Planting

  1. Planting Near Pad Mounted Tranformers
  2.  Right Tree Right Place

Many neighborhoods in Apex have underground electric systems, which include pad mounted transformers and underground lines. Transformers are placed in easements in yards and provide electric service to several homes meaning that one transformer can have many electric lines that span out in various directions.

Guidelines to remember when planting near transformers:

  1. Maintain a 3-foot boundary along the sides and back of the transformer. Equipment inside the transformer box generates heat and needs air circulation to keep cool and run efficiently. Overheating could cause an outage.
  2. Maintain a 10-foot boundary in front of the transformer. Equipment inside is energized (electricity is running) at high voltage. Line crews use long fiberglass sticks to work on energized transformers to avoid interrupting electric service to neighborhoods and need the exrtra space to work safely.
  3. Use gravel, wood chips, grass or low ground cover around the transformer. Flowers are okay but may get trampled if we have to work on it. 
  4. Call NC811 at 811 before you dig anywhere in your yard. They locate and mark underground utility services.