Individual service conductors

[mathew stouffer]

Happy Holidays. I rarely see this in my area and I was curious if you comment on individual service conductors. I know these are old and typically are no longer used on residential in this area. The insulation was intact and I am guessing this is stranded, not solid, wire. Although it appears pressure from the tree has stretched the wire.

Thanks
Mat

[Jim Luttrall]

I would comment on that installation... "The electrical service is old and should be replaced; preferably before the tree knocks it down."

[Paul Kondzich]

Ummm, did you get on a snow covered roof, or is the picture from a window or something???

[Jerry Peck]

Although it appears pressure from the tree has stretched the wire.

That is the key to your addressing the overhead service drop ... I would write it up to have the power company come out and replace the overhead service with newer conductors and make sure the new overhead service conductors are not contacting the tree.

Yeah, it is likely that the power company will "cut the tree back" and leave the old overhead service, or even cut the tree back and replace with new, so warn your client that they may be losing that tree ... for safety reasons.

Some people don't mind losing trees, other people like to save all the trees, other people like to save the trees they can - but are willing to lose some trees for safety reasons.

[mathew stouffer]

Yes I did get on a snow covered roof and usually do unless I deem it unsafe to do so. I am still and young buck and have WC. Plus the roof was flat:) Thanks guys.

[Ted Menelly]

Yup. Wet hands and feet leaning against the tree with the wire insulation worn to the conductors. Someone may just get warmed up a little in a situation like that. I would call that a serious safety concern as well as needing a new service. Express it heavily.

[Matt Fellman]

It looks like the only thing holding the tree up is the service wires.... wow, that thing has a pretty substantial lean.