Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists

Been asked to take down a Macrocarpa and remove some Ash limbs which overhang some insulated LV cables which go to the gable end of the clients property.

The Ash is particularly tricky as I would have to branch-walk above the cables and section and chuck the brushwood past/over/around them.

Having never done any utility arb stuff I'm after some advice on how close I can work to this type of cable, can I hand hold brushwood and have it touch the cables etc.

Would walk away if it's too risky but 90% is straightforward enough. Don't want to have a disaster with the other 10% though.

Dropping the cables is not an option because by the time EDF did that I would be 103 years old if their response is anything like last time.

Thanks in advance.

I nearly had a nervous breakdown trying to get a shutdown or even someone to come out and look

Me personally, I would go ahead and do it if it's shielded after the fiasco of trying to do it right last time, many older houses have sheilded LV wires running round the outside of the house anyway.

Just dont take them out

Dont do it, your insurance wont cover you.

Never assume they are insulted. The covring could be worn and will not stop the wires breaking if something goes wrong.

Shut down should be no problem and free. Just call electricity supplier main swith board and request one. Tell them your work is over and above the min 2m clearence and they should give you a refernce over the phone.

If the job isnt worth that much or you dont need the work I would give it a miss tbh.

You probably will die of old age waiting for the power company to sort it as Dean knows well

If things go wrong you will be in very serious trouble either financially wise or health wise.
Used to work on Lv all the time and dont think we ever bothered with a shut down on armoured cable but it still is 450 V ish and the armour isnt 100% reliable.

My opinion is that you dont know enough about it so I would leave it mate.

I'm glad you put "should" in there Gibbon

I wouldn't give them the time of day, if I ever get another job needing a shut down I will leave it to the customer to sort or walk away. It's a nightmare.

The last one took me nearly six months, hundreds of phone calls, two letters and three cancelled shutdown dates

It must have cost me more than the job was worth in time sorting it.

I,ve pulled out of my Four Pops job today because they never had the power turned off on that cable that some people thought was a phone line. I,ve taken a cheque for the work so far and told them to phone me with a date for the shutdown. It,s not worth the risk Mark.

If in doubt, leave it out! EDF have always sorted shutdowns quickly for me, no hassles with being let down or messed about. LV cables pack one hell of a punch, insulation is to protect the cables, not you. I've seen a polesaw accidentally touch the wires and blown to bits, and they were "insulated" so that was enough warning to me!

I worked on three ash trees today, growing around and above un insulated LV lines.
We requested a shut off which we had. Western Power sorted it, we waited about two months I think. They used the opportunity to do some clearance work of their own.
The Western Power man was very helpful, and was pleased that he could get the power back on by one o'clock.

Totally agree. Also if you were to blow the line then a huge bill coming your way!!!
Best response to get a shutdown is phone the vegetation dept of edf and tell them kids are climbing the tree near their lines. They s**t themselves when kids are in the equation.

Best to leave it to the utility guys who have the tools, tickets and insurance for it.