I agree. But my new house was built with the main breaker OUTSIDE, and I have to remove 4 screws to open the cover to access it. The lates National Electric Code is ridiculous with this requirement. So for me to shut off the main, I have to go outside, presumably in a storm or cold weather, remove 4 screws, take the cover door off, and trip the main breaker. All so that I can run my house on a backup generator or solar. That, my friends, is insane.
Actually, for my backup source, I'm getting a manual transfer switch. Although I may hold off and look into solar. Just have no plans to pay big $$$ for something to be installed by a greedy solar contractor.
That sucks. I’m guessing that is for the fire department’s convenience.
Also, for the past 20 or more years non contact voltage testers have been around and usually in my shirt pocket if I'm working on wiring. I can't imagine a lineman being so reckless as to grab a conductor he doesn't know is live or not without a 10 second check.