Clearance requirements for power equipment

Homeowners have a responsibility to maintain space around electrical equipment on their property. When EPCOR crews need to access this equipment, it's important that there's room to work safely.

Landscaping safety

EPCOR maintains the infrastructure that provides safe, reliable electricity to your home or business. When we need to access this equipment, it's important that there's room for our crews to work safely. You can help by ensuring the landscaping on your property is not interfering with our equipment.

Doing your part to maintain clearance can help us out when repairs are needed. Not only can we do our job quickly and safely, but it also means your community will have the power back on sooner when there's an outage.

Your responsibilities as a homeowner

Homeowners are responsible for any repairs required to the utility service cables (usually below ground) that start at the property line and run to the power meter. As a homeowner, you're also responsible for the power meter socket.

You also need to keep a minimum clearance space around all power equipment on your property. This includes all cables, lines, poles, and power boxes. Avoid planting trees and shrubs or building anything too close to the equipment.

When the power is out, our crews need to get to equipment quickly to get the power back on. If it takes time to find, or if we must do emergency landscaping to access it, it could cause delays for the entire neighbourhood. Make sure they can work quickly and safely by keeping the space clear and free of tripping hazards.

Safe trimming

If any of the vegetation on your property is encroaching on overhead lines or other electrical equipment, contact an arborist to prune and manage the growth.

Anytime you are working nearby electrical equipment, it's essential that the correct precautions are taken, including contacting EPCOR to temporarily disconnect the line to allow safe tree trimming for the arborist or yourself (at no cost to you).

Please call our emergency phone number in advance to ensure our crews can disconnect the power. This service is available every day, including Sundays and holidays, but may be delayed due to emergency work.

Safe diggin​​​g

Hitting underground power lines is a safety hazard and can be costly to repair. Knowing where they are will help you plan how to dig safely near them or know what areas to avoid.

Three simple steps to digging safely near underground power lines:

  1. Get your utilities located through utilitysafety.ca​opens in a new tab or by calling 1-800-242-3447​. This is a free service.
  2. Avoid digging within 1 metre of an underground power line or within 2 metres of a transformer.
  3. If you do need to dig within one metre, learn how to do it safely.

Landscaping near transformers and switching cubicles

EPCOR crews need to be able to quickly and safely access this equipment at all times. We recommend the following within 3 metres of a transformer or cubicle to ensure safe access:

  • ​To create a stable work area for our crews, decorative rock shall be 20 mm (3/4”) or smaller three-face fractured rock. Smooth, rounded rock will not be permitted as it is easier for our crews to slip on.
  • Wood chips shall be smaller than 4” as larger chips can create uneven footing.
  • No decorative boulders, trees, or fences as they can block access and reduce the work area.
  • Concrete and asphalt surface finishing is not permitted within 1 metre of a transformer/cubicle pad or power pole.​

Landscaping near electrical equipment and powe​r lines

Learn about the impacts and safety hazards associated with planting near electrical equipment and power lines.​

Clearance requirements for power equipment

To safely move electricity from the generating station to your home, there is a lot of equipment involved. The three common types of equipment you might find in your neighbourhood are power poles, transformers, and switching cubicles.

Power poles
Transformers
Switching cubicles

Disclaimer

This webpage provides information regarding safe work practices in relation to EPCOR power facilities. Employers and contractors have responsibilities under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (Alberta OHS) Act, Code, and Regulation. When there is a conflict between this document and any bylaws, legislation, or regulation, the relevant law prevails. Any reliance placed on this information is strictly at your own risk. EPCOR does not assume any responsibility or liability for any action, loss or damage that arises out of, or is in connection with the information contained in this webpage.

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