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Replies

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  Colin Hunt May 18, 2011 at 8:20pm

  What about a quick call to the power company in the morning for some guidance.
• PRO

  Neal Barker @ Etesia uk May 18, 2011 at 8:26pm

  best and most sound advice colin

   

  in theory with how thin they are at the top a surge going trough would burn out the small stuff and would leave hardly a small zap for you but electricity can and will jump if being earthed so its always worth a call to be on the safe side
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  Michael Bates May 18, 2011 at 8:27pm

  Good plan, will do.
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  Graeme @ BGS May 18, 2011 at 8:28pm

  Have you checked your insurance? You may find that in the small print, damage to overhead cables are excluded (just in case of the worst).

   

  If the lines are over 5 ft from the cutting level I can't see too many issues as long as you are careful and don't raise the pole cutter / long arm up in the air :-)   I did this with a telephone line when trying to get the last little bit that was missed and ended up £125 down. However with Elect powerlines I wouldn't like to say what would happen if you cut one, may be fry a little? :-)
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  Michael Bates May 18, 2011 at 8:43pm

  Hmmm, I think colin is right and a call is in order, it's just I no how long it can take to get any kind of answers as i'm pretty sure on the phone they will just say under no circumstances should I carry out the work until someone has been to check. Like you say the lines will be 5ft above the cutting level and the tops aren't actually touching the lines. Anyway, will see what the power company say tomorrow.
• PRO

  Gary RK May 18, 2011 at 8:54pm

  I would be as worried about the ability of the current to 'jump' from the lines to any adjacent metal object (especially dependant on weather conditions) such as a pole pruner, long reach hedge cutter etc.

   

  Is there a stepdown tranformer station nearby ?

   

  Do you know what voltage/current the cable is carrying (it doesn't look like a power company configuration to me ...but could well be wrong...) ?
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  Adam Pilgrim May 18, 2011 at 9:26pm

  Intrestingly the elctric board have just spent weeks round here topping trees very similar to this, and indeed any tree that looked like it had potential to interfere with their lines, as part of a 'preventative maintenance programme'. So as Paul says - may be worth a call to the board.
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  Lawncare-4u.co.uk May 19, 2011 at 12:38am

  id be more worried about - falling from the trees or ladders ? how will you reach them ?
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  Mr Green Landscapes May 19, 2011 at 5:19am

  One call and Eon or which ever power company it is turn off the power for 2 hours free of charge its cheaper than them replacing the cables when they touch together and earth they melt quickly (I Know).

  You arent insured if the power is on either. Be careful mate.
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  Michael Bates May 19, 2011 at 4:54pm

  Thanks guys, once again your advice has been priceless. So, I spoke to the power company today and to cut a long story short i've managed to arrange a site visit by them either tomorrow or Monday (or so they say!). So, I will see what comes of that, but will let you all no what happens anyway. many thanks guys.