Toronto Hydro issues contact voltage warning

Contact Voltage safety tips from Toronto Hydro cover wet sidewalks, freezing and thawing, streetlight poles, sidewalk handwells, downed wires, utility equipment, and power lines, urging pedestrians and pet owners to stay back and call hotlines.

Now that winter has arrived, Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited is launching its annual "Be Safe" campaign to remind Toronto pedestrians to be cautious around all electrical equipment and street fixtures.

In particular, wet sidewalks combined with freezing and thawing can cause contact voltage conditions to occur. If possible, pedestrians and their pets should avoid electrical equipment like streetlight poles and sidewalk handwells, as urged in Toronto Hydro's Be Safe campaign materials. Pedestrians should always be aware of utility equipment and other fixtures that are in close proximity to their paths.

Pedestrians who suspect the presence of contact voltage should call Toronto Hydro's hotline immediately.

Contact voltage is an intermittent condition that exists when electricity or voltage is present on street equipment such as sidewalk handwells or hydro pole plate covers. It is more likely to be present during wet, icy and salty conditions, and street shocks are expected to remain an ongoing concern during such periods. Freezing and thawing can cause the ground around underground equipment to shift, thereby disturbing underground wiring and creating conditions where contact voltage can occur.

Although Toronto Hydro is continuing its nightly street scanning and handwell replacement with non-conductive covers, and has faced blackout criticism in the past, contact voltage conditions can still occur under certain conditions.

In 2010, Toronto Hydro began a new phase of its Contact Voltage Remediation Program, following $14 million in stray voltage costs to fix issues, which involves replacing handwells in the city of Toronto with a non-conductive polymer-concrete model. This new standard is intended to reduce the risk of contact voltage.

Winter storms and high winds can cause falling tree limbs to pull down overhead wires, and following storm safety tips can help people stay cautious during such events. Wires that come down can be 'live' with electrical current, and wet or icy roads can provide a short circuit path for electricity to travel. Remain at least 30 feet away from downed wires and call 911 or Toronto Hydro 416.542.8000. Toronto Hydro will dispatch a crew to repair the damaged equipment.

Residents should not try to trim back overgrown trees if they are in close proximity to power lines. Instead they should call Toronto Hydro's Forestry department 416.542.7800. Forestry crews at Toronto Hydro are trained to prune trees around power lines on private property, there is no cost for this service if the tree is too close to our high voltage equipment.

Regardless of weather, children should be discouraged from playing around electrical equipment or near power lines, work sites and power stations. If passers-by notice that locks or doors on electrical equipment or stations are broken due to tampering, they should call Toronto Hydro immediately.

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