What’s in the box?
by Shae Ishimoto | Oct. 8, 2019
Growing up it was the place to meet with your neighborhood friends. It was sometimes considered the home base when playing tag. Or it was just a place to sit down to talk story with friends until the street lights came on to let us know that it was time to go home. If you haven’t figured out what I’m describing, let me tell you. But before I do, here’s one more hint: It’s the big green box in your neighborhood. Many of us have at least some childhood memory of them.
These green boxes that we have fond memories of are actually high-voltage transformers, which typically power up to six homes. That’s a lot of electricity in just one of these boxes! Many of them have hazardous voltage warning stickers, but even if you did notice those warnings, you probably never thought twice about sitting on the transformer.
You’re probably telling yourself right now that everyone’s stood on them or sat on one before so it’s no big deal. What people don’t realize is that these transformers can cause harm if not handled properly.
One of our employees mentioned that he saw a resident manager standing on a transformer with metal sheers to cut a hedge. You can see how this could’ve ended badly. Remember, these transformers aren’t just harmless green boxes on the sidewalk.
I also know that a lot of us like to keep our yards nice and neat, but some of us have a pad-mounted transformer right in our yard. They’re not the most aesthetically pleasing lawn ornaments, which is why many of us try to put plants around the transformer to hide it. Although this might help with your neighborhood landscaping competition, it doesn’t help our utility workers when they need to perform maintenance on them. Plant shrubs, trees and other greenery at least 10 feet away from the transformer door and 4 feet away from the sides. By doing so, workers can maintain the transformers safely with no obstructions.
If you do need to dig near a transformer for some reason, make sure to call 8–1–1 first. Even though we only see the green box above ground, remember that they’re surrounded by underground cables. Hitting a cable while digging could result in an electrical shock or disruption of service for you and your neighbors. You should always consult with us to see how far and deep you can dig around the transformer.
Remember, these transformers, or green boxes, are high-voltage electrical equipment. Just like we did as youngsters, children can view them as playground equipment. Keep children safe with these tips:
- Never touch, climb or play on pad-mounted transformers
- Never put fingers, sticks or other objects through cracks in the transformer
- Maintain a wide perimeter around the box
In other words, the big green box should no longer be “home base.”
Shae Ishimoto is a social media coordinator at Hawaiian Electric Company.
