Electricity’s multiple applications make it indispensable for society today and continuous increases in consumption are produced, which require the construction of medium and high tension electric lines to transport energy from production to consumption points.
The first high-tension line in Andorra entered in service in 1934. The effort put forth by FEDA to construct the majority of high-tension lines underground makes it so that, little by little, the percentage of above-ground lines is reduced over the total.
Activities close to electric lines should be done while taking determined security norms into account so as to avoid possible accidents, due to the fact that electricity, being the energy source that it is, can present a potential risk.
Living with high tension electric lines
While fishing, you should stay away from electric lines. The proximity of a rod to a line can produce an electrical discharge. You should take into account that many fishing rods contain materials that conduct electricity, such as carbon fibre, for example.
- Lines passing over forests
To avoid accidental contact of electric cables with trees, which can cause fires or breakdowns, an open path along the line is created. The minimum width of this path depends on the line’s tension. FEDA takes care of maintaining this path free from vegetation.
- Do electric lines attract lightning volts?
Lightning bolts, a natural electrical phenomenon, tend to be related to electricity transported by lines. The presence of electrical lines doesn’t influence the formation and displacement of a storm. A bolt can fall on a line tower just the same as it could fall on a tree or bell tower.
Electric towers have a protective device that, if a lightning bolt falls, conducts the current to the ground. However, if a storm happens, as a precautionary measure, it is preferable not to get close to electrical towers.
- Land cultivation
Land can be cultivated under an electrical line, since the height of the cables in respect to the ground is sufficient enough to allow for normally used agricultural material. If it is necessary to use machinery of exceptional dimensions, or if the agriculture worker is interested in modifying the profile of the land situated underneath the line in such a fashion that the distance of the electrical cables in respect to the ground is modified, they should first put themselves in contact with FEDA to study a solution together that guarantees security conditions.
When using sprinklers, you must take care not to ever direct the water in such a fashion that it could touch electric cables.
Precautions should always be taken when handling sprinkler hoses that could be long enough to touch electric cables. You must be sure that they can be raised without any risk.
- Work close to lines
Much construction or other types of work is carried out close to lines. It is indispensable to respect the necessary security distances. It is especially important to adopt the adequate means when using tow trucks or when large objects are handled.
You must also be very careful when dumping material which reduces the distance between electric cables and the ground, or when creating slopes that could destabilize line support towers.
Even though we’re talking about above-ground electric lines, it should also be taken into account that there are many kilometres of underground lines and that precautions should be taken if you’re going to work close to them. In the first place, the exact location of the lines should be identified; to do this, it is indispensable to consult FEDA, who will send technical personnel to the area to mark the cable locations.
In all cases, it is recommended that you get in contact with FEDA’s technical services, which can give practical advice or adopt the security measures necessary to make doing work easier.
- What to do in the case of an accident?
A fallen electrical cable should never be touched, not even if it has been on the ground for a long time. Don’t get close and don’t let anyone else. It should immediately be communicated to the electrical company.
If an item or any other object has become stuck in contact with an electric cable, don’t touch it until the electric company authorizes such an action.
If there is a fire in the base of an electric tower, notify the electric company as soon as possible.