Is it safe, if there is an electricity transformer at the corner of my backyard?

Question

I want to build a new house. Everything's fine except the electricity poles. They can't be avoided. I chose a nice land; however, there is a pole with a transformer at the corner of my backyard. Is it safe? Does it affect people's health? Thank you for your response. Have a nice day!

Answer 1

The local distribution transformer does not run off of the very high voltages that are used by long-haul transmission lines (for which the Europeans have some studies linking harmful effects with very high voltage).

The transformer in your back yard has a primary voltage anywhere from 4,000 to 25,000 volts (fixed depending on the design from the power company). This is far from the 100s of thousands of volts of a HV transmission line. (The secondary voltage to your home is 240 volts split into two 120 volt circuits -- assuming you live in the North America.)

There have been no studies to my (fairly extensive) knowledge linking any "low" voltage (<100,000 volts) transmission to any ill health effects. Besides, whether the transformer was there, or not, you'd still have the 25,000 volt distribution line in your back yard over the easement path anyway.

The only likely danger you face, that your neighbors don't, is if the transformer faults and explodes, and the sparks from the explosion ignite something on your property. This happens more often than the power companies make it known, but it is still a rare occurance. If it there is any serious property damage, the power company's insurance will pay for it.

Just don't store any woodpiles or brush compost piles in that corner of your lot, keep the trees clear of all power lines, and you should be fine.

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Answer 2

Manufacturers of these transformers have invested a considerable amount of their money on research and engineering to ensure that their product are safety, meets international approval and within the specified standards or recommendations. Even on the installation of this transformer, several requirements, numerous building laws and city ordinances are taken into consideration.

Answer 3

The electromagnetic radiation from power lines has been shown not to have an effect on our cellular structure, however it does still interact with it and there are statistics for higher rates of cancer near these types of fields.

So, you should be OK, but then again... who knows.

Answer 4

Except for slight television interference you won't even know it's there.