Adelphia Communications says violations being fixed.

Byline: Kathryn Balint

Oct. 1--Bankrupt Adelphia Communications is scrambling to fix 164 electrical code violations in Fallbrook that pose a risk of electrocution or fire and could stand in the way of transferring the cable TV company's North County system to Time Warner.

The code violations were identified by an inspector hired by San Diego County to spot-check Adelphia's system in Fallbrook.

The inspector estimates that the number of violations exceeds 3,000 in Adelphia's system in the unincorporated areas of the county, including Lake San Marcos, Rancho Santa Fe and Fallbrook. About 11,000 of Adelphia's 75,000 subscribers in San Diego County live in those areas.

Adelphia does not dispute the county's findings.

"First and foremost, these are not safety violations," said Bob Gold, a publicist for the cable company. "These are code violations."

Gold said Adelphia has begun fixing the violations identified in Fallbrook and intends to complete the project within the next three weeks. He said the company also plans to survey the rest of its system to identify any other violations.

Gold blamed the violations on subcontractors who did not adhere to the electrical code, ever-changing codes and natural wear-and-tear on the system.

In those places where violations were found, the risk of electrocution or fire is relatively low but remains a worry to the county and to residents.

Fallbrook resident Norman Jarnes, …