HECO gives safety tips on identifying utility lines
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) — Seeing a low-hanging or damaged utility line can be alarming, but not all overhead lines carry electricity.
Many reports of damaged lines involve telecom equipment owned by telephone, cable, or internet providers.
Hawaiian Electric said knowing the difference between electric and telecommunication lines helps to ensure hazards are reported correctly and addressed quickly.
HECO shared four ways to tell the difference between power lines and telecom lines:
- Power lines are thinner than telecom lines and are typically made of aluminum or copper. Telecom lines are thicker and usually wrapped in a hard protective covering.
- Power lines are located on the highest portion of utility poles. Telecom lines are installed on lower portions of poles.
- Power lines are held in place on poles with insulators, which help insulate the lines from the poles. Telecom lines don’t require insulators for installation on utility poles.
- Power lines are spaced apart and should not contact one another. Telecom lines are usually grouped and appear as large bundles of cables.
Telecommunication poles are often shorter and smaller in circumference. They only hold telecommunications lines, which are largely bundled together to appear as thick single lines.
“Many people understandably assume that any wire hanging low is a powerline,” said Jim Kelly, Hawaiian Electric vice president of government and community relations and corporate communications. “While every damaged line should be treated with caution, recognizing the difference between electrical and telecommunications equipment can help get the right crews to the right location faster and keep everyone safe.”
To report downed power lines, call one of the Trouble Lines below, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Oahu: 1-855-304-1212
- Maui County: 1-855-304-8181
- Hawaii Island: 1-855-304-9191
To report safety concerns regarding Telecommunication Lines, call:
- Hawaiian Telecom: 808-643-6111
- Spectrum: 833-949-0036