Moving the drop higher on mast

[Babbobubba]

A tree limb has grown in diameter and is rubbing against the line that comes in from the pole. As you can see in the photo I could move the clamp on my mast higher. This would free the line from contact with the tree. Is there any reason I shouldn't do this? (The limb in question is 20 feet from the house and not shown in the photo.)

 

[Megawatt]

Hell let’s just relocate the tree ?

 

[telectrix]

Hell let’s just relocate the tree ?

can the tree get a government relocation grant?

 

[Babbobubba]

I do not want to remove the limb. Am I right to worry that the insulation on the line will be damaged by movement due to wind?

 

[Babbobubba]

Actually, moving the mast clamp might be a longterm solution. A 2" gap between wire and large limb would get me a twenty-year reprieve and by then it will be someone else's problem.

 

[DPG]

Actually, moving the mast clamp might be a longterm solution. A 2" gap between wire and large limb would get me a twenty-year reprieve and by then it will be someone else's problem.

As above, get the power company to sort it.

 

[pc1966]

I do not want to remove the limb. Am I right to worry that the insulation on the line will be damaged by movement due to wind?

Yes, it will damage the cable and cause you problems if not fixed. Not just to the cables, it might start a fire with the tree if dry, etc.

But listen to @Megawatt 's advice and contact the supply company - he is one of the well-regarded USA members of this (predominantly UK) electrical forum so knows the rules applying to your situation better than any of us.

 

[telectrix]

I do not want to remove the limb. Am I right to worry that the insulation on the line will be damaged by movement due to wind?

why not? unlike us pathetic humans, trees benefit from amputations of the occasional limbs.

 

[Babbobubba]

Yes, trees can benefit from judicious pruning, but this is a main limb and to remove it would leave the tree misshapen.

 

[moose]

tHE IMAGE, i must be drunk the picture has two wires entering the camera this is a false image...

 

[DPG]

tHE IMAGE, i must be drunk the picture has two wires entering the camera this is a false image...

It's not a camera. It's a power company pole with what I assume is phase and neutral going down it.

 

[telectrix]

It's not a camera. It's a power company pole with what I assume is phase and neutral going down it.

but did you also notice the choc block connectors wrapped in tape? seems the UK bodgers don't have exclusive rights to this method.

 

[pc1966]

but did you also notice the choc block connectors wrapped in tape? seems the UK bodgers don't have exclusive rights to this method.

I suspect they are line taps under there, but it does some a bit of a bodge not having some custom enclosure for the cable joints.

 

[pc1966]

It's not a camera. It's a power company pole with what I assume is phase and neutral going down it.

@Megawatt will know, but I suspect it is two line and a CNE (so 120V - 0 - 120V TN-C-S with the C/S separation done in the consumer's CU, unlike UK where it is the DNO cut-out), and I guess a pair of Earth rods somewhere in the grounds of the property.

 

[Megawatt]

@Megawatt will know, but I suspect it is two line and a CNE (so 120V - 0 - 120V TN-C-S with the C/S separation done in the consumer's CU, unlike UK where it is the DNO cut-out), and I guess a pair of Earth rods somewhere in the grounds of the property.

@pc1966 you sound like you have worked over here before and yes we use 2 earth rods. I’m proud of you ??

 

[pc1966]

@pc1966 you sound like you have worked over here before and yes we use 2 earth rods. I’m proud of you ??

Nope, just listened to your sage advice!