joezilla11
ArboristSite Operative
A black insulated line with a wire swirled around it sounds like power to me
Really?
The fact that you are asking these questions suggests a significant lack of expertise. This really sounds like it should be in the homeowner helper forum, although the answer is going to be the same: hire someone that knows what they are doing.
Those of us that actually know what we are doing with pruning and utility service have an excellent understanding of the risks involved and how to avoid the problems. No amount of on-line advice can give you the necessary talent to go near the utility service, so we are generally unwilling to give advice like that when we think it will just make you feel qualified to go get into trouble.
On this specific latest comment, you should not touch the wires at all with any falling branches, even if you think they are not going to electrocute you. This eliminates the risk of damage to wires or to yourself.
Oh god.. nevermind.
I don't think it was meant to be rude. Being able to identify the various lines on a pole is basic Arborist 101.
there are 4 wires on the phone pole. they are all the same. like a black tube with a thin wire swirled around. the lowest one is the largest.
so, my next question is, how sturdy are phone and cable wires? can they take a tug or light bumps?
Thank you for answering my question.
I DID call the power company. They DID come out. I dont know how that information was missed. I am paranoid about getting shocked and i dont work around electricity. That information seems to have been missed as well. In this case, i will not be within 50' of electricity. And i wasnt planning on ripping down the phone lines, the tip is grown into it. Again, how that info was missed, i dont know. I am taking every precaution i can to make sure theres no power. And 1 of my resources was this site. I got some solid information. For those that gave it, i appreciate it. I work very safe, clean and am a professional. So go wait for me to turn up in the injury forum if you like, i have things to do.
...I usually have the homeowner call and get the utility company trim the limbs that are in the power line...
You are not quite as rude as many of the folks that post here at AS, but you have certainly shown a willingness to share your opinions, so we have presumed that we don't need to treat you with kid gloves. Have fun, hang out, learn a bunch, and try not to pick any fights (verbal) that you don't want to finish. As pointed out elsewhere in this thread, you can't be too thin skinned in Arb 101. If you think we are a rough lot here, come on down to commercial climbing and test the waters there.
... Never call a coastal logger a lumberjack...
Just remember Tramp, when a logger drops a tree wrong, he gets a hanger. When an arb does it, he ends up buying a house he didn't really want.:msp_wink: