Power Lines and Backyard Circle

Stuka Stunt Main Forum · 5 of 5 known posts recovered

Larry F · Oct 13, 2001 07:37 AM

Gang --

Thanks for all the good advice in the previous post about grass circles! Power lines are the big snag, and I am gathering info for my attorney to fight the power company. If any of you have experience in utility right-of-way issues, please respond. The power company has no easement, and my deed agrees. However, they are claiming "grandfather" rights as the lines have been here over twenty years. These are not lines that feed my house, but other houses further down the line. The lines bisect my backyard and are nearly direcly overhead of the center of the circle.

Assuming I win the battle over the main lines, I have the additional problem that the line to the house is at its nearest point 85 feet from the center of the circle. Should I be scared of that line also? What is a safe distance from center of circle to power lines?

Larry F

Cary · Oct 13, 2001 08:40 AM

#1 source

Larry:

Good luck with the old lines being moved! As for your service drop I can check with one of the engineers to be sure but you are fine with the 25 feet or so of clearance. If I recall correctly our safey manual dictates a 15 foot safey zone for 69,000 V. You have, most likley, 220 comming to your house so pleanty of room to spare.

Cary

Scott Riese · Oct 13, 2001 09:48 AM

#2 source

Larry...Having worked for the power and gas co here in Portland You are ABLE to move any Power or gas lines to an underground position. However YOU will have to pay for it. Cost $120 per foot if they do it. OR you can hire a sub contractor to put in underground pvc so the Power co can run there lines. Both ways OUCH!!!. Our rule of thumb 4,000 volts can jump 10 feet with no problem. Check with your Power co what the KVW is in your overheads. If there just feeder lines there most likly 220v. Still 50 foot buffer is the AMA rule. Good luck

Larry F · Oct 13, 2001 12:32 PM

#3 source

Scott --

Thanks! I thought there was an AMA clearance number, and I was too lazy too look it up.

Larry F

Bigiron13 · Oct 13, 2001 06:17 PM

#4 source

LAST EDITED ON Oct-13-01 AT 06:24 PM (CDT)

LAST EDITED ON Oct-13-01 AT 06:22 PM (CDT)

LAST EDITED ON Oct-13-01 AT 06:21 PM (CDT)

Be careful!!!! While 15 t0 20 feet is far enough to keep 200 or even 440 volts from jumping to your plane, there is a strong magnetic field surrounding the power lines going into your home. When your plane and lines come around and pass somewhat parallel to the power lines, there will be an induced electrical current imparted into your lines that will shock you with considerable force. The mechanism is somewhat similar to a transformer. most of us that have been bitten that way call it static electricity. It really isn't, but the jolt is similar.
It can get strong enough to put you on your knees, but I doubt that it could get strong enough nor with enough amperage to kill you. BUT, as I said at the start, BE CAREFUL
Bigiron
PS--- I forgot something--- The more current ( Ampres) that you are using in the house, the greater the magnetic field around the wire to your house will be. i.e. The more appliances that are running the worse you could get shocked.
Big BE CAREFUL

Bigiron13