Monday, October 31, 2011

Electrical Service Advisory

From the Middletown Fire Department


Mayor Giuliano and City Officials have been working closely with Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) representatives to assess the massive power outages that have darkened the city due to the historic winter storm.  Residents are asked to be patient while CL&P works to restore power.  The storm has damaged the distribution grid and residents may be without power for up to a week or more. 
Residents are also reminded that CL&P is responsible for the repair of wires from the utility pole to the connection at the household service, usually refereed to as the weather head. Property owners are responsibly for the maintenance and repair of their own electrical service. If there is damage to any of the electrical service on the outside of the house, the property owner will be required to contract with a licensed electrician for any repairs of the service leading to the CL&P connection point. If there is any doubt or concern on the soundness of the electrical service, residents are encouraged to consult with a licensed electrician.  Safety must be a priority; remember that wires may be energized.
The City would also like to remind residents that the City’s shelter is open at Middletown High School, 200 LaRosa Lane.  The shelter is available for warming needs, charging of electrical devices, hot showers, food and water.  Based on the capacity of the shelter, cots may not be available. The Council Chamber at City Hall, 245 deKoven Drive, will also be available as a warming and charging station as well.
(more)

2-2-2 Electrical Restoration
For more information you can contact the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) information line at (860)347-0144.
 

3 comments:

Gal said...

Just checking - is the word "outside" correct in this sentence? Seems instead like you mean owners are responsible for service INSIDE (since CL&P handles the outside).

"If there is damage to any of the electrical service on the OUTSIDE of the house, the property owner will be required to contract with a licensed electrician for any repairs of the service leading to the CL&P connection point."

Tree Fanatic said...

I think "outside" literally means the point where the wires connect to the outside of your house. In my limited experience, CL&P is only responsible for the wires up to the pole. You are responsible for the service wires from pole to house. That is why they no longer prune branches that overhang service wires (as opposed to distribution wires along the roadway.)

Mr. Fixit said...

Tree Fanatic's statement is in error based on her self-admitted "limited experience": CL&P is responsible for wiring from the pole to the house's "weatherhead"; that's the knob-like device at the top of the entrance of power to your homes.

The "weatherhead" must be undisturbed for CL&P to connect to it. If the "weatherhead" or the downlead from it is pulled away from the house, that is your responsibility and a licensed electrician must be retained to do repairs prior to CL&P reconnecting. "And that's the truth!" - Lily Tomlin/Edith Ann