Equipment Safety

Keeping DTE Transformers Clear

These green or grey metal boxes may be a familiar site in your neighborhood. But did you know these boxes provide power to you and your neighbors? When landscaping or structures block this equipment, it creates unsafe work environments for our crews, poses potential safety hazards for you and your neighbors and can cause prolonged outages.

There are many reasons why it’s important to maintain recommended clearances around this and other equipment.

For Your Safety

In the event of a fire, DTE must access this equipment to shut off power to your home before firefighters can enter. Much like a fire hydrant, this equipment must be accessed quickly. Keeping these boxes clear of landscaping and other obstructions will keep you and your neighbors safe.

For Our Crews’ Safety

Crews need at least eight feet clear in the front and two feet on all other sides to safely work on a transformer. Landscaping and other obstructions can crowd a work area, causing a hazard. We may need to remove obstructions before work begins.

Remove Pre-Existing Obstructions