part of my roof I need to work on very close to the electric service line coming into my house. My neighbor says don't worry about it, but electric terrifies me..lol
do I have to worry about flash-over, how close is to close?
thank you everyone. I live in the city, and the service connection is to code, but it's connected in a way that if I hit the back of the roof I come seriously close to touching. If it won't flash me, I'll be ok..
Anonymous
Favorite Answer
Hi Ron,
I'm not trying to sound mean here, but the neighbor who said "Don't worry about it" is the kind of fool that gets Darwin Awards.
Call your power company and let then know you plan to be working/painting the house around your electric service. They will stop by and safely wrap it so you can proceed with your project. They do this for FREE, and when you're done, let them know and they'll take it away. Again FREE of charge.
My dad was an electrician, my uncle a lineman, and when these 2 guys painted their houses they had the wires wrapped. The home I'm working on now has the wrap per my request so the shake siding can safely be repaired. 'Nuff said??
When Bradley stated that being close to your roof was in violation of the NEC (National Electric Code), he was VERY incorrect. I don't know where he is located, but the common service entrance in North America is located just below the roof's overhang to prevent rain from entering past the weather-head.
anthony
When it come to Electric all ways treat with care. Safety first as you can not turn it off get the Electric company to make it safe to work on / around. If its coming from a Line Transformer and in reach when you are on the roof you could lift it up with some type of wooden frame, But this is not the correct way to do it. When the Electric company will make it safe for free.
As for how Dangerous = If you come into contact with exposed wire you will get one big jolt that can kill you. YOU have over 200amps coming into the house and it only takes .06 to stop your heart (30volts)
Bradley
Electricity is very dangerous. You should always proceed with care. what you do is take a visual inspection of the insulated conductors and be sure that the insulation isnt brittle or exposed at any point. If they look good then you should be ok. The completely exposed conductor (neutral) will not harm you as long as you dont try to break the circuit.
still....if its "close" to your roof,....then its in violation of the NEC anyhow. There are means of supporting it to be 26" or greater above the roof line. You should inquire about it with an electrician as water and electricity dont mix.
Jim W has the absolute right way to do it. I was unaware that the power company would wrap it for you as Im so used to having to handle them when doing new services BUT that is absolutely the smartest method. If for nothing else,....preparing for the worst will help you out far greater in the long run then just hoping for the best.
I would call the power company and have them insulate it for you. If its as low as it seems (due to the description),...they may recommend having an electrician install a means of support to lift it above the roof line.
Jim,...I was referring to over the roof line. I know that the service itself tends to swag near the roof line (just below the gutter but a wire going over the roof is to have clearance from the actual roof.
The whole reason for the drip loop is because of being located near water and it preventing retention of water.
Anyhow.......the point I think we both agree on. There is no point in trying to mess with electricity when there are means well within reach that avoid it.
I have been an electrician for a long time and I have learned that anytime I can take measures to improve the safety of my work area I do. I turn the power off as often as possible, regardless of my strong understanding of electricity.
Jim W
No flash over worry in a service entrance to a residence in the US. Just do not touch the wires, you can work within a couple of feet with no problems or danger unless the line insulation has frayed off. The grounded conductor is bare wire in some cases but the power leads are insulated. Just do not touch the cables and you should be OK. The voltage in most residence service in the US is 120 volts nominal to ground, the same as all of the convenience outlets in the house.
Willy r
it is good to be cautious, but the danger is minimal, as long as the coating is intact on the wires the bare wire is fine and not dangerous,don't be terrified, just be cautious. you could have the wire moved,but this will cost, if you move the service you'll need an electrician, so just be careful and do what needs doing.