Safely Changing Service Drop

[markstg]

On an overhead Service Drop to a Residence that is being changed, the EC changed the service drop, but did not have the Utility Company turn off power at the pole. He worked it hot with Hot Gloves and Insulated tools.

Is this standard operating proceedure for EC's?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Is this standard operating proceedure for EC's?

It tis for me but not with gloves.

 

[charlie]

Electric utility workers are not magic and can be hurt, the same as anyone else. IF the proper safety rules are followed, I don't see a problem since you are doing the same work that the electric utility worker does. The problem comes with knowing what the safety rules are for that work. Safety rules have been developed over years of electrical line work and extensive training is done to assure that the linemen know and follow those safety rules. In my opinion, unless the worker came from an electric utility lineman background, he should not be replacing a service drop and connecting it hot.

 

[markstg]

These are not Power Company Utility Lineman, and doubt if they worked for a utility company or its contractors. This is just your standard EC who does residential wiring.

 

[charlie]

My statement stands, "In my opinion, unless the worker came from an electric utility lineman background, he should not be replacing a service drop and connecting it hot."

 

[Cavie]

Sw Florida FPL. POCO disconnects power. EC changes service. Inspector checks. POCO hooks up new service. All in the same day.

 

[iaov]

Works the same way here Cavie.

 

[crazyboy]

Electrician does the connections here, POCO can redo them if they want but rarely do.

 

[yucan2]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My comments from another thread:

"No liability here in Chicago and surrounding burbs.

Its clearly stated in the local power companies Consumer/Contractor Electrical Service Informational Literature to make "temporary connection to existing service drop with approved fittings".

However connections must be made by a licensed electrician and experience has shown that those temporary connections oftentimes become permanent so do it right and tight

Obviously this only applies to an overhead service. We are not allowed to access underground utility feeders and or the power companies miniature vaults and/or transformers."

 

[SiddMartin]

Resi guys hook up all the OH serv changes here hot, with proper PPE.

 

[dreamsville]

Is this standard operating proceedure for EC's?

Here in Michigan EC's hook it up yourself hot using approved connectors per POCO. Done, finished, inspected. POCO never comes out.

Did use to get free meter cans from POCO until this year. Glad I stocked up.

I'm out in the country and they rarely even read my meter. They estimate then adjust when I phone in a reading every few months. They try to read an actual at least once a year.