Safety
Right of Way
Our right-of-way maintenance program helps prevent power interruptions by trimming or removing trees and brush which could be potential fire hazards or cause power outages. Tree-to-line contact can also cause momentary interruptions or blinks in power. Tree trimming or clearing helps prevent extended outages during storms or strong winds.
Safety is the number one reason for cutting down trees around power lines. Electricity always seeks a path to the ground. Conductors of electricity include water, your body, tree branches, metal poles and ladders. When you become part of this path, you may be injured or killed. Reducing the amount of trees and brush provides a safer environment for your family members and provides safer access for Itasca-Mantrap personnel when it becomes necessary to repair power lines or poles.
After safety, service reliability is a key responsibility of your electric cooperative; providing members with the best possible power quality. Have you ever noticed your lights blink? Tree branches that touch power lines are a major reason for these blinks. One tree on your property coming into direct contact with power lines not only affects your home, but it affects the power quality for hundreds of your neighbors. Proper clearance today prevents inconvenience tomorrow.
What is the electric line right of way?
An electric line right of way is a strip of land that an electric utility uses to construct, maintain, repair or replace an overhead or underground power line. The right of way allows the utility to provide clearance from trees, buildings and other structures that could interfere with the line installation, maintenance and operation.
Clearance requirements depend on the amount of voltage on a line. Primary wires (7,200 volts) generally require a 25-foot maximum clearance on all sides for trimming. Secondary service wires (240 volts) require a 5-foot clearance. Please notify Itasca-Mantrap of trees on or near your property that are endangering the power lines.
Pole Inspections
Itasca-Mantrap contracts with STAR Energy Services for pole inspection and treatment. STAR is an engineering and inspection company owned by Runestone Electric Association, Alexandria MN, Meeker Cooperative Light & Power, Litchfield MN, Agralite Electric Cooperative, Benson MN, and Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative, Wadena MN.
Pole inspections help improve safety, reliability and quality of service to Itasca-Mantrap members. Inspections detect problem areas such as carpenter ants, fire damage, pole decay and other defects. Treatment of poles helps to lengthen their life and is a cost-effective way to ensure pole integrity and conserve wood resources.
In 2010, STAR Energy Services inspected a total of 1,542 poles in the Hiram, Shingobee, Akeley, White Oak and Nevis Townships. Of the poles tested, 135 were rejected. Itasca-Mantrap linemen worked over the winter to replace these poles, many without the interruption of service.