Staying safe around overhead lines
Stay back, stay safe
Whether you’re working on your home, trimming trees, or getting outside to play, remember to stay a safe distance away from power lines depending on their voltage. That means above, below, and beside.
Safe distance limits
The space you need to maintain between you and an overhead power line is called a safe distance limit. In the workplace it is referred to as the limits of approach. The safe distance limit depends on the voltage of the powerline.
You or your equipment can attract electricity without touching the power line itself and can cause serious injury or even death. Additionally, a tree or an object within the safe distance limit can also be a hazard. Maintaining the safe distance limit prevents energy from arcing or jumping from an energized line to you or anything too close to the power line and keeps you safe.
The higher the voltage of the power line, the farther energy can arc or jump. This is also why when the voltage is higher you need to stay farther away. By staying outside of the safe distance limits you'll be safe.
Voltage and safe distance limits
The safe distance limit you’ll need to stay away from a power line to remain safe depends on the voltage. Voltage is measured in volts (V), and kilovolts (kV) which is equal to 1,000 volts.
| Voltage | Safe distance | |
|---|---|---|
| Meters | Feet | |
| Under 750 V | 1 | 4 |
| Over 750 V to 75 kV |
3 | 10 |
| Over 75 kV to 250 kV | 4.5 | 15 |
| Over 250 kV to 550 kV | 6 | 20 |
Identifying types of power lines and voltage
It’s important to be aware of the voltage of different types of power lines so you know the safe distance limit.
Service lines
A service line is the wire that runs from a BC Hydro pole directly to your home or many businesses. They are energized up to 750 V so it’s important to stay back at least one metre from these lines.
Click to view this image at a larger size [JPG, 336 KB].
Distribution lines
Distribution lines are lines that carry electricity from the substation to your home or business. They most often run along the side of roads. The average voltage for these lines is 12kV to 25kV.
Overhead distribution lines are strung along power poles. They have up to four wires and can have multiple sets. The wires are usually located at or near the top of the pole.
These power lines are always energized at over 750 V, so you need to stay back at least three metres.
Transmission lines
Transmission lines are high voltage power lines that bring electricity from where it’s made at our generating stations to substations near communities across B.C.
Their voltage ranges from 60kV to 550 kV. It’s best to stay back at least six metres from these lines unless we’ve identified the line voltage.
When considering doing work on trees near powerlines, if you’re unsure of the voltage of the power lines you’ll be working around, or the safe distance limit you should maintain, give our team a call at 1 800 224 9376 and ask to speak to a vegetation coordinator for your area.
Working safely around overhead power lines
Jobs like pruning or removing trees on your property, cleaning gutters, or doing home renovations might take you close to nearby power lines. It's important to remember that it’s more than just your body that needs to remain outside of the safe distance limit. With any work you may be doing, consider the tools you're using and how far they will extend from your body. For example, if using a ladder, all parts of the ladder need to stay outside of the safe distance limit.
You can perform your own tree trimming or pruning if you can verify the voltage of the line you’ll be working near and can maintain the appropriate safe distance limit between yourself, the reach of your tools, and the powerline. You must also maintain the safe distance limit between all parts of the tree and the powerline.
For anyone who can't do their own pruning, or are unsure how to do it safely, we recommend contacting a certified utility arborist (CUA). A CUA is a qualified person who undertakes any work required to prune, fall, or remove trees and clear vegetation in proximity to energized conductors or electrical equipment.
If you choose to prune your own trees and any part of a tree or hedge on your property is within the safe distance limit of a power line, you’ll need to contact our team to assess the situation.
If you have questions about trimming or pruning trees near power lines or need our team to assess your situation, please give us a call 1 800 224 9376 and ask to speak to a vegetation coordinator.
In some cases, we can temporarily disconnect your low voltage overhead service line if you need to work near power lines. Call our Express Connect Centre at 1 877 520 1355 to see if this option is right for you.
You can learn more about how BC Hydro manages trees and vegetation around our system here.
If your profession has you working near electrical infrastracture, see our training resources for workers.
Keeping our poles clear
For safety reasons, we ask that you keep power poles clear of signs, posters, banners, and other objects. Our crews need open access to poles for maintenance, and emergency repairs.
Signs can cover up defects that we look for when inspecting our equipment. Nails and staples used to attach signs can injure our crews. They can also break down power poles faster, compromising the strength and safety of the pole.
Staying safe when playing outside
Remember to keep yourself and any objects you're holding outside of the safe distance limits of a power line when playing outdoors.
Avoid flying recreational drones near power lines. There are various hazards when flying close to power lines, including the risk of electric shock, communication interference, wind changes, and distance misjudgment.
If something you're playing with, like a balloon, kite, or drone gets stuck in a power line, never try to retrieve it. Call 1 800 224 9376 to report it.
Remember to place trampolines a safe distance from power lines, so that even when jumping, you're outside of the safe distance limits on all sides.