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Overhead power lines are conductive lines used for energy transmission. They are installed and maintained by utilities and can carry multiple power lines and telecommunication cables. They can be dangerous and require constant inspection and maintenance. Customers should stay at least 10 feet away and report any hazards.
An overhead power line is a conductive line used for the transmission of energy from a generating station to a final destination. This method of distributing electricity can be extremely convenient and efficient, allowing a business to meet customer needs as cost-effectively as possible. Utilities are responsible for installation and maintenance on overhead power lines, including service drops to customers. Before carrying out any work on the user’s lines, it is advisable to call to verify any safety precautions and, if necessary, to cut off the power supply.
Overhead power lines consist of conductive cables wound around steel cores. The metal can be treated to help it resist corrosion, but it is often left uninsulated, because insulating the lines would greatly increase their cost. In regions where there are concerns about touching lines, such as in heavily forested locations where it is difficult to keep trees clear, the wires may be slightly coiled, but are not fully insulated.
The overhead power line is suspended from a utility pole rated for the application, which in some cases can carry multiple power lines along with telephone wire and other telecommunication cables. At each power pole, insulators limit contact between live lines and the pole. In cases where insulation is applied, overhead power lines can be connected directly to a pole without insulators. The utility installs the wires high enough to avoid vehicles, homes, and so on.
Utilities generally recommend that customers stay at least 10 feet (about 3 meters) away from an overhead power line. These conductors carry very high voltage and can be extremely dangerous, as electricity is constantly seeking the path of least resistance to earth. Something like a ladder, tent pole, or human body can be an excellent conductor, which can cause serious injury or death at certain voltages. If an overhead power line goes down, it should be avoided until the utility can confirm it’s shut down, and people should report fallen trees and other hazards around downed or imperiled overhead lines.
Constant inspection and maintenance are necessary to keep an overhead power line in good operating condition. Utility workers may need to periodically cut trees and other hazards and also check the condition of poles to determine when they may need to be replaced. Utility customers should report anything unusual they notice around an overhead power line, including abnormal popping or buzzing, flames, and so on.
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