What we’re doing about it

Regular surveillance

Handwell replacement program

Toronto Hydro committed additional resources to our contact voltage program, including a team of mobile voltage testing vehicles and service crews.
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology to identify energized electrical equipment, a truck with a voltage tracker sweeps the city regularly in search of contact voltage. If voltage is found, a Toronto Hydro crew is dispatched to the location.

We have approximately 13,000 handwells. Handwells are underground service access points located in the boulevard or sidewalk that contain wiring to supply power to infrastructure such as streetlighting, traffic lights, signs, etc. As part of our Contact Voltage Remediation Program, we replaced the handwells that have metal lids and frames (that could become energized under certain conditions) with a non-conductive polymer concrete model.

Important to know

Learn more

What happens when contact voltage is detected?
Contact voltage conditions that are identified are de-energized or
repaired immediately, regardless of who owns the asset. It has been
our experience, and the experience of many other utilities, that
contact voltage conditions also exists on assets that are privately-owned.

Can you predict where or when contact voltage will occur?
Contact voltage is intermittent and could occur at any time.

How can I report contact voltage?
Members of the public should phone the designated hotline at
416.542.8000 (press 1) to report contact voltage. Toronto Hydro crews will be dispatched immediately.

For more information, please read the Contact Voltage fact sheet

Pet owners can find more information about contact voltage on the
Pet Safety page.