Many times I hear co-op members ask questions like "How much voltage is in the wires?" or, "Aren't the wires insulated for our safety?" and finally, "There are only 120 volts up on the telephone pole, so what's to worry about?" There are many similar misconceptions I would like to clarify for you.

First, not all poles are telephone poles. In reality, relatively few poles in rural areas continue to have telephone cables on them, but in an urban area it is possible. Your cooperative installs poles made from various materials such as wood, concrete, steel, aluminum, and fiberglass.

Any other utility such as a telephone, cable TV, or other power company may or may not be allowed to attach their wires or cables to these poles. If they are allowed to do so, the other utility usually has a rental agreement for the space used on the pole. Sometimes, cooperative members' wires and equipment are allowed to be on these poles. Check with your local cooperative's engineering or operations department.

It is crucial that your local cooperative controls what is attached to their poles. The lines are built to exact specifications set forth by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), and also must meet clearances set forth in the National Electric Safety Code (NESC). All wiring on the consumer side of the meter must conform to rules and regulations in the National Electric Code (NEC). Keep in mind that your state, county, or local governing agency may have more stringent procedures to follow.

These regulations are the main reason utility companies do not want any type of foreign attachments fastened to their poles. This includes any type of antennas, satellite dishes, flagpoles, birdhouses, basketball goals, mailboxes, signs, or holiday decorations, etc. Poles could break off or fall over, energized wires could fall down, or someone could make accidental contact or fall off of the pole. Your safety is the first concern. Any of these items could also pose a serious hazard to a line worker trying to climb a pole.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a basic rule of thumb that says anyone who is not a qualified employee is not allowed to come within 10 feet of the 7,200-volt wires (measured phase to ground) that are on most of the poles on your cooperative's distribution system. There may be higher voltages, 12,470 volts (measured phase to phase) if it is a two-or three-phase line - usually denoted by cross arms and multiple wires on a pole. If the poles have multiple circuits on them, it is possible there could be 69,000 volts or much higher.

So you can see that these voltages are nothing to take for granted. These wires are usually not insulated and even when they are, special precautions must be taken.

Line workers are highly trained. They use specially designed and tested dielectric tools and appropriately rated and tested personal protective equipment.

This fall, if you are trimming or cutting trees, cleaning gutters, painting the house or outbuildings, installing antennas or satellite dishes, or any of the numerous tasks that may need to be done around your property, please do the following: Make sure you look up to see if there are any overhead lines in the area you are going to be working in and around.

If there are lines, please call your cooperative or other utility two or three days ahead of the time you plan to work to see if they can be covered up, dropped out of the way, or de-energized and grounded. Even if these are only the 120/240-volt wires you are working near, it is important to remember that simply looking up could keep you from being seriously injured or killed. Have a safe fall season!

Roger Larkin, Manager of Safety for the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives.

14 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop