Carpentry/Engineering Question

the difference of underground service and overhead service is quite large when you are talking about a large span from the house to the utility pole. when an overhead service is installed, the home owner is responsible for nothing more than wire to reach the service drop that the utility company would install. When going underground, the home owner is responsible for the wire that goes from the house, through the underground conduit and up the pole to the tie in location there.

 

I think you will probably be okay. It's better to distribute the load over as many trusses as you can of course. I would only be concerned during ice buildup on the powerline during the winter and if a tree fell on the line. The only thing I may have done was scab the top chords with 2x8s and then attached your 4x4 to the 2x8s.

 

Yes, but which system is more likely to need repair ?
You could also argue that underground is safer.

Depends on the application and the economics involved, I would say.
There are no more overhead service lines in my area.
They're going away as utility companies try to make their systems more storm resistant.

 

Pretty much all new subdivisions here since the 80's are underground power and utilities and they are burrying a lot of existing lines. Between the ice we get in the winter and the severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the spring, it's a smart idea around here to mitigate repair costs.

 

Underground is going to cost him thousands of dollars guys , not really relevant to his question .

 

Yeah, it's a little off-topic and way too late.

A little late on the other, too.
Hope he ends up with something workable.

 

Here's photos of the near finished product. The caulking isn't on yet in the photos nor are the wires trimmed. Oh, and it is 140 feet of power line too

 

more photos

 

Looks good.
Keep an eye on it for leaks.

 

The area of sheeting the eyebolt comes through is darkened , is that new water , or old evidence of a leak ?

You might want to seal that penetration with a self sealing roofing membrane .

Looks like a well thought out connection in the trusses .

 

That's an old leak. It hasn't leaked in a long time though.

 

Any other opinions on if this is enough to support 140 feet of power line?

 

I think you are fine .

If a tree lands on the line that might be a different story , but you have a pretty stout connection there for the dead weight .

 

Good deal, as long as the trusses hold fine without a tree limb. That was the main question.