[HiTech RedNeck]

Usually overhead service to a house has both hots insulated and they are wrapped around a bare ground for physical support and to complete the circuit for the center tap to the pole pig. It would take a serious impact, more than a casual brush, to break this cable or even strip the insulation.

If he touched a 5 kV local feed thinking it was telephone wires, that would be another story.

[TSgt]

Usually overhead service to a house has both hots insulated and they are wrapped around a bare ground for physical support and to complete the circuit for the center tap to the pole pig. It would take a serious impact, more than a casual brush, to break this cable or even strip the insulation.

I accidentally grabbed a hold of my service entrance once while putting up Christmas lights after losing my balance. Thankfully, as you mentioned, it is insulated. I no longer put up Christmas lights.