From a safety standpoint, how far should you park from downed power lines?

From a safety standpoint, how far should you park from downed power lines?

• A. Ten feet
• B. A distance equal to the span between utility poles
• C. Fifty feet
• D. One mile

Answer: (B)

The safety concept here is that the dangerous area around a downed power line is tied to the actual span of the line, not a fixed distance. A downed line can remain energized and can arc or energize the ground and nearby objects beyond what you can see. Keeping a distance equal to the span between adjacent utility poles places you well outside the most likely arc area and current paths, reducing the chance of electrical shock or a dangerous arc jumping to you or your vehicle. Ten feet or fifty feet don’t reliably cover that arc zone, and a mile is unnecessarily large for typical pole spacing. Since the span length can vary, using the distance between poles as the rule of thumb helps ensure you’re out of the energized area. Remember to keep others back and contact emergency services and the utility to secure the scene.

The safety concept here is that the dangerous area around a downed power line is tied to the actual span of the line, not a fixed distance. A downed line can remain energized and can arc or energize the ground and nearby objects beyond what you can see. Keeping a distance equal to the span between adjacent utility poles places you well outside the most likely arc area and current paths, reducing the chance of electrical shock or a dangerous arc jumping to you or your vehicle.

Ten feet or fifty feet don’t reliably cover that arc zone, and a mile is unnecessarily large for typical pole spacing. Since the span length can vary, using the distance between poles as the rule of thumb helps ensure you’re out of the energized area. Remember to keep others back and contact emergency services and the utility to secure the scene.