Can't fix a simple exterior home job because of power line

[mozirry]

I'm so pissed. A piece of a soffit came loose and is exposing the corner. Needs to get repaired before the birds start nesting.

The problem just happens to be right next to where my service line connects to my house.

I just want to go up there and slap the thing back in but I'm too much of a wuss


How dangerous are these things?

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: mozirry
I'm so pissed. A piece of a soffit came loose and is exposing the corner. Needs to get repaired before the birds start nesting.

The problem just happens to be right next to where my service line connects to my house.

I just want to go up there and slap the thing back in but I'm too much of a wuss


How dangerous are these things?

I wouldn't touch it, but that's just me.

 

[drnickriviera]

wires are insulated for a reason

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Why not just call the power company and ask?

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: mozirry
How dangerous are these things?

Very. Wear oven mitts.

 

[JakwoW]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
wires are insulated for a reason

 

[mozirry]

they are closed at the moment, only open 8:00 to 5:00 m-f

 

[Greenman]

Hire a nice contractor to repair the sofit while you stay in the house where it's safe. Remember to smile when you pay him.

 

[BoomerD]

Stick your tongue on it. If you live, it's safe to work by.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
wires are insulated for a reason

Power mains aren't. No idea on the service lines, though.

 

[Jeff7]

Maybe if you didn't fart so damn much, it wouldn't have come loose in the first place.

 

[BoomerD]

The service drop to your house should be well insulated.

Of course, if it's old, that insulation may have severely degraded.

AND, obviously, where that drop ties to the wiring coming from your service panel, the connections SHOULD be "insulated" with electrical tape.

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
Maybe if you didn't fart so damn much, it wouldn't have come loose in the first place.

:laugh:

 

[Red Squirrel]

Should be safe. It's only 240 volts so if you DO get zapped, it's going to hurt, but not going to kill you or anything unless you like, grab it and stay stuck. Though it could surprise you and make you fall off the ladder. If you don't touch it at all you'll be fine, there's not enough voltage for it to arc, at least, I highly doubt it....

Also if you wear rubber boots even if you touch it you should be ok unless you touch two of the conductors. If it's degraded to the point where the conductors are easily visible I'd get the power company to come take a look though just to be extra safe.

 

[mozirry]

Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
Should be safe. It's only 240 volts so if you DO get zapped, it's going to hurt, but not going to kill you or anything unless you like, grab it and stay stuck. Though it could surprise you and make you fall off the ladder. If you don't touch it at all you'll be fine, there's not enough voltage for it to arc, at least, I highly doubt it....

Also if you wear rubber boots even if you touch it you should be ok unless you touch two of the conductors. If it's degraded to the point where the conductors are easily visible I'd get the power company to come take a look though just to be extra safe.

I may not even have to get on a ladder, it's on the corner right above the roof of our walkout basement

 

[Jeff7]

And of course don't let your hand touch a conductor and something grounded. I took a small jolt from a welding robot that had some part of it plugged into 120V. My hand lightly grazed the grounded case and I got a decent buzz.

 

[Red Squirrel]

120v hand to hand is quite shocking, and it gives your heart that extra boost.

 

[DrPizza]

If you post a picture of what you're dealing with, we might be able to give you a much more accurate answer.

 

[grohl]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
If you post a picture of what you're dealing with, we might be able to give you a much more accurate answer.

 

[misle]

Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
Should be safe. It's only 240 volts so if you DO get zapped, it's going to hurt, but not going to kill you or anything unless you like, grab it and stay stuck. Though it could surprise you and make you fall off the ladder. If you don't touch it at all you'll be fine, there's not enough voltage for it to arc, at least, I highly doubt it....

Also if you wear rubber boots even if you touch it you should be ok unless you touch two of the conductors. If it's degraded to the point where the conductors are easily visible I'd get the power company to come take a look though just to be extra safe.

Do not listen to this guy. 240VAC can kill you. And don't expect the existing insulation to protect you.

Call your local power company tomorrow and they will offer you some assistance. They may put rubber insulation around the secondary or they may disconnect it for you.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: misle

Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
Should be safe. It's only 240 volts so if you DO get zapped, it's going to hurt, but not going to kill you or anything unless you like, grab it and stay stuck. Though it could surprise you and make you fall off the ladder. If you don't touch it at all you'll be fine, there's not enough voltage for it to arc, at least, I highly doubt it....

Also if you wear rubber boots even if you touch it you should be ok unless you touch two of the conductors. If it's degraded to the point where the conductors are easily visible I'd get the power company to come take a look though just to be extra safe.

Do not listen to this guy. 240VAC can kill you. And don't expect the existing insulation to protect you.

Call your local power company tomorrow and they will offer you some assistance. They may put rubber insulation around the secondary or they may disconnect it for you.

QFT...without seeing your setup we have no idea.

In general though, insulated or not; your mains are something you don't want to touch...there are tons of points for failure and voltage and amps at this level can easily kill you even if you just get it for a split second. Being it's your soffit...the wiring should be above you by quite a bit I'd think. Again without seeing it we have no idea.