Can you touch a service drop? This work is extremely dangerous; we recommend you contact a professional tree-trimming company to perform this work.
Never attempt to move or handle a service drop
. In the event of a downed power line resulting from high winds, falling trees, etc., call DTE to have the line de-energized and safely restrung.
How much power is in a service drop?
| Who Is Responsible For Fixing the Service Drop? | Power Company Qualified Electrician | Overhead wires running from pole to house X |
|---|
Can I touch a cable line?
A fallen wire is dangerous and should be kept away from you.
Don’t touch anyone or the line may be touching
. A downed power line can cause objects to become energized. Even telephone or cable lines can become energized if you touch them.
Can humans hang from power lines?
What is the difference between a service drop and a service lateral?
It consists of the electric meter and the service panel. A mast service drop is an overhead service drop where the service drop is connected to the mast knob. A clevis service drop is also an overhead service drop but the service drop is connected to a clevis or connector.
A lateral drop is an underground service drop
.
How does a service drop work?
If you live or work in a neighborhood that receives electric service from overhead power lines that run between utility poles, you tap into the energy grid through a line called a “service drop.” A service drop spans from a nearby utility pole to your home or business, and routes the high-voltage electricity running …
Can you use EMT for service mast?
Unless the raceway is supporting the drop from the pole you can use EMT
.
How do linemen not get electrocuted?
A live line worker is electrically protected by
insulating gloves and other insulating equipment
, and carries out the work in direct mechanical contact with live parts. The barehanded approach has a live line worker performing the work in direct electric contact with live parts.
Is the service line insulated?
Misconception #2: Power lines are insulated, so they’re safe to touch. This is a common misconception that many people have about power lines.
Power lines are not insulated
and you should always avoid contact with them.
Can I cut an unused phone line?
A: Cable and phone wires don’t carry current, so
it’s safe to remove them
. However, it’s critical not to cut into a power line, as you know.
Why can birds sit on power lines and not humans?
Birds are able to sit on electrical power lines because
the electrical current essentially ignores the bird’s presence and continues to travel through the wire instead of through the bird’s body
. A bird’s body is not a good conductor of electricity.
Why do train tracks not electrocute birds?
Because both of the bird’s feet are on the wire no electricity flows through it
. There is no circuit, its two feet are at the same electric potential, and electricity travels along the wire instead of through the bird, so the bird doesn’t get shocked.
What happens if you touch a downed power line?
Even if electric lines are not sparking or humming, fallen electric lines
can electrocute you if you touch them or the ground nearby
. Downed wires can energize other nearby objects, such as fences, water pipes, bushes and trees, buildings, and telephone/CATV/ fiber optic cables.
What wires do we get in the service drop?
The service drop consists of
three phase wires and a neutral wire
which is grounded. Each phase wire provides around 230 V to loads connected between it and the neutral. Each of the phase wires carries 50 Hz alternating current which is 120° out of phase with the other two.
Where do service drop conductors terminate?
Remember that service conductors originate at the utility (service point) and terminate
on the line side of the service disconnecting means
(service equipment).
Who is responsible for low hanging cable lines?
When confronted with what appear to be low hanging utility lines, you should first contact the utility responsible for the line, be it
the local electric company or phone, cable, or internet provider
. If the responsible utility is not known, the local electric company should be contacted.
Can you splice service entrance cable?
Service-entrance conductors can be spliced or tapped per 110.14, 300.5(E), 300.13, and 300.15
[230.46]. While the NEC allows this, maintenance considerations often make this method inadvisable. Remember, the NEC doesn’t tell you how to design an optimal installation [90.1].
What is an overhead service drop?
The overhead service drop, or underground service lateral, are
the electrical conductors that come from the utility pole, pedestal or ground-mounted transformer to the home
. Changes to the service drop will always be completed by the utility company, and the cost for most changes are the responsibility of the customer.
What is the most common service drop cable?
Triplex wire is commonly used for overhead, single phase service and contains three individual wires twisted around each other. The two insulated conductors are called the “hot” legs of the service while the bare (uninsulated) wire is the neutral wire of the service.
Can PVC conduit be used for service entrance?
The service entrance cap is designed for use with schedule 40 and schedule 80 PVC conduit
. The cap is crafted with PVC and features an extended cap for a weather-resistant termination.
Can PVC be used for overhead service?
PVC conduit can support conduit bodies in accordance with Sec. 314.23(E), Exception
. Physical damage — PVC conduit isn’t permitted to be installed if subject to physical damage, unless identified for the application (Figure). Schedule 40 PVC conduit is not identified for use where subject to physical damage.
What is the minimum size of wire to be used for service drop?
Ungrounded service-drop conductors can’t be smaller than
8 AWG copper or 6 AWG aluminum
, except in limited-load installations, where they can be as small as 12 AWG [230.23(B)].
Why can a bird sit on a power line?
Birds sitting on a wire don’t touch the ground (or anything in contact with the ground), so electricity stays in the power line
. But, if a bird touches a power line and equipment or other metal that is grounded, it gives electricity a path to the ground, and the bird could be shocked.
Why do squirrels not get electrocuted on power lines?
Electrical Conductors
When squirrels walk on power lines,
electricity would not travel from one end of the wire to the other faster by traveling through the squirrel
, so the electricity and squirrel both continue on their paths.
Can you touch a live black wire?
You will receive a shock if you touch a live wire and are grounded at the same time
. When a circuit, electrical component, or equipment is energized, a potential shock hazard is present. Black and red wires are usuallyenergized, and white wires are usually neutral.
Can you get shocked by a tree touching a power line?
This can be very dangerous as
it may lead to electrocution to anyone touching it or can cause the tree to catch fire
. Since branches can conduct electricity, it is always recommended that you do not try cutting down branches touching the power line. You will be putting yourself at the risk of an electric shock.
Why do birds not feel current?
It is stated that
there are cells and tissues in the bodies of birds that cause resistance to copper wires and disrupt the flow of electricity
. Indeed, birds do not get electric shocks from the wire even after sitting on them.
Who owns the telephone line to my house?
Phone System Basics
The phone company
owns and maintains the telephone lines (wires) that bring phone service to your house. The lines usually connect to the house at a gray plastic box mounted to an outside wall.
Do I need to cap off old telephone wires?
What happens if you cut a live wire?
The circuit breaker is likely to trip
when cutting a live wire. The sudden short caused by cutting live wires can cause sparks which could cause a fire or damage other electrical components which themselves could cause fires.
What does it mean when there are shoes hanging from power lines?
In some neighborhoods, shoes tied together and hanging from power lines or tree branches signify that
someone has died
. The shoes belong to the dead person. The reason they are hanging, legend has it, is that when the dead person’s spirit returns, it will walk that high above the ground, that much closer to heaven.
Why do electricians work with one hand?
Why do balloons explode on power lines?
The metallic coating on Mylar balloons conducts electricity, and can cause a short circuit or power surge when in contact with power lines
. This can lead to large-scale power outages, melting of electrical wires, and fires, leading to possible injuries and property damage.
Why do birds sit on power lines before storms?
They Get A Little Extra Warmth
. As the temperature drops, birds like to conserve their body temperature by sitting together, quite often for long periods of time. Because power lines are slightly warmer, these make an ideal perching place for birds to just sit and conserve their energy.
Can you touch train tracks?
Part of the danger lies in the fact that
when people touch the rail, they “stick” to it and the emergency services cannot help until the power is switched off
. And the problem is not solved by having overhead power lines instead. In wet weather the electricity can arc through the air and hit people four feet away.
Which one is the killer voltage or current?
An accidental shock can cause severe burns, damage to internal organs, and even death. 1 Interestingly, while most people think of electricity in terms of voltage,
the most dangerous aspect of electrical shock is the amperage, not the voltage
.
