Otis Singleton
When it comes to your home's electrical system, it can be challenging to determine what you are responsible for maintaining and what your electrical company is responsible for. As a homeowner, you are typically responsible for maintaining and repairing most of the equipment on your property, including the wiring in and around your home, the weatherhead, and low-voltage lines going from the power line to your house. On the other hand, the electrical company is responsible for maintaining and repairing the electric meter, electric lines running between poles, and high-voltage lines and transformers on the utility pole. Understanding these distinctions is essential to ensure that any issues are addressed promptly and by the appropriate party.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weatherhead | The property owner is responsible for keeping it in good condition |
| Wiring in and around the home | The property owner is responsible |
| Meter base | The property owner is responsible for installation and keeping it in good condition |
| Electric meter, service line or transformer | The electrical company is responsible for inspection, repair, and maintenance |
| Low voltage lines | The homeowner is responsible |
| High voltage lines and the transformer on the utility pole | The electrical company is responsible |
| Trees on the property | The homeowner is responsible for maintaining and keeping them at a safe distance from power lines |
| Point of attachment | The customer is responsible for repairs |
| Service entrance cable/pipe | The customer is responsible for repairs |
| Service panel or fuse box | The customer is responsible for repairs |
| Attachment device | The customer is responsible for repairs |
| Connectors | The customer is responsible for repairs |
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What You'll Learn
- The wiring in and around your home is your responsibility
- The electric company maintains and repairs the meter and lines running between poles
- The customer must repair the service entrance cable before calling to restore power
- The electric company must be granted access to your property for inspection and repairs
- You must maintain trees on your property and keep them a safe distance from power lines
The wiring in and around your home is your responsibility
As a property owner, you are responsible for the wiring in and around your home. This includes the wires connecting the weatherhead to the meter and the lines leading from the meter. The weatherhead is the hood-shaped cap that sits atop a metal pipe connecting your home and electric service lines. It is your responsibility to keep it in good condition.
You are also responsible for the meter base, which is the enclosure that houses and protects the electric meter. This is typically found on the side or back of your house. Before electricity can be restored after a meter base installation or repair, most cities require an inspection by a hired electrician.
Additionally, any low voltage lines going from the power line to your house are your responsibility as the homeowner. This includes the service entrance cable or pipe, which carries the wire running along the outside of your building to the meter and from the meter to your service panel or fuse box.
It is important to note that if you live in an area with an electric company such as Oncor, they may have specific guidelines and requirements regarding access to your property for inspection, repair, and maintenance of electrical equipment.
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The electric company maintains and repairs the meter and lines running between poles
The electric company is responsible for maintaining and repairing the electric meter and the lines running between poles. The meter is the device that measures your energy use and is typically found on the side or back of your house. The lines running between poles are the high-voltage power lines that bring electricity to your home.
As a property owner, it is your responsibility to maintain and repair the wiring in and around your home, including the wires connecting the weatherhead to the meter and the lines leading from the meter. The weatherhead is the hood-shaped cap that sits atop a metal pipe connecting your home to the electric service lines. It is your responsibility to keep it in good condition.
If there are any issues with your electric meter or the lines running between poles, you should contact your electric company to send out a professional to inspect, repair, or maintain the equipment. They may need access to your property to troubleshoot and resolve any issues.
Additionally, it is important to note that as a homeowner, you are responsible for maintaining the trees on your property and ensuring they are kept at a safe distance from the power lines. If trimming is required, you can contact your energy provider for a temporary disconnection to ensure safety during the process.
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The customer must repair the service entrance cable before calling to restore power
In the event of wear or damage to the insulation on the service entrance cable, it is the customer's responsibility to repair the service entrance cable before calling the electrical company to restore power. This is because the electrical company is only responsible for maintaining and repairing the electric meter and the electric lines running between poles. The customer is responsible for the maintenance of most of the equipment on their property, including the weatherhead, insulator, riser, meter base, and service entrance conductor.
If there is minor cracking or wear in the service entrance cable insulation, it may be possible to simply repair the insulation. Some sources suggest using duct tape or repair tape to fix tears in the insulation, while others recommend sliding the cable through PVC conduit. However, if there are exposed live wires, it is recommended to replace the entire cable.
It is important to note that any repairs or replacements must be performed by a licensed electrician. The electrician will disconnect the power at the weatherhead, repair or replace the service entrance cable, and then make the necessary connections to restore power. The electrician must also pull a permit and notify the local wire inspector, who will then notify the power company.
In some cases, if the damage is due to a storm or an emergency, the power company may send out an electrical contractor to repair the damage at their expense. Additionally, some utilities may only require an inspection by the electrician, and the inspection process may be waived in cases of simple emergency repairs.
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The electric company must be granted access to your property for inspection and repairs
When it comes to your home's electrical system, it can be challenging to determine what you are responsible for and what your electrical company is responsible for. As a homeowner, you are typically responsible for maintaining and repairing most of the equipment on your property, including the wiring in and around your home, the weatherhead, and the lines leading from the meter.
However, the electrical company must be granted access to your property for inspection and repairs of specific components. This includes the service line, transformer, meter, and any other electrical equipment they provide. In some cases, they may need to access your property to troubleshoot and repair issues with your electric meter, service line, or transformer. While they will usually seek permission for access, they may take necessary steps such as cutting locks on gates or scaling fences if they cannot reach you.
It is important to note that the electrical company is only responsible for maintaining and repairing specific items. These include the electric meter and the electric lines running between poles. Any issues with the point of attachment, service entrance cable, service panel, fuse box, attachment device, connectors, or meter base are the customer's responsibility to repair before calling the electrical company to restore power.
As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to keep the weatherhead in good condition. The weatherhead is the hood-shaped cap that sits atop a metal pipe connecting your home to the electric service lines. Additionally, you are responsible for maintaining trees on your property and ensuring they are safely distanced from power lines. You can contact your energy provider for a temporary disconnection while trimming occurs to ensure safety.
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You must maintain trees on your property and keep them a safe distance from power lines
As a homeowner, you are responsible for maintaining most of the equipment on your property. This includes the wiring in and around your home, such as the wires connecting the weatherhead to the meter and the lines leading from the meter. You are also responsible for keeping trees on your property a safe distance from power lines.
Trees and branches that grow too close to power lines can be very dangerous. Since branches can conduct electricity, there is a risk of electric shock or electrocution. The wind or snow can also break branches growing near or above power lines, potentially pulling down the lines. Therefore, it is important to regularly prune trees near power lines to direct them to grow away from the wires.
While you are responsible for maintaining the trees on your property, it is important to note that your utility company also has some responsibility for ensuring that power lines are clear of trees and hazards. In some cases, they may even contract tree trimmers to clear the lines. However, their responsibility typically only extends to the top two distribution lines.
If a tree falls on a power line, the electric utility company that owns the lines is generally responsible for repairing them and restoring power. They will cut, trim, or remove trees or branches from their equipment to restore service and ensure future reliability. However, the disposal of branches, logs, or other debris associated with trees is typically the property owner's responsibility.
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Frequently asked questions
The electrical company is responsible for maintaining and repairing the electric meter and electric lines running between poles. The property owner is responsible for maintaining and repairing everything else, including the wiring in and around the home, the weatherhead, and the meter base.
A weatherhead is the typically hood-shaped cap that sits atop a metal pipe connecting your home and electric service lines. It is the property owner's responsibility to keep the weatherhead in good condition.
If you notice any damage or suspect something is wrong, you should contact your provider and let them send out a professional to assess the issue. Your safety should be a priority when it comes to electrical issues.
Yes, the electrical company and its contractors should make all attempts to get your permission before accessing your property for inspection, repair, and maintenance of your service line, transformer, meter, or any other electrical equipment. However, if they cannot get your permission, they may cut locks on gates or scale fences to gain access if necessary.
