In Steve T's original situation above, shouldn't the fuses on the transformer went before the service drop conductors became orange hot? If not, then what the heck are they protecting?? [Linked Image]

Doug and Randy, I have seen the Fire Department cut service drop conductors at the pole. They used a fiberglass pole with a cutter head on it like you would use to trim a tree. It looked like the rope was nylon. [Linked Image]