Lawn Mowers and Transformers

Roy Berendsohn is the Senior Home Editor of Popular Mechanics. He asked that his personal experience be shared with our readers, in the interest of safety, and as a public service.

I returned home a few weeks ago and found that the lawn contractor that mows my development is repeatedly hitting the above-ground transformer boxes. In this case, the metal cabinet houses a 13,000-volt transformer (according to the PSE&G crew that came out to move the transformer box back into position). The technician told me, “Oh yeah, this happens all the time. We have another one to do after we’re done here.”

Somebody of Mike’s stature needs to bring this problem to the public’s attention (in the same way that he’s done announcements about not swimming off of docks where boats are moored). And while on this topic, the public should know not to let their kids play on or even around these boxes. I came outside once while a bunch of young moms waiting for the school bus stood idly by while their kids were climbing on the transformer box and jumping off. I said, “Excuse me, but I wouldn’t let your kids do that. It’s a transformer box and inside is a transformer of many thousands of volts of electricity.” They gave me a blank look until I said, “It’s actually quite dangerous to allow your kids to play on it.” They got their kids off the box and I haven’t seen them on the box since.

Sincerely,

Roy

You can contact Roy Berendsohn at PopularMechanics.com