Power line problem

I'm not sure. Call WAPA and ask.

I'm going to guess that everything from the power plant to the meter is WAPA, and everything after the meter is you.

WAPA is responsible for everything up to the weather-head. The weather-head is shaped like a nautilus shell and is where the wires from the transformer enter the conduit leading to your electrical meter.

Any repairs done to the electrical system above the meter, however, need to be done in cooperation with WAPA, preferably by a licensed electrician because the power must be disconnected at the transformer before work can be done.

The two power lines from the pole are twined around an aluminum cable. The cable is attached to a screw-in insulator, which was screw into the roof. What I did immediately was tie the insulator to an older stay mounted on the roof. I don't want to call WAPA and have them make a big, expensive production out of it.

Thanks for the responses, I'm ready for any other thoughts
PT

Like Bob said, if the issue is before or at the meter Wapa will be responsible. If it's after the meter it's on the home owner. If there is a main disconnect at the meter you should be able to isolate the power, make the repair, then turn it back on safely. If this is the feed to the meter call Wapa.
Is this your house or a rental?

This our first house on STX. What you're saying is clear.

Thanks, STL,
PT

Here's what a couple of weatherheads look like. Ours happens to be on the utility pole, which also has the transformer.

The two power lines from the pole are twined around an aluminum cable. The cable is attached to a screw-in insulator, which was screw into the roof. What I did immediately was tie the insulator to an older stay mounted on the roof. I don't want to call WAPA and have them make a big, expensive production out of it.

Thanks for the responses, I'm ready for any other thoughts
PT

The wires from the meter to the pole are HOT! The insulation on these wires is to protect the conductors from the elements. They should never be handled unless you're wearing "hot gloves" (insulated gloves) or they've been disconnected at the source. Call WAPA!

Not only are they hot, but the insulation is unreliable.

The aluminum cable is your neutral (& ground, bonded @ the utility).
This is the only safe line to mess with.
But, If you don't know what your doing, don't mess w/ it!
I'm 99% sure WAPA is responsible for this line installation(so, why mess w/ it?), this wire also supports the 2 hot(black wires).
Don't take a chance!

Many times, the hot wires insulation gets chaffed from the bare neutral, if the power is not turned off & they connect, it will blow a fuse @ the transformer.

when I built my house I was responsible for the mounting of the meeter as well as the cable from the meter to the sky. That included making sure that it was safe and well built.

So I would guess that YOU are responsible.

Billd

I just went through this. RKS is correct, your responsibility actually starts before the meter at the weatherhead. I had to replace my 2 meters as they broke inside BEFORE my master breaker. It required a Wapa disconnect, an electrician, a contractor to concrete the new meters in etc. It was probably about $1000 all in to get repaired.

In your case though it sounds like the issue is BEFORE the weatherhead so I'd call Wapa and have them reattach the line. It really shouldn't be that big of a production, their line guys are pretty good. They even turned on our power late on a Friday night after the disconnect. Despite WAPA's issues the line guys seem pretty good.

Sean

I agree that the line guys have always been great when we've needed them. Wapa management is a different story.

I found the weathhead thanks to the picture and descriptions. It's smaller than the one pictured and no doubt a real old-timer. WAPA came out with the hour after being called and said I was to instal a roof mount and they would reattach the aluminum wire. Said I could pick up a mount at a hardware store - Gallow's Bay?

Thanks,
PT

On STX you could also try Quality Electric in Peter's Rest

We've always had good service/relations with the WAPA work crews. They seem to arrive in a timely manner and do a professional job. Front office could take a lesson.

Glad to hear they came out within an hour, like many of us were saying, the line crews seem to be really good.

Sean