Are trees more likely to cause outages on single-phase lines compared to 3-phase lines?

Trees are generally not more likely to cause outages on single-phase lines compared to three-phase lines. In fact, three-phase lines are typically designed to handle the increased load and have a different configuration that can better mitigate outages caused by tree interference. The presence of additional phases allows for a more balanced distribution of electricity, which can sometimes help to prevent complete outages in the event of a tree-related issue.

In single-phase systems, a tree branch contacting the line can lead to an immediate outage for the entire circuit because there is only one phase carrying power. However, with three-phase systems, if one phase is interrupted due to tree contact, the remaining phases may continue to operate normally, reducing the likelihood of a widespread outage.

Additionally, the utility infrastructure often employs various strategies to minimize the impact of tree interference on all types of lines, including regular pruning and maintenance. This is true in both urban and rural settings, as utilities prioritize safety and reliability for customers. Therefore, the answer is that it is false to say that trees are more likely to cause outages on single-phase lines compared to three-phase lines.