Originally Posted By: JohnN
A couple of things. In an urban area with a lot of trees, you could become boxed in with downed lines.

In a serious region wide storm, I could imagine help could be several days away.

Second, there are induction testers for home voltages, I can't imagine it wouldn't be possible to detect without actually touching the line.

What are the procedures used by linemen? It seems to me the would double check lines before working on them -- and possible safety measures like grounding to earth.

What are the real working parameters for safety? Is there a possibility of arcing, or is avoiding direct contact adequite?

Are the lines insulated, or no?

-john


After witnessing a high voltage line on the ground, I can tell you for certain that you wouldn't want to be testing it with a home voltage tester. Much more juice than your home system.

When that line went down a couple of years ago on the road in front of my place it was frightening (loud pops and flames) as it kept arcing then it would die down and then arc again. They had two fire trucks down here and the firefighters were not about to get near it, they just sat with their emergency lights on and waited for the power company. When it wasn’t arcing one wouldn’t have been able to tell if it was live or not. Things like this are why we prepare to stay put in our homes or vehicles. I can't think of a scenario where I'd attempt to cross one.