Power supply cable

[dandan1234]

Hi, this is my first post.

Today we have had our driveway excavated of the old concrete.
The man with the JCB has caught the power supply cable with his bucket. It has only just torn the insulation. We have measured the depth of the cable and its only 2.5 inches below the ground surface.

We haven't contacted the electric company yet, if they come out will we be expected to pay the bill? As surely shouldn't it be deeper than that?

Thanks Dan

 

[westie101]

There is no legal depth that a power cable should be laid at!
There are a lot of recommended depths for public highways & agricultural land but no legal depth especially on private land

Before excavating, steps to identify the route should have been taken i.e. obtaining plans from the DNO and using a cable locator.

You should get the DNO to visit as though the damage looks minor if not dealt with could lead to bigger problems in the future.

As for costs that is a bit of an unknown, some will charge some will not.

(though if you can leave it until 1st thing Monday morning so you do not have to pay overtime if they do charge)

Oh and your household insurance should cover this

 

[dandan1234]

Thanks for that, the man with digger suggested leaving it until Monday for that reason.

 

[westie101]

It would do no harm to cover the damage over with a board just in case it is more extensive than you think

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Oh and your household insurance should cover this

Yes, if he'd hired the JCB and was operating it himself.

But as he'd hired a groundworks company to remove the old driveway then it should be their insurance to pay - no point the OP getting a bad record, he didn't do anything.

Which reminds me.....

 

[westie101]

Strangely enough I visited a similar situation yesterday The customer had found the cable by hand and rang to ask our advice. No drama no problems.

I had a look and agreed that if he does the excavation I'll get it deepened FOC.

The point is we are not ogres but there are ways of getting it done, just getting the man in with a JCB and starting digging is not one of them