DTEK Odesa Grids reminds community of power lines safety tips

DTEK Odesa Grids is a reliable and conscious company. We recurrently remind residents of Odesa and the region, as well as tourists of the electrical safety rules, which can save their health and life. Remember that each power line has its own protected zone, covering both the land under the towers and the airspace around. It is very dangerous to be in this area.

“During outdoor downtime, you need to take notice of the energy facilities nearby. The area along the overhead power lines is known as a protected zone. It depends on the voltage class of the overhead line and can be between 2 and 40 meters: 10 m for lines with a voltage of up to 20 kV, 15 m for lines with a voltage of 35 kV; 20 m for 110 kV lines; and 25 m for lines with voltage of 220 kV. Protected zone of transformer substations is at least 3 meters. For a safe leisure time, we recommend choosing places away from the protected zones of energy facilities,” says Oleksandr Fomenko, CEO at DTEK Odesa Grids.

Those who love fishing should remember that rods made of modern synthetic conductive materials are dangerous when fishing in the transmission line protected area. If such a fishing rod is lifted near a power line, then this may be quite enough for the rod to become live.

Please, remember that you cannot fish using fishing rods, spinning rods near power lines, or boating with them under power lines. If the rod or fishing line is close to the wires or touches them, then not only the person holding the fishing rod, but also the people who are nearby could be affected by the electric current. This is due to the step voltage. A person, touching live parts or bare wires that are energized, becomes a part of the electrical circuit. Therefore, an electric current flows through the human body. It affects the normal functioning of the nervous system, which causes seizures, stops breathing and stops the heart.

You should know a few simple rules to protect yourself and others from electric shock:

• Be careful when choosing where to fish. Fishing under power lines is life-threatening;
• When moving under the power lines, fold the rod to avoid any accidental contact of the wires or approaching the rod at a close distance;
• If you presented a fishing rod to your child, be sure to tell him about the possible danger associated with electric shock;
• If you are fishing, but there is a nasty turn in the weather, immediately leave the water and go as far from the coastline as possible, because the water is a good conductor of electric current. Fold a fishing rod because it could attract electrical discharge;

Remember, fishing near overhead power lines poses a serious risk to life and health. Choose safe places to fish.

Earlier, DTEK Odesa Grids recalled some electrical safety rules for children during summer holidays.