Re: Underground power lines
I don't think you need to worry at all about driving over the lines. But contact your utility if concerned.
Also, you can call "Digger Hotline" at anytime and have the lines marked by them. Probably a good idea, and then you can take a picture of it and know pretty well where the lines are. [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
Re: Underground power lines
hi, if they were buried properly in the first place you should be alright , when they are put in , at least where im at they have to be two feet deep, sand in the bottom an some more on top an then sometimes a plank on top of the sand then inspected an back filled its also a good idea to throw some red tape or something in along the ditch then if someone is ever digging there again and sees the tape they will know to be careful, it should be fine anyway it should be compacted enough by now and i don,t think anything would punture the cable anyway it,s probably armor coated (teck i think its called)i don,t think you have to worry , hope this helps
Re: Underground power lines
You need to call the power company or "digger hotline" before doing any digging in the area. Don't rely on your metal detector. Its a free service and if you don't use it you could get hurt and also open yourself up to liability if you hit a line. Even if you're not going to dig, just for your own peace of mind and in planning for future projects, you should have them come out and mark the line.
Re: Underground power lines
Having gone through one of these lines and luckily lived to tell about it you definitely need to have them out to mark the lines. In my case they marked them wrong!! Luckily for me as the bill for that the guy said would have been around $20,000. As far as driving over it I don't think you could hurt one of those wires if you drove over the wire itself everyday. They are very tough although they dont' hold up to a trencher very well. [img]/forums/images/icons/blush.gif[/img]
Re: Underground power lines
I know from first hand experience if you hit a 200 amp line with a shovel that it will bite the end of your shovel off and make you fill your pants!!!!!!! [img]/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]
Re: Underground power lines
i have seen a cat hit a buried cable and it blew a chunk out of the blade, so its certainly dangerous
Re: Underground power lines
Thanks for all the advice! I'm not one to take chances with power lines, but I was unaware of the Digger Hotline. I had thought about just calling the power company to have them advise me and I was pretty sure there was no way to hurt the cables by driving over them - just always better to ask!
We all know it, but I'll say again, it is a real blessing to be able to seek advice from so many people I only know through this computer!
Blessings to all this year,
Terry
Re: Underground power lines
An undeground power line is only a danger when you dig. An above ground is always in danger on being hit by anything high enough or due to high winds, ice, storms. I would prefer the wires come down at the edge of the property instead of through the middle of my land,.
Re: Underground power lines
Recently was sent to dig trench for underground power lines. Down 4 feet, put in 6" of sand and more sand on top of schedule 40 pipe ( I think it was 40). Backfilled within 10" of top and layed yellow construction tape, then finished. It's the first time required to use sand around schedule 40 and marking tape. Both, make perfect sense though.