I am going to need to replace a riser for a panel on a house that is too short (wires get pushed by snow on the roof). Do I need to cut those feeders hot and reconnect them hot? Will the power company disconnect/reconnect them for me? What is the best way to cut and reattach them hot if I need to? Have worked many things hot but never an overhead service drop, and only work things hot as a last resort.
you don't say where you are located, and the answers you seek vary from
one part of the country to the other.
you don't specify how the service lateral is attached to the house, and if it's attached
to the riser with a crossbar, you are going to need to support those feeders
while you replace the riser. obviously, you are ahead of the main breaker, so
your next line of defense is the poco's fuses, and those are sized for equipment
protection, not your protection.
your personal risk in the event of an arc fault occurrence is severe. it's not
going to be a sizzle, or a pop, or a bang... it's going to be a
boom.
there are numerous people on this forum that can give you accurate and
well intentioned information about means and methods to do this, but the fact
that you are asking total strangers how to accomplish this is in and of itself a
cause for concern.... this is not the time to jump in and learn as you go.
get a permit, make sure you know what the inspector who will have to sign
off on your job wants to see so you don't have a delay, down the service,
make the repairs, have the inspector inspect, and have the service re lit.
it can be done in a single day, but you are going to have to coordinate it
very well to accomplish that.
yes, it's inconvenient, but not nearly as inconvenient as being killed or maimed.
good luck, and stay safe....
