Need Help With Underground Wire Markings

[Motorman55]

Looking into widening my driveway. Having all the utilities marked out. JCP&L came out today and marked my lines. However I wasn't here to ask the guy what they mean.

I was hoping to be able to widen the driveway to the dirt line. Looking at the pics you can see that there is a underground box with an aluminum plate over it that's on my property.


Questions:

1) What does the '0' in the line on the right mean?
2) Is the red line on the left an actual power line or is it showing the point I can dig over to?
3) If that left line is a power line also, how far away would I have to stay away from it?

My assumption is they're both power lines. One in and One out. Thanks for any info.

 

[rlmartinson]

Looks like they are all power lines at house voltage(240V). That lid is a secondary hand hole and functions at a junction box. The UG secondary from the street comes into the box and then heads back out to continue to the next house. Your service is shown heading to the house. Typically locates have a 18" error factor, but I bet its pretty accurate here. Its up to you utility to tell you how close you can get the driveway.

 

[larry4406]

No clue on the "0" mark.

Red is your 240V secondary service.

The "box" (aka handhole) seems to show a red mark to the right. Is that the service for your neighbor's meter?

We have subdivisions and my private driveway with asphalt over buried services but I agree the power company will need to tell you if you can cover with asphalt or how close. When/if access is needed the asphalt gets cut and often doesn't patch nicely.

 

[Motorman55]

No clue on the "0" mark.

Red is your 240V secondary service.

The "box" (aka handhole) seems to show a red mark to the right. Is that the service for your neighbor's meter?

We have subdivisions and my private driveway with asphalt over buried services but I agree the power company will need to tell you if you can cover with asphalt or how close. When/if access is needed the asphalt gets cut and often doesn't patch nicely.

Yes. I didn't get to talk to the guy when he was marking it to ask him. Tomorrow I'll call the power company and see if I can get those questions answered.

 

[The Cobbler]

it looks like you have a telephone co pedestal there too, but I don't see any locates?

 

[Motorman55]

it looks like you have a telephone co pedestal there too, but I don't see any locates?

Today was day 3 of 3 of the work order for all utilities concerns to come and mark their lines. Township did theirs and JCP&L did theirs. Figures the Verizon and Comcast cable guys wouldn't show up on time.

 

[Pntyrmvr]

Around here telco doesn't do residential locates.

They send 3 morons in 3 trucks to figure out how to repair the damage after the fact.

At no cost mind you.

Somebody must have down a huge cost/benefit analysis on that scenario.

 

[cvairwerks]

Circle should be the line as located and the line to the left should be location tolerance edge.

 

[larry4406]

Around here telco doesn't do residential locates.

They send 3 morons in 3 trucks to figure out how to repair the damage after the fact.

At no cost mind you.

Somebody must have down a huge cost/benefit analysis on that scenario.

This seems to be the norm with Comcast and Verizon in my area as well.

 

[rlitman]

Around here telco doesn't do residential locates...

Around here, all of the local companies hire out the same independent contractor to do locates, and share the bill.

 

[Motorman55]

I got a visit from one of the HOA's Board of Trustee to let me know that he called the power company (JCP&L) and was told that there is no required set back from the in-ground box/hand hole plate. Said I could pave right up to the plate/box, just not drive over the aluminum plate itself. So I guess I'm good to go there.


Meanwhile, the Verizon phone company came today, Day 4 and marked their lines. Still waiting for Comcast cable company to mark theirs. Figured they'd be the last to show up. Nice to know where all the wires and pipes are under ground now. Can't say the same for the lawn sprinkler pipes. I've already cut into 3 different lines while digging holes for the wife's plants. Getting good at repairing them though.

 

[The Cobbler]

Around here telco doesn't do residential locates.

They send 3 morons in 3 trucks to figure out how to repair the damage after the fact.

At no cost mind you.

Somebody must have down a huge cost/benefit analysis on that scenario.

same here, local phone/cable tv lines are not marked, only the mains . I guess they figure its cheaper in the long run to repair the odd home service than to mark each cable.

Around here, all of the local companies hire out the same independent contractor to do locates, and share the bill.

same here .

 

[Motorman55]

Its Day 5 or 6....Still waiting on Comcast Cable to mark out their underground lines. All other utility lines marked.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Get going and get the job done!
Digging up a utility line that can cause hazardous problems is why they mark out lines....... CATV is not a hazardous line and they had their chance to come out.
You did your job according to the law. Keep your dig number is a "keeper file" just in case "CONcast" has a problem...... Enough time has gone by for them to come out.

BTW! Easier to as for forgiveness than asking for permission!