Noob Question on Elec Wires

[DKdeOhio]

Hi guys -
I'd like to preface my newb question by saying this website is great...an interactive learning environment full of experience and answers. Best site around!
Anyway, with my Q - how close is 'too close' to electric wires? I'm deadwooding an oak tree and there is a limb (approx 4" diameter) that is about 2.5' below and 4' away from the electric wires on the street...its the last limb, and I want to get paid, but being alive is nice bonus as well..
Thanks in advance guys.
DK

 

[begleytree]

the minimum clearances differ depending upon voltage

for instance, standard (here) 7200volts, the clearance for LC trimmers is 2'4" and for non line clearance trimmers add 10', so its 12'4", but house drops are rated at 'aviod contact'.
so first, find out the voltage. it's usually on the can (transformer) here they are marked 7.2 but could vary greatly depending upon your area.

I urge you to contact the electric utility. they will not only tell you the voltage, but will either rubber up the lines or remove the limb back to safe clearance for you, for free.
-Ralph

 

[Dadatwins]

Welcome to the site, you will not like my answer, if you have to ask you should stay at least 10' from ANY wire anywhere near a tree. Electric usually needs a path to ground (direct contact, you touch the wire), or (indirect contact, the limb or tools touch the wire) to cause any harm and if the limb can be cut with no possibility of you or the limb touching the wire before, during or after the cut you should be OK. If you are not 100% sure I suggest calling the power company and ask them to come out and cut it. Be careful.

 

[DKdeOhio]

DadaT

No I like your answer and appreciate your candidness, DadaTwin.
No I will not come in contact with the wire (assumption?) The limb is VERY dead, 4" diameter approx 4' long, and it hangs approx 2.5' below wire at closest point...it was obviously trimmed awhile ago, someone decided it would be a good idea to leave it this way, I reckon...
Safe climb, and easily should not come in any contact - I am more concerned about 'arc'(?) or any type of voltage jumping to a gas powered or steel saw...
Thanks for the info so far, not sure if this post changes anything (BegleyTree??)

 

[hugashe]

i am a linemen! the power company will not mind putting up guts (insulating guards) or cutting the limb or limbs. you do not want to become the path to ground. its you life you have one (i think)

 

[begleytree]

Thanks for the info so far, not sure if this post changes anything (BegleyTree??)

it changes nothing as far as the regs are concerned. I get accused of being a hardazz, and its probably true. I was also going to post that if you have to ask, you need to stay away from the wires, but instead I tried to specifically answer your question.

ok, from your description this limb is below the wires. is it a single phase? v phase? 3 phase? neutral on the bottom?
if its 2'6" below the neutral wire and you are going to cut it down, and not have to raise it, or swing it, I'd be tempted to say cut it. but I can't see it from here. and I would hate for the pic in my head to not match up to real life and have me tell you to do something unsafe or even dangerous.
I understand your predicament, but you have to understand where I am comming from too. if it was enough to prompt you to ask about it here, maybe you need to listen to that voice in your head, and have the utility check it out for you, and tell you what you need to do, or what they need to do.

now for your arc question, I would say any single phase distribution line voltage is not going to arc the 2.5' + the 4' length (6-7') and hit your saw. but as sure as I say that, I read about you in the papers.... without seeing it or a few really good pics with voltages and distance measurements and humidity, circuit load, ect I am very hesitant to tell you that you are 100% safe to operate. you've been very competent about listening to advice on this thread so far. surely you can understand our position on this.
just remember, the utility will come out for FREE, and do whatever is needed to keep you safe, for FREE.
HIH
-Ralph

 

[StihlGirl2004]

no worries

I work for a company in pa that clears powerlines. If your below the line go ahead and cut it. The line should be insulated anyway.

 

[begleytree]

SG04, I'm sure others can back this up for us, but those wires are not insulated to protect against contact, they are insulated only to protect the wire.
please never trust utility line insulation, its not put on there to protect you.

-Ralph

 

[DonnyO]

good call

SG04, I'm sure others can back this up for us, but those wires are not insulated to protect against contact, they are insulated only to protect the wire.
please never trust utility line insulation, its not put on there to protect you.

-Ralph

Good call Ralph, I am always amazed by the number of people in the industry that are not aware of that little fact!

 

[DKdeOhio]

wires

I am 99.4% sure I would have absolutely no contact with the wires. The plan is a simple cut, no worries from the ground. The limb has been dead for a long time...it looks like I could break it off from my vantage point.
Okay BT, I'll continue to expose my newbness - I have no idea what 'type - classification' the wires would fall under...newb desription: two thick wires running between poles (over-under.) The funny thing: there is actually a large limb that extends between the the (2) wires out about 30'. That limb is thick enough that it is in constant contact with both wires (O/U.) Have no idea why it has not been removed by the utility company.
Other than that, gorgeous oak 65'+...
So consensus: "should" be okay? Still unsure if "should" would be okay with my family if I am inaccurate in my descrip....Would not hurt to call electric co, even if I am being overly cautious.(?)
Continued thanks, amigos and amigas. Good karma to those of you who take the time to help us rooks out.

 

[StihlGirl2004]

thanks Ralph. I am new at this. I've been climbing for only a year now and only been working on lines for about a month month and a half. Unfotunitly I have hit single phase lines once or twice luckily I have had no bad out comes. I've also hit the lines a few times with bucket booms during my training, and thats nothing to be proud of either.

 

[begleytree]

SG04, no, but anyone who tells you they have never boomed or tipped a line hasn't done much line clearance either, it happens to everyone when they are getting started.
that said, I worked production line clearance too, for many years as a climber, a foreman and a general foreman. the main thing to remember is that while they are always pushing you to be faster, you need to ignore that and go at a pace that is safe for you. speed comes with experience and experience comes with time. slow down and don't let them get you flustered and push you into a mistake or accident.
-Ralph

 

[JayD]

Line Clearance

Hi There,
There are course you can do to open up your eyes,electrical power is only under control until it finds a better path to earth...hopefully not you..a bare minimum would have the power company place a lions tail over the wires at the point of work, With power it's better to be safe than a statistic..you have to practice safe work procedures exspecially around power there's no second chance's..bare mininum. DO A COURSE !! Invest in your own safety!
Good Luck.

 

[dakota]

I have no idea what 'type - classification' the wires would fall under...newb desription: two thick wires running between poles (over-under.) The funny thing: there is actually a large limb that extends between the the (2) wires out about 30'. That limb is thick enough that it is in constant contact with both wires (O/U.) Have no idea why it has not been removed by the utility company.
.

You may even be looking communication wires - cable TV or telephone. I think you really ought to have someone show you the difference.

 

[beowulf343]

I work for a company in pa that clears powerlines. If your below the line go ahead and cut it. The line should be insulated anyway.

Whoa, scary! Ralph is right. That "insulation" is nothing more than a weather coating to help protect the line. Sure, you can take more chances with a coated line than you can bare copper, but all it takes is a spot of moisture, or a worn spot, and you will get zapped. It's an old adage and i've said it before, but treat every line as hot. Even if they are fully booted, sh!t can still happen. It's just a good habit to get into. Once you stop respecting the lines, you are going to feel the juice.
Good luck on the new career though. Nice to see a woman in the field. And ralph is right, accidents with the lines is nothing to be proud of, but we've all done it. Got some horror stories of my own when i was first starting out. The key is to learn from those mistakes and continue working safely.