On Thu, 18 Oct 2012 22:04:52 +0100, Michael Kilpatrick
wrote:

If the utility and distribution companies were doing their job, overhead
cables would be inspected every year or two. Clearly they are not.

They do check them, both by helicopter or by walking along the route of overhead
lines checking tree growth and using infra red cameras to detect bad joints.
Anything running at the final voltage delivered to the consumer (415v/240v) is
the lowest priority.

Think yourself lucky they did cut the supply, a high resistance phase to earth
fault from tree contact looks just like normal load to protection equipment at
the substation and so won't be detected. This can easily lead to electrocution
for those on the ground, usually large animals but occasionally humans.


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