low wires

fedexfrank

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Hello to all. Just wondering if anyone knows the laws as far as power lines are concerned. What is the height requirement and who would be at fault if one is taken down by a truck driver on a public street?
 
In PA the law is 14 ft on public right of ways, if you're on private property there obviously are no laws. The residents don't know that for the most part and will chase you down the street wanting your insurance information when you rip out their cable. Power companies have never been a problem with me but old phone lines and cable are yuuuuuuge violators. BTW, if your truck has a wind deflector on it and you can hit 15 MPH it will kick those lines up over the trailer.
 
Hello to all. Just wondering if anyone knows the laws as far as power lines are concerned. What is the height requirement and who would be at fault if one is taken down by a truck driver on a public street?
as a "general rule", they are "supposed to be", 14'0"

however, when i was younger, i drove city residential garbage trucks. we had a massive hurricane here.

the tree branches were resting on the wires

need i tell you i took done peoples phone and electrical lines.>??

(there was also no electricity in the area for about a week...)

be minded too, city home garbage routes are done after midnight, till a bit after sunrise..

no way for anyone one to see the low wires....

i was never charged with anything.

in fact, many of my co-workers took down many lines that week......!!

however, if YOU drive a city street, clearly marked...NO TRUCKS, that is an indication those wires ARE NOT 14'0" off the ground, and IT WILL BE AN ACCIDENT all day long on you....
 
The height requirement for power lines that hang above a public street is dependent on the voltage of those lines. If the voltage of a power line is 150 volts or lower, a minimum of 12 feet clearance is required. For 300-600 volts, a minimum of 15 feet clearance is required. If the voltage is at 600, then a minimum of 18 feet is required. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask! – The Speedco Team
 
In PA the law is 14 ft on public right of ways, if you're on private property there obviously are no laws. The residents don't know that for the most part and will chase you down the street wanting your insurance information when you rip out their cable. Power companies have never been a problem with me but old phone lines and cable are yuuuuuuge violators. BTW, if your truck has a wind deflector on it and you can hit 15 MPH it will kick those lines up over the trailer.

And if you don't have one, that cable will come whipping around and take your mirror, mounts, and quite possibly your arm off, should you have it hanging out the window.
 
Thank you all for the answers. There were no markings or warning of low wires. It was on a small street, but city street nonetheless. Turns out some roadwork was done recently and one of the power poles had sunk into the ground. One of the businesses on the block had been in contact with the power company to warn them that the lines were lower than b4. They came out and inspected but nothing was done. The officer that came out said no citation would be issued but I'm still worried because the place I work at always finds a way to blame the driver
 
In PA the law is 14 ft on public right of ways, if you're on private property there obviously are no laws. The residents don't know that for the most part and will chase you down the street wanting your insurance information when you rip out their cable. Power companies have never been a problem with me but old phone lines and cable are yuuuuuuge violators. BTW, if your truck has a wind deflector on it and you can hit 15 MPH it will kick those lines up over the trailer.
I wouldn't bet the outhouse on this!
 
Minimum line height is regulated by the individual state and will vary from state to state. Here's a tidbit about PA. If you search 'utility line height' for your state you will find what you need to know about your state.


Hello Bill

Thank-you for your question.

The Pennsylvania Code says 18 feet is the minimum clearance for
utility wires over a public right of way.

"Location of wires, cables or conductors. A wire, cable or conductor
which overhangs a portion of the right-of-way shall be placed to
provide a minimum vertical clearance of 18 feet over the pavement and
shoulder, except where the National Electrical Safety Code requires
vertical clearances in excess of 18 feet due to voltage or span
lengths."
 
Yes I have. Didn't work. Tore off the same tv cable at Jifffy Lube, West Lafayette, Indiana 3 months in a row when I worked at Preston.
Thanks for the report jimmy g, it always worked for me with the wind deflectors on the ABF trucks.
 
I am wondering why someone has not made a video on the proper technique of bouncing a wire over the nose of the trailer? Searched You tube, but could not locate one....bet if you could make one, you could sell it nationwide at Love's Truck Stops!!! Make a ton of money too...
 
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