How To Run An Overhead Electric Service Through Trees

The almost common issues nosotros observe with overhead powerlines during home inspections are copse rubbing up against them and exposed connectors that present an firsthand shock or electrocution hazard. When nosotros discover either one of these conditions, we recommend repair. The question that always follows is "Who's responsible for that?"

Tree Branches

According to Xcel Free energy, tree branches in contact with the overhead powerlines between the pole and business firm are the responsibility of the homeowner. Of course, this is only fair. Tree maintenance should exist the responsibleness of the homeowner, non the power company. Before trimming trees around overhead powerlines, you should contact the power company to have your service temporarily disconnected.

The one exception is if a tree branch falls onto ane of the overhead powerlines. If this happens, it's considered an firsthand safety hazard. Xcel Energy will take care of this issue at no charge to the possessor.

Exposed connectors

The power company owns the overhead conductors and the clamps that connect them. The diagram below shows the parts that are endemic by the utility visitor and the parts that are owned by the homeowner.

And this annotated epitome below, courtesy of Xcel Energy, shows the same affair:

If there is frayed or damaged insulation on the conductors owned past the power company, they'll ready it at no cost to the owner. As well, if there are exposed connectors, Xcel Energy will correct this at no cost.

The photos below all came from houses that we've inspected where there were exposed connectors, which connect the utility lines to the house.

These are all immediate safety hazards that should exist repaired past the utility visitor. While you may be thinking to yourself "only those are too high to even reach"… merely imagine waving effectually an aluminum roof rake afterwards a heavy snow. Scary, huh?

The expert news is that all information technology takes to get these corrected is a call to the utility company. To help brand sure that the utility visitor understands the problem, it'due south helpful to tell them that your home inspector has identified exposed, uninsulated connectors at the overhead power lines.

If Xcel Free energy tells yous that this isn't their responsibility and that you lot accept to hire your own electrician to set up this condition, don't buy it. But thank the person you lot're talking to for their time and remember again. Y'all'll get someone else, and they'll probably exist more helpful. If they're non, call back a tertiary fourth dimension if you lot take to. I've had countless clients get through this Xcel Free energy over the by couple of decades, and this is the way it has always been.

Note: the proper noun for the overhead power lines that come up into the home is "service drop". I say overhead ability lines because this is what everyone else calls them, and my goal is to be understood.

Author:Reuben Saltzman,Structure Tech Home Inspections