Fence over underground wiring
 

I would like to put a fence up at the back of my yard, but it
would need to go in over existing underground high voltage wires. Not
the usual 220V but the main underground lines to the local
transformers.

I have had the crew out to mark the line locations, but they
are unable to tell me how deep they are. I would guess they know
where they should be, but because of various problems, they may not be
as deep as the should.

Any suggestions?

I am thinking of several possible fence types, generally
decorative but also I am interested in keeping the neighborhood kids
out of my yard and since I am on the local foot path, eliminate the
foot traffic of kids taking a short cut.

Fence over underground wiring
 

Fence over underground wiring
 

Fence over underground wiring
 

Fence over underground wiring
 

On 17 May 2009 00:50:50 GMT, Han wrote:

wrote in
:

I would like to put a fence up at the back of my yard, but it
would need to go in over existing underground high voltage wires. Not
the usual 220V but the main underground lines to the local
transformers.

I have had the crew out to mark the line locations, but they
are unable to tell me how deep they are. I would guess they know
where they should be, but because of various problems, they may not be
as deep as the should.

Any suggestions?

I am thinking of several possible fence types, generally
decorative but also I am interested in keeping the neighborhood kids
out of my yard and since I am on the local foot path, eliminate the
foot traffic of kids taking a short cut.


Prickly bushes rather than a fence? Sign saying watch for poison ivy?

A sign is no good. They probably can't read. Plant actual poison
ivyh.

Fence over underground wiring
 

On May 17, 12:45*am, aemeijers wrote:
wrote:
* *I would like to put a fence up at the back of my yard, but it
would need to go in over existing underground high voltage wires. *Not
the usual 220V but the main underground lines to the local
transformers. *

* *I have had the crew out to mark the line locations, but they
are unable to tell me how deep they are. *I would guess they know
where they should be, but because of various problems, they may not be
as deep as the should.

* *Any suggestions?

* * * * *I am thinking of several possible fence types, generally
decorative but also I am interested in keeping the neighborhood kids
out of my yard and since I am on the local foot path, eliminate the
foot traffic of kids taking a short cut.

1. If you have not already done so, check your easement. The actual long
version, spelled out or included by reference in your bill of sale or
deed. Don't rely on what neighbors or guy on power company truck said.
They can get rather specific on allowed and disallowed structures, and
on allowed plantings. Easement also sometimes addresses access rights,
especially if the right-of-way is across the back edge of a lot buried
in the middle of a block. (which your footpath comment implies.) They
may have the right to drive a baby backhoe or ditching machine up your
driveway and through your back yard, especially if one of those green
cubes is sitting there.

2. *Did the locator service folks also mark your corner pegs for you?
Make sure you know where the exact corners of your lot are, to avoid
future neighbor and setback disputes. I grew up in a subdivision like
that, footpaths and all, and the kids took offense (like any roaming
herd animals would) at barriers put in their way. I also grew up in
construction, and know that corner pegs often get lost, especially where
there aren't those big brown smelly poles to act as permanent monuments.
(and they were not always on the exact property line either.)

3. And on a pragmatic basis, make sure YOU can get to the part of yard
between fence and lot line. Remember, you have to mow back there, pick
up blown trash, etc.

4. Can't see your lot, so hard to recommend a suitable barrier. Need to
look at it from kid point of view- it just needs to look like a barrier
from the approaches to the foot path. Something that interrupts the line
of sight between the houses may be enough. Kids usually won't stray too
far from the lot lines, lest they get trapped in a back yard with a dog
or something. If they can't see from curb to curb, they will usually
walk elsewhere. A shallow-rooted hedge, alternating rows of dwarf pines,
or even vines on a light wooden trellis, may be all that you need, and
still be cheap and easy to replace if power company has to tear it up. I
would avoid a metal fence on metal poles- some say it is urban myth, but
many have reported induced current problems with putting those parallel
with power lines.

--
aem sends...


The devil is in the details. What exactly does "but it would need to
go in over existing underground high voltage wires" mean? If the
fence would just cross the wires, meaning it's mostly perpendicular to
them, then if the lines are marked, you should be able to plan the
posts accordingly to avoid them. On the other hand, if it runs
parallel to and on top of them, well that's a whole different story.

I agree with the above advice that is is critical to check in writing
for what easement the power company has. That may rule out placing
anything permanent, like a fence, over the entire easement area. And
whatever easement they have, I would not want to be in violation of it
if anything should go wrong. If you happen to hit something that's
not where it's marked, but you're in the right, that's bad enough.
Of course, if it's high voltage, maybe it won't matter.

Fence over underground wiring
 

On May 16, 7:43*pm, wrote:
* * * * I would like to put a fence up at the back of my yard, but it
would need to go in over existing underground high voltage wires. *Not
the usual 220V but the main underground lines to the local
transformers. *

* * * * I have had the crew out to mark the line locations, but they
are unable to tell me how deep they are. *I would guess they know
where they should be, but because of various problems, they may not be
as deep as the should.

* * * * Any suggestions?

* * * * *I am thinking of several possible fence types, generally
decorative but also I am interested in keeping the neighborhood kids
out of my yard and since I am on the local foot path, eliminate the
foot traffic of kids taking a short cut.

If you put up a wood fence, build a 8' section on the ground, then
fasten it to the posts with screws. That way anyone needing access to
the other side of the fence can just remove the screws, do their
thing, and refasten the section without tearing the fence up.

Red

Fence over underground wiring
 

On May 16, 8:43*pm, wrote:
* * * * I would like to put a fence up at the back of my yard, but it
would need to go in over existing underground high voltage wires. *Not
the usual 220V but the main underground lines to the local
transformers. *

* * * * I have had the crew out to mark the line locations, but they
are unable to tell me how deep they are. *I would guess they know
where they should be, but because of various problems, they may not be
as deep as the should.

* * * * Any suggestions?

* * * * *I am thinking of several possible fence types, generally
decorative but also I am interested in keeping the neighborhood kids
out of my yard and since I am on the local foot path, eliminate the
foot traffic of kids taking a short cut.

The separation required by your states version of the public utilities
commission is what you have to comply with. I have never seen a case
were any permanent structure was permitted directly above the lines.
High voltage lines are usually buried in the public portion of the
road easement anyway and you cannot lawfully build there. You may
need to spend the money for a survey if you don't actually know were
your lot line is. I really doubt that the utility has buried anything
right on your property line.

--
Tom Horne

Fence over underground wiring
 

On Sat, 16 May 2009 20:43:38 -0400, against all advice, something
compelled , to say:

I am thinking of several possible fence types, generally
decorative but also I am interested in keeping the neighborhood kids
out of my yard and since I am on the local foot path, eliminate the
foot traffic of kids taking a short cut.


I had that problem. I planted roses, and then when the stalks(?)
got long enough, I tip layered them.

http://en.mimi.hu/gardening/tip_layer.html


This gave me loops of roses, like a hula-hoop buried in the
ground. It's attractive, impenetrable, and won't hurt your
wires.
--

Real men don't text.

Fence over underground wiring
 

On 17 May 2009 00:50:50 GMT, Han wrote:



Prickly bushes rather than a fence? Sign saying watch for poison ivy?

That was my first choice, but the small bushes I planted were
not up to keeping the kids out, they needed to be a lot larger, the
kids are determined. At least the dog is trained. :-)

Fence over underground wiring
 

On Sun, 17 May 2009 01:31:01 -0400, mm
wrote:

On 17 May 2009 00:50:50 GMT, Han wrote:

wrote in
m:

I would like to put a fence up at the back of my yard, but it
would need to go in over existing underground high voltage wires. Not
the usual 220V but the main underground lines to the local
transformers.

I have had the crew out to mark the line locations, but they
are unable to tell me how deep they are. I would guess they know
where they should be, but because of various problems, they may not be
as deep as the should.

Any suggestions?

I am thinking of several possible fence types, generally
decorative but also I am interested in keeping the neighborhood kids
out of my yard and since I am on the local foot path, eliminate the
foot traffic of kids taking a short cut.


Prickly bushes rather than a fence? Sign saying watch for poison ivy?

A sign is no good. They probably can't read. Plant actual poison
ivyh.


You are right, most of them can't read and the others don't
care.

Fence over underground wiring
 

On Sun, 17 May 2009 04:45:34 GMT, aemeijers wrote:

....

1. If you have not already done so, check your easement. The actual long
version, spelled out or included by reference in your bill of sale or
deed. Don't rely on what neighbors or guy on power company truck said.
They can get rather specific on allowed and disallowed structures, and
on allowed plantings. Easement also sometimes addresses access rights,
especially if the right-of-way is across the back edge of a lot buried
in the middle of a block. (which your footpath comment implies.) They
may have the right to drive a baby backhoe or ditching machine up your
driveway and through your back yard, especially if one of those green
cubes is sitting there.

Yes I have the details on what is allowed and not, in fact I
am on the local board that reviews issues.


2. Did the locator service folks also mark your corner pegs for you?
Make sure you know where the exact corners of your lot are, to avoid
future neighbor and setback disputes.

I located the pegs myself as they were building the home and I
plotted them from know, non-moving points so I could find them again.
That has come in handy more than once.

...

4. Can't see your lot, so hard to recommend a suitable barrier. Need to
look at it from kid point of view- it just needs to look like a barrier
from the approaches to the foot path. Something that interrupts the line
of sight between the houses may be enough. Kids usually won't stray too
far from the lot lines, lest they get trapped in a back yard with a dog
or something. If they can't see from curb to curb, they will usually
walk elsewhere. A shallow-rooted hedge, alternating rows of dwarf pines,
or even vines on a light wooden trellis, may be all that you need, and
still be cheap and easy to replace if power company has to tear it up. I
would avoid a metal fence on metal poles- some say it is urban myth, but
many have reported induced current problems with putting those parallel
with power lines.

That is more good advice. However it will not work in my
specific situation.

Thanks

Fence over underground wiring
 

On Sun, 17 May 2009 04:55:40 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

...

The devil is in the details. What exactly does "but it would need to
go in over existing underground high voltage wires" mean? If the
fence would just cross the wires, meaning it's mostly perpendicular to
them, then if the lines are marked, you should be able to plan the
posts accordingly to avoid them. On the other hand, if it runs
parallel to and on top of them, well that's a whole different story.

Of course it is almost parallel, and to make it worse it is
3-4 foot wide.


I agree with the above advice that is is critical to check in writing
for what easement the power company has. That may rule out placing
anything permanent, like a fence, over the entire easement area. And
whatever easement they have, I would not want to be in violation of it
if anything should go wrong. If you happen to hit something that's
not where it's marked, but you're in the right, that's bad enough.
Of course, if it's high voltage, maybe it won't matter.

Yea, I have the easement information. Basically I can do what
I want, as long as I don't block their access and they have the right
to tear up anything I put on their easement. So far we have lived
with mutual respect on those matters. However you never know if a new
supervisor shows up.

Fence over underground wiring
 

On Sun, 17 May 2009 15:17:23 -0500, wrote:

On Sat, 16 May 2009 20:43:38 -0400, wrote:

I would like to put a fence up at the back of my yard, but it
would need to go in over existing underground high voltage wires. Not
the usual 220V but the main underground lines to the local
transformers.

I have had the crew out to mark the line locations, but they
are unable to tell me how deep they are. I would guess they know
where they should be, but because of various problems, they may not be
as deep as the should.

Any suggestions?

I am thinking of several possible fence types, generally
decorative but also I am interested in keeping the neighborhood kids
out of my yard and since I am on the local foot path, eliminate the
foot traffic of kids taking a short cut.

Just run a laser beam across the place you want the fence, with a
sensor on the other end. When someone breaks the laser beam, a
machine gun starts firing and kills the intruder. This will save the
cost and labor of a fence and will save the police a lot of work
trying to catch criminals who trespass on private property.

I like that one, but what happens if they are between me and
the gun? :-)

Fence over underground wiring
 

On May 17, 8:14*pm, wrote:
On Sun, 17 May 2009 04:55:40 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

..



The devil is in the details. * What exactly does "but it would need to
go in over existing underground high voltage wires" mean? * *If the
fence would just cross the wires, meaning it's mostly perpendicular to
them, then if the lines are marked, you should be able to plan the
posts accordingly to avoid them. * *On the other hand, if it runs
parallel to and on top of them, well that's a whole different story.

* * * * Of course it is almost parallel, and to make it worse it is
3-4 foot wide. *



I agree with the above advice that is is critical to check in writing
for what easement the power company has. * *That may rule out placing
anything permanent, like a fence, over the entire easement area. * And
whatever easement they have, I would not want to be in violation of it
if anything should go wrong. * If you happen to hit something that's
not where it's marked, but you're in the right, that's bad enough.
Of course, if it's high voltage, maybe it won't matter.

* * * * Yea, I have the easement information. *Basically I can do what
I want, as long as I don't block their access and they have the right
to tear up anything I put on their easement. *So far we have lived
with mutual respect on those matters. *However you never know if a new
supervisor shows up.

The fences in my neighborhood often run across the power lines, if
they didnt hardly anyone could have a fence. A couple of times in the
last 20 years the lines have had maintenance done on them they used a
ditch witch to dig under the fence from one side then go around to the
other side. There could have been some hand digging envoled too. Only
one time did they hit a fence and they just took a couple of boards
out. The owner did have to replace them.

Jimmie

Fence over underground wiring
 

wrote:
I would like to put a fence up at the back of my yard, but it
would need to go in over existing underground high voltage wires. Not
the usual 220V but the main underground lines to the local
transformers.

I have had the crew out to mark the line locations, but they
are unable to tell me how deep they are. I would guess they know
where they should be, but because of various problems, they may not be
as deep as the should.

Any suggestions?


I believe they have to be buried I think it's 5 feet deep, maybe six.
I forget. Of course it would be more near ground level the closer it
is to junction boxes, etc.

You can look at your power companies web site or call them and they
should be helpful in telling you how deep it is buried. After all,
they don't want their bottom line$$$ damaged.