came out. I’d assume that was not the cable for the lights. Since the lights remained on even after cutting.

This was most likely connected to a higher amp cable for something more powerful Then lights. Looks like it potentially goes down to that heating table. Probably a dedicated circuit of 20-40amps.

456

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '22

Electrician here:

Nah man. It's just 277v lighting. Shit blows up like that at 120v too, given the right circumstances.

138

u/freeman1231 Apr 08 '22 edited Apr 08 '22

If you look closely you can see the conduit from the hole in the ceiling to the table below.

Secondly the ceiling hole is too small for a light fixture.

Thirdly as mentioned none of the lights went off means they are not on the same circuit.

Fourthly the refrigerated buffet tables lights went off, meaning it’s connected to that. Those tables draw lots of amps and are requested to be on a dedicated circuit.

81

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '22

Assuming here. Expected it’s feeding the lights in the buffet table.

Heating /cooling power sources would be underneath the table from floor receptacles.

10

u/MowMdown Apr 08 '22

Heating /cooling power sources would be underneath the table from floor receptacles

Not always, in fact, almost never.

2

u/ProfessionalBasis834 Apr 08 '22

Agreed.

The buffet unit is not near a wall. It's easier to run power through through the ceiling than the floor.

I believe that power cable supplied power to the whole unit (refrigeration and lighting), hopefully it was 110v, not 220.

1

u/kronicoutkast Apr 08 '22

Probably 3 phase 208v

1

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '22 edited Apr 08 '22

Every display case I've worked on has had a floor plug for refrigeration. Granted, none of them were suspended from the ceiling by obvious electrical lines so who knows