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What is on a Utility pole?
Electrical wires are at the top portion of the pole. There may be several electrical wires on
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one pole. The highest voltage wires are at the very top.
Towards the top of the pole, an electrical transmission wire is visible as it travels down the pole to the Service Drop. At the Service Drop a separate electrical wire leaves the
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pole and goes to houses.
The lowest wires on the pole are the Cable, Internet and Landline telephone wires. These
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wires do not have an electrical charge. They are thicker than electrical wires.
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Power poles and power lines can be brought down by storms, earthquakes, trees,
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mechanical failures, pole damage, old age and vehicles. When that happens:
An electrical wire can fall on a conductive material and cause it to become energized. (Touch Potential) That material can then energize other materials. All of
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which can become deadly.
Conductive Materials are:
• Metal
• Water
• Human Body
• Smoke
• Wood, Rope
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Items that may become energized:
• Other Utility Lines on a pole
• Vehicles
• Fences
• Ladders
• Trees
• People
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• The Ground
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• Wires do not have to be arcing or sparking to be energized.
• Always treat any downed line as energized.
• Don’t touch anything that may have become energized.
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Therefore: Stay a Minimum Distance of 100 feet from downed lines/energized materials. How far is 100 feet? Hillsborough streets are an average of 50 feet across, so
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stay back the width of 2 streets.
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What if: You somehow become closer than 100 feet? You need to understand:
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Step Potential
Step Potential is created when current from a downed line makes direct contact with the ground. This energizes the ground and the surrounding area. Electricity wants to travel from a higher voltage to a lower voltage in an effort to dissipate into the ground. A person’s body makes for a better step potential than the ground itself, thus electrocuting the person. Which means you can be harmed/electrocuted just being close to a downed
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wire and not even touch it.
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If near a downed line, avoid step potential by:
• Keeping ankles together and hopping away from the hazard
OR
• Keep feet together and shuffle away (heels don’t pass toes)
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Approaching and Securing a Dangerous Site
• Assess the hazard, look for wire ends, leaning poles, and sagging lines
• Examine your surroundings for conductive materials
• Treat all utility lines as high voltage (power, cable, phone, etc.)
• Observe minimum safe distances
• If no reason to approach, stay far away and adopt defensive or non-intervention approach
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Parking Vehicles
• Park on opposite side of street from poles a minimum of one full span (two poles) away from broken, downed or sagging lines
• Don’t park over vaults, manholes, or any subsurface enclosures
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Safety at the Scene
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DO
• Ensure Your Personal Safety First
• Follow the communications protocols for your CERT group
• Notify PG&E right away if there is an electrical problem
• Treat all utility lines as energized
• Avoid lines on the ground, in trees or on vehicles
• Keep the public away from downed lines
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DON’T
• Don’t assume PG&E has already been notified
• Don’t touch anything, even with gloves, sticks or tools
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Two Scenarios:
1. Major earthquake and you are at home: Before leaving the house, look out the window and check to see if the electrical wire that connects to your house is still connected. If it
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has disconnected, observe where it has landed.
If the electrical wire fell onto the ground, plan an escape route that takes you far away
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from the downed wire.
2. While driving you see wires down across or next to the street. STOP, stay in the vehicle, turn around, drive the minimum distance away as described above and then report the downed wires to 911. Prevent others from approaching the area until an ER crew arrives.
Do now:
Walk your neighborhood looking up. Where are the utility poles? Are there any high voltage lines? Which way is it logical the poles may fall? If a pole falls, which routes will be blocked to traffic and walking? Devise alternative ways to and from your home and
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clarify with your family.
Consider: Adding binoculars to your ER backpack and a STRONG flashlight to help locate black wires during the night.
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