Stay safe - electricity equipment
At NIE we design and maintain the electricity equipment in Northern Ireland. This section provides more information about some of our electricity equipment and explains some of the dangers.
Electricity pylon 
The journey of electricity begins when electricity is carried from a power station along overhead lines. A transmission tower, more commonly known as an electricity pylon, is designed to support an overhead power line.
Although some people may think that pylons look like climbing frames they are extremely dangerous to climb.
We place barbed-wire around the base of pylons and clearly display yellow and black ‘Danger of Death’ signs to warn people that they are putting their lives in danger if they attempt to climb or come into contact with a pylon.
Electricity substation 
A substation reduces electricity voltage so that it is easier and safer to transmit along overhead power lines to homes, schools and offices.
A substation may be protected by fences or contained within a building. To help you to recognise a substation we will clearly display a series of yellow and black ‘Danger of Death’ signs at the entrance and around the substation. Do not enter a substation at any time.
Please ask an adult to call our telephone number displayed on a white sign at the entrance of the substation if you:
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lose your ball, toys or any of your belongings at a substation
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notice any damage at a substation such as a broken door or fence
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see an unlocked substation door or fence
Overhead lines 
Once the electricity is broken down at substations it travels along overhead lines which are normally held up by wooden poles.
Overhead lines are live and carry high electricity voltages ranging from 230 volts up to 110,000 volts. A series of yellow and black ‘Danger of Death’ signs will be clearly displayed on the wooden poles which support overhead lines.
If you are flying your kite, model aeroplane or fishing it is very important to make sure that you look up and look out for overhead lines.
A fishing rod or kite can conduct electricity and they do not have to touch the line for you to be electrocuted as electricity jumps gaps. If your kite or model aircraft is blown towards an electricity line you must:
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Let go immediately.
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Never try to touch the string to pull the kite free, high voltage electricity can travel down the string and you could be electrocuted.
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Keep yourself and others well away.
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Telephone us on 08457 643 643 for help and we can safely remove the kite from the line. If you leave it and say nothing someone else could get hurt or even killed by touching the hanging string.
Mini Pillars 
The last stage in the journey of electricity is from a 'mini-pillar' into your home or school. A mini-pillar is a grey metal box with a yellow and black ‘Danger of Death’ sign clearly displayed on the front of the box.
Please remember you should never try to open this box as you could be electrocuted causing death.