53.4-A.    Circuits of More Than 7500 Volts

1)    At Top of Pole:

a)    Single Circuit: The bond wire of a single circuit in horizontal, triangular or vertical configuration at the top circuit position of the pole may be installed on the face, back or under side of wood crossarms and on the surface of pole without a protective covering.  Such bond wire on the surface of a wood pole shall be covered by a suitable protective covering (see Rule 22.2) where within 3 feet vertically of the next conductor level below the top circuit.  Crossarm braces may be connected to such bond wire only where positive electrical contact is made and the brace is not less than 3 feet vertically above the next conductor level below the top circuit.

b)    More than one Circuit: The bonding of any circuit where more than one circuit is installed at the top position of pole shall be in accordance with the provision of Rule 53.4-A3 below.

2)    Below Top of Pole: Bond wires of any circuit below the top circuit position of the pole shall be covered by a suitable protective covering (see Rule 22.2) except where such bond wires are installed on the under side of crossarms or where bonds (wires or straps) are installed vertically between crossarms at a distance of not less than 30 inches from center line of pole.  Metal braces shall clear such bond wires by not less than 1 ½ inches (see Rules 52.7-B1 and 52.7-C) and in order to clear braces, an uncovered bond wire carried on the under side of crossarm may be placed on the face or back of a limited portion of crossarms and need not be covered for this limited distance of its run.

3)    Conductors of More Than One Circuit at Same Level:  Where conductors of more than one circuit are at the same level, bond wires shall be covered by a suitable protective covering (see Rule 22.2) except where such bond wires are installed on the under side of crossarms or where bonds (wires or straps) are installed vertically between crossarms at a distance of not less than 30 inches from center line of pole.  Metal braces shall clear such bond wires by not less than 1 ½ inches (see rules 52.7-B1 and 52.7-C) and in order to clear braces, an uncovered bond wire carried on the under side of crossarms may be placed on the face or back of a limited portion of crossarms and need not be covered for this limited distance of its run

a)    Separately Bonded Circuits: Where conductors of more than one circuit are at the same level and separately bonded, such bond wires shall be separated on crossarm and on surface of pole by not less than 6 inches.  Neither circuit shall be worked on while de-energized unless the de-energized conductors are shorted and securely grounded and the bond wire of the de-energized circuit is connected to the de-energized and grounded conductors on the pole where work is done.

b)    Commonly Bonded Circuits: Where conductors of more than one circuit are at the same level and a common bonding system is used, neither circuit shall be worked on de-energized unless the de-energized conductors are shorted and securely grounded and connected to the bonding system on the poles where work is done.

53.4-A.    Circuits of More Than 7500 Volts

1)    At Top of Pole:

a)    Single Circuit: The bond wire of a single circuit in horizontal, triangular or vertical configuration at the top circuit position of the pole may be installed on the face, back or under side of wood crossarms and on the surface of pole without a protective covering.  Such bond wire on the surface of a wood pole shall be covered by a suitable protective covering (see Rule 22.2) where within 3 feet vertically of the next conductor level below the top circuit.  Crossarm braces may be connected to such bond wire only where positive electrical contact is made and the brace is not less than 3 feet vertically above the next conductor level below the top circuit.

b)    More than one Circuit: The bonding of any circuit where more than one circuit is installed at the top position of pole shall be in accordance with the provision of Rule 53.4-A3 below.

2)    Below Top of Pole: Bond wires of any circuit below the top circuit position of the pole shall be covered by a suitable protective covering (see Rule 22.2) except where such bond wires are installed on the under side of crossarms or where bonds (wires or straps) are installed vertically between crossarms at a different levels or between and approximately perpendicular to the individual arms of a double crossarm at a distance of not less than 30 inches from center line of pole. distance of not less than 30 inches from center line of pole.  Metal braces shall clear such bond wires by not less than 1 ½ inches (see Rules 52.7-B1 and 52.7-C) and in order to clear braces, an uncovered bond wire carried on the under side of crossarm may be placed on the face or back of a limited portion of crossarms and need not be covered for this limited distance of its run.

3)    Where Conductors of More Than One Circuit at Same Level:  Where conductors of more than one circuit are at the same level, bond wires shall be covered by a suitable protective covering (see Rule 22.2) except where such bond wires are installed on the under side of crossarms or where bonds (wires or straps) are installed vertically between crossarms at a distance of not less than 30 inches from center line of pole.  Metal braces shall clear such bond wires by not less than 1 ½ inches (see rules 52.7-B1 and 52.7-C) and in order to clear braces, an uncovered bond wire carried on the under side of crossarms may be placed on the face or back of a limited portion of crossarms and need not be covered for this limited distance of its run or between and approximately perpendicular to the individual arms of a double crossarm at a distance of not less than 30 inches from center line of pole.

a)    Separately Bonded Circuits: Where conductors of more than one circuit are at the same level and separately bonded, such bond wires shall be separated on crossarm and on surface of pole by not less than 6 inches.  Neither circuit shall be worked on while de-energized unless the de-energized conductors are shorted and securely grounded and the bond wire of the de-energized circuit is connected to the de-energized and grounded conductors on the pole where work is done.

Where both circuits are de-energized, shorted and all conductors securely grounded, then bond wires of either circuit need not be connected to the de-energized and grounded conductors, provided that before work commences the bond wires are tested for and drained of any potential differences between themselves and the de-energized and securely grounded conductors.

b)    Commonly Bonded Circuits: Where conductors of more than one circuit are at the same level and a common bonding system is used, neither circuit shall be worked on de-energized unless the de-energized conductors are shorted and securely grounded and connected to the bonding system on the poles where work is done.

Final Version
Rule 53.4-A

53.4-A.    Circuits of More Than 7500 Volts

1)    At Top of Pole:

a)    Single Circuit: The bond wire of a single circuit in horizontal, triangular or vertical configuration at the top circuit position of the pole may be installed on the face, back or under side of wood crossarms and on the surface of pole without a protective covering.  Such bond wire on the surface of a wood pole shall be covered by a suitable protective covering (see Rule 22.2) where within 3 feet vertically of the next conductor level below the top circuit.  Crossarm braces may be connected to such bond wire only where positive electrical contact is made and the brace is not less than 3 feet vertically above the next conductor level below the top circuit.

b)    More than one Circuit: The bonding of any circuit where more than one circuit is installed at the top position of pole shall be in accordance with the provision of Rule 53.4-A3 below.

2)    Below Top of Pole: Bond wires of any circuit below the top circuit position of the pole shall be covered by a suitable protective covering (see Rule 22.2) except where such bond wires are installed on the under side of crossarms or where bonds (wires or straps) are installed vertically between crossarms at a different levels or between and approximately perpendicular to the individual arms of a double crossarm at a distance of not less than 30 inches from center line of pole.

3)    Where Conductors of More Than One Circuit at Same Level:  Where conductors of more than one circuit are at the same level, bond wires shall be covered by a suitable protective covering (see Rule 22.2) except where such bond wires are installed on the under side of crossarms or where bonds (wires or straps) are installed vertically between crossarms or between and approximately perpendicular to the individual arms of a double crossarm at a distance of not less than 30 inches from center line of pole.

a)    Separately Bonded Circuits: Where conductors of more than one circuit are at the same level and separately bonded, such bond wires shall be separated on crossarm and on surface of pole by not less than 6 inches.  Neither circuit shall be worked on while de-energized unless the de-energized conductors are shorted and securely grounded and the bond wire of the de-energized circuit is connected to the de-energized and grounded conductors on the pole where work is done.

Where both circuits are de-energized, shorted and all conductors securely grounded, then bond wires of either circuit need not be connected to the de-energized and grounded conductors, provided that before work commences the bond wires are tested for and drained of any potential differences between themselves and the de-energized and securely grounded conductors.

b)    Commonly Bonded Circuits: Where conductors of more than one circuit are at the same level and a common bonding system is used, neither circuit shall be worked on de-energized unless the de-energized conductors are shorted and securely grounded and connected to the bonding system on the poles where work is done.