Winters in Minnesota present challenges to members and Todd-Wadena’s line workers. A daily or even hourly question: Where do we put all this snow?
Keep safety in mind when clearing snow from your driveway and other areas around your home or business. Electric cooperative members need to be mindful of the location of power equipment and make sure it is clear and accessible for Todd-Wadena crews. Please take note of the locations of pad-mounted transformers, meters, regulators, cabinets, poles, and overhead wires before moving snow.
Snow piled on electrical equipment not only impacts your safety, but also has the potential to affect electric service to hundreds of homes and businesses in your neighborhood. The National Electric Code states to allow at least 10 feet in front of power equipment and 3 feet on the sides and back for line workers to be able to access the area in the event of an emergency.
In addition to paying attention to ground-level equipment, be sure to look up and be aware of overhead power lines – especially when removing snow from your roof. Also, make plans to pile snow away from power lines where children might play.
In the event of an outage, clearing snow around utility equipment will make it easier for line workers to get power restored. TWEC recommends using a shovel to prevent damage. This allows members to be aware of the utility infrastructure below. If members notice damaged equipment, please contact TWEC at (218) 631-3120 or (800) 321-8932 so it can be inspected.
