this post was submitted on 12 Jul 2025
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Home Improvement

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Just noticed this when getting a new AC installed yesterday. Not sure if it's a bird or squirrel nest, or even active. It's super high up that I don't have a ladder to reach, also I am not super cool with being that close to electrical wiring but I feel like it's a hazard that needs to be removed. Anyone else experience this and what you suggest my approach should be or what service might need to be hired?

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The bare cable may also be for ground, but it's hard to tell. Even so, shouldn't carry any current, unless there's a lightning storm happening

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Ground wires don't go from the pole to the house. Your home's ground literally goes into the ground, either via a stake or by being attached to a cold water pipe. Having your ground connected to distant objects/poles/locations is counterproductive, because the extreme distance is likely to wind up with different potentials at different points, which would put current on the ground wire all the time, which is exactly what you don't want.

Anyway, notice that the big bare wire is not actually electrically connected to anything and is only attached to a tensioner pulling it against the house. The ferrule on the end is to keep it from fraying over time.