12

An older home has a strung electrical main. The main connects with exposed lugs on the roof above the deck. Not only is the height and location unsafe, while working on the roof today I noticed that the insulation on the main electrical lines is deteriorated. This is before the meter and my main breaker.

Here you can see the exposed main lugs. This is about 8.5' from the deck surface. Somebody carrying a tall object such as a pole or a ladder or a piece of pipe could easily hit these.

exposed main lugs

I am in the process of re-locating the main for the home to a different, safer location. At that time I will need the power company to handle and relocate this main line. However, I am quite concerned above the safety of this line as-is. You can clearly see the deteriorated insulation in one of the legs of the wire. The neutral is completely exposed and the red conductor is significantly worn.

deteriorated insulation

Is there anything I can do to address this until the utility company can relocate the line? I was considering a spray-on electrical insulator. I am not properly equipped to actually be in contact with this wire to apply tapes or paint-on insulation.

Steven
  • 27,770
  • 10
  • 56
  • 90
Matthew
  • 10,823
  • 23
  • 64
  • 109

1 Answers1

21

No. There is nothing you can, or should do to fix this.

Don't touch it, don't go near it, don't even look at it anymore. Get off the roof, and call the local power company or an Electrician.

Service entrance cables do not have overcurrent protection and will shock you until the transformer blows, the wire burns and breaks, or contact with the line has been broken. All of which will likely happen long after you are dead.

Community
  • 1
Tester101
  • 133,087
  • 80
  • 327
  • 617