Xcel Energy Tips of the Trade
Overhead power line clearances
CALL
811 Know what’s below. Call before you dig.

To reach your state’s underground utility service/one-call center,
call 811 or visit their
online site by clicking on your state’s name below
.

The required “business day” wait time for each state is as follows (excludes weekends and holidays):

Colorado: 3 days (NEW LAW)
Michigan: 3 days
Minnesota: 2 days
New Mexico: 2 days
North Dakota: 3 days
South Dakota: 2 days
Texas: 2 days
Wisconsin: 3 days
Wyoming: 2 days

In case of emergency,
call 9-1-1 and Xcel Energy:

• Electric Emergencies:
  800.895.1999
• Natural Gas
  Emergencies:
  800.895.2999
• Colorado only:
  Gas Transmission
  Pipeline Emergencies:
  800.698.7811

 

 

Observe clearances
Maintaining the proper clearance from overhead power lines is not only critical to a safe work environment, it’s the law. So how do you determine the correct clearance distance? Follow these guidelines:

  shovel
  • If the overhead line is 50 kV or less, stay at least 10 feet away. The clearance distance is 20 feet for cranes and derricks used in construction, unless you have taken OSHA–mandated encroachment prevention precautions.
  • Keep all workers, materials, and equipment at least 20 feet away from lines carrying 50 kV to 350 kV.
  • For lines carrying more than 350 kV, keep a minimum distance of 50 feet.

If you are unsure of the power line’s voltage, contact your local electric utility before work begins. For specific clearance requirements, visit www.osha.gov.

Did you know?

  • A typical distribution line along a roadway may contain voltages ranging from 7,000 volts up to 138,000 volts.
  • Major transmission lines can be as high as 500,000 volts.
  • As voltage increases, clearance distance increases.
  • Direct and indirect contact with power lines is the most common cause of electrocution.

Don’t forget
Power lines are NOT insulated. Always consider them energized and dangerous. Any contact with overhead lines could cause serious injury or death to operators and ground crew. Be sure to mark a safety boundary to keep all workers, materials, and equipment the required distance away.

Would you like to know more?
Additional overhead and digging guidelines, emergency procedures, case studies, instructional videos, and training tools can all be found at no charge to you on Xcel Energy’s e–SMARTworkers website.

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For more information on contractor safety, visit
www.xcelenergy.com/safety.
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