Much of the power pole and wire damage across the state since the weekend storm doesn’t stop at the street.
In many cases, wires are ripped right off the homes they once supplied power to, and residents are responsible for repairing some of the damage.
That is something many residents NBC Connecticut spoke to on Wednesday said they weren’t aware of.
“CL&P will repair the equipment leading to your home, including the service wire and connectors. Homeowners are responsible for all other equipment attached to a residence, including a clevis (house knob), weatherheads, conduits, conductors and the meter box,” according to CL&P. “However, you are not responsible for damage to the meter.”
Russell Atkinson, an electrician in New Britain, said the power company is responsible for the wire from the pole to the secure casing at the top of your roof, near the roofline. Any damage down to your meter would be covered by the homeowner.
Atkinson said it would be impossible for crews to repair individual damage to the homes and they wouldn’t be equipped to fix some of the homes. In some cases, siding and shingles were ripped from the house.
Electricians recommend that you:
- Visually inspect your home (if you can do so safely)
- Any questionable damage you see, call a licensed electrician (preferably one you are familiar with)
- Use the time waiting for your power to get answers to your questions before the power is turned on in your neighborhood.
Atkinson said that, if your home isn’t fixed properly, your power company might leave your power off. This means that your neighborhood lights will come on and your house will stay dark.
