Visitor
•
1 Message
Installer damaged electrical service line
Service location:
[Edited: "Personal Information”]
We purchased this house and activated our internet service with no issues. We had a lot of construction done and want an additional jack in the basement where our networking equipment is going to be placed. There are no coax cables in the basement, and the existing ones go into the wall and upstairs.
I went into the local store to schedule a tech visit since I could not get the AI assistant to understand what I was requesting. I was very happy to acknowledge the $100 fee for the tech to get the install done correctly since the existing installation was a mess on the outside.
To start off the tech doesn't seem to understand that I want a jack added. He asked, what kind of jack several times, and I replied coax, f-type every time. He seemed confused until I pointed at my network install and said I want to move my cable gateway down here. This was my first mistake, using the word move.
The tech then proceeds to grab a chair and stand on it to look at the top of the basement wall (they are 8 foot walls so a little higher than normal). He didn't go get a ladder, or even ask if he could use ours that was just a little farther down the wall.
All seemed to be understood, he got his drill and proceeded to make a hole in our brick wall, or so I thought. He drilled the mortar next to our electrical service entry. The coax cable is directly touching the main power cable, and the drill nicked the power cable. He was fractions of millimeters from death as there is no breaker between what is in the basement and the transformer.


This is the main concern because everything else that happened is easily correctable. The concern is the tech's supervisor was only willing to send the same tech out to fix the other issues remaining even though his reckless disregard for his safety and property.
He was willing to leave the installation for a workorder requesting cleanup of cables in the state pictured below:

He did come back, and I told him that I did not want to disconnect the existing run to the house that was left dangling.
Once I discovered the existing jacks were not working opened the box and took a closer look at the install. He HID the existing run behind the box! He admitted this when I called him. He refused to split to reactivate the other jacks.

The tech's supervisor called shortly after I called the tech since I got rather heated. He offered to send the tech back to activate more jacks. I said I do not want this tech back again given his complete lack of understanding of how to do a correct and SAFE installation.
I need to open a property damage claim for the damaged electrical service line.
The activation of other jacks I can handle myself. The problem is I paid $100 for this to be done correctly - my exact phrasing to the person in the store.
I will need a NEW cable ran for the one added today to get it away from the electrical service line, since I am sure being that close to 100 amps of current will affect the quality of internet service delivered over that cable.
Any communication from Comcast would be appreciated on this issue.


XfinityCliff
Official Employee
•
868 Messages
18 days ago
Hello @user_v5y21i and thank you for reaching out here on our Xfinity Community forums.
We appreciate you taking the time to explain what happened during the installation. Your description of the coax being routed against the electrical service line, along with your concern that the electrical line may have been damaged during drilling, is something we want to take seriously. We also understand why you would not be comfortable having the same technician return after the experience you described.
Our team can help review the service visit, document your concerns regarding the installation, and assist with getting the property damage concern submitted for further review. We can also review the remaining installation concerns, including the newly installed coax line and the work you originally requested.
Please send us a Direct Message with your full name and complete service address so we can access the account and determine the appropriate next steps.
If you believe the electrical service cable itself was physically damaged, please avoid touching or attempting to reposition the cable or nearby coax. Electrical service conductors can remain energized upstream of the home's main breaker, so any immediate electrical safety concern should be evaluated by the appropriate utility or a qualified electrician.
How to Send Us a Direct Message*:
(*Note: Never send a direct message to us unless requested by us.)
Click Here For an example of how to send us a Direct Message.
(edited)
0
0