Always call Underground Locating (dial 811) at least 48 hours before you plan to dig . One of their company representatives will come out and locate existing buried conductors around the transformer.
The tendency is for homeowners to plant around the padmount transformer to “cover up the green box”. However, PenLight’s workers need room to work safely on this energized device. Obstructions can cause delays in power restoration and overgrown or hindering vegetation can create an unsafe working environment.
- Don’t plant trees near padmount transformers! A tree’s large root system could lift the concrete pad and potentially create a power outage.
- Don’t plant vines or ivy that can attach to and potentially damage the transformer.
- Don’t place dirt or wood chips against any portion of the transformer, as this could also cause it to overheat.
- Keep all shrubs, fences and other permanent structures no closer than 12 feet from the front and 6 feet from the back and sides.
- Select plants that are slow growing and easy to maintain. Avoid using plants with thorns (i.e., barberry, blackberry, hawthorn or roses).
- Don’t over plant—use a few properly selected plants (see the Recommended Species Selection guide.
- Don’t allow plants to overgrow the transformer. Valuable equipment can overheat and become damaged.
- Grid Numbers and/or company locks must be visible at all times.
- Don’t change grade levels around the padmount transformer for a distance of 6 feet or less.