Service lines

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DMD

I'm not Shady
Joined
Dec 19, 2012
Messages
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Location
FL
I have a small pruning job to clear some small branches around a security light on a pole that also supports the service lines coming into the house midway from the pole on the street. The lines are insulated and I have always heard that the power company (Gulf Power) won't clear around insulated lines. Assuming that is true. What should I expect when I call the power company to disconnect the lines so I can clear around them. Specifically, will they just de-energize the lines or will they lay the lines on the ground and will there be a charge for their service?
 
Can you not just work around the wires? Lead-in services are generally coated because tree branches and such touch them all the time. I imagine they would charge you for their services either way. If you are careful about the way you cut you will be fine. Don't put a running saw into the wires or snip them with pruners, you will get quite the zap then. Our crew does pruning and removals around hydro everyday and we never have the utilities shut down the lead-in service unless it was ripped down in storm damage.
 
Can you not just work around the wires? Lead-in services are generally coated because tree branches and such touch them all the time. I imagine they would charge you for their services either way. If you are careful about the way you cut you will be fine. Don't put a running saw into the wires or snip them with pruners, you will get quite the zap then. Our crew does pruning and removals around hydro everyday and we never have the utilities shut down the lead-in service unless it was ripped down in storm damage.
Coated does not mean they are insulated. Beware of that! Around here if branches are touching the service line hydro one will give the customer one free disconnect a year. I get customers to do it all the time. Electricity is the #1 killer of tree workers just remember that when working around any conductors.
 
Coated does not mean they are insulated. Beware of that! Around here if branches are touching the service line hydro one will give the customer one free disconnect a year. I get customers to do it all the time. Electricity is the #1 killer of tree workers just remember that when working around any conductors.
By all means, use the free disconnect if it's available. And yes coated does not mean insulated. We use dielectric pole pruners and the proper rubber insulated gloves when doing that kind of work, as well as a bucket truck in most cases. If you think it's unsafe to do, have it shut down. And cut small around wires.
 
I had the service lines dropped on a job I did over the weekend. It was free and simple. I called and scheduled the drop for the morning I was doing the removal. I called again when the tree was removed. They were back out and had the lines up before I could finish raking the yard.
 
I have a curious question regarding the term I've always heard about service lines. People say they are "covered" not "insulated". With the lines being 2 hots and a neutral,if they weren't "insulated" wouldn't they need to be separated rather than coiled around each other? Is the terminology used for liability reasons?
 
I have a curious question regarding the term I've always heard about service lines. People say they are "covered" not "insulated". With the lines being 2 hots and a neutral,if they weren't "insulated" wouldn't they need to be separated rather than coiled around each other? Is the terminology used for liability reasons?
Power lines can do curious things. I've seen bare secondary conductors in direct contact with one another with no problems. whether it be just the right amount of corrosion to keep it from shorting out, or some other reason- other times it takes only a small bump to short out.

The coating on the lines is designed to protect the conductor, not the worker- hence the term "coating" and not insulation. a small crack, pinhole, splice, anything can lead to death. Secondary voltage will kill! it is very possible that the coating on the upper side has been degraded by sunlight and weather, while the coating between the hotleg and neutral is still in tact.

If anyone is unsure, get the line dropped. If they won't drop the line and you're unsure- don't do the job. It's not worth it.
 
When you say service lines are you talking about the 220V running to the house? All of those Ive seen have been insulated from pole to house. I don't have the power compeny do it often, but they'll lay em down out here for you for free if you ask them. Might take a week to get them out though. Any wires should be considered hot, even cables used to hold up the poles. There is a lot of juice running around those poles and it always possible for it to get redirected some how, better safe them sorry.
 
There is a lot of juice running around those poles and it always possible for it to get redirected some how, better safe them sorry.

Google "dog shocked hydro pole" and it will make you think twice about taking a leak around one....

For example, this excerpt from the Globe and Mail (Canada) newspaper article Jan.2009:
"Two dogs out for walks on the same street in Toronto's west end have died in separate electrocutions near hydro poles, victims of a bizarre "stray voltage" problem that has prompted city-owned Toronto Hydro to launch a sweep of the entire system, fearing a human could be next."
 
They will literally "drop" the service line.

Let the customer know that the price will be lower if they can have their fridge go without power for a few hours ( make sure the cable/ tele lines have the slack to open the LZ if you take the off the fasteners).

We had a good laugh when a good climber took the truck & chipper to take down a baby in his dad's back yard. The service line came down without intent.

He is now a supervisor for a big line clearing Co., so stuff happens.

I would bet Toronto has underground electric service, and the dogs were spotting primary boxes. I used to remove and hang 54in. wallpaper, and would get stung regularly because 110V + water = shock.

You really need to learn the nuts and bolts about electicity before you decide your risk threshold.
 
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