General Order 95

Section IX

Joint Poles or Poles Jointly Used

92.1    Vertical Clearances

On jointly used poles the vertical clearances specified in Table 2, Case 8, Columns D and E; Case 9, Columns C, D, E and F; Case 10, Columns C and D; and Case 11, Column D , are modified by the following requirements. These requirements are applicable to the clearances between communication and supply conductors and to clearances between supply conductors of different ownerships.

A.    Between Low–voltage Rack Conductors and Other Conductors

On jointly used poles, the following minimum vertical clearances shall apply between 0 - 750 volt supply conductors in rack construction and other conductors (see Appendix G, Figure 9 ):

Racks above:

Note:    Revised March 29, 1966 by Decision No. 70489 and August 9, 1966 by Decision No. 71094.

B.    Between Cables and Messengers and Other Conductors

Where any cable or messenger (supply or communication) is less than 15 inches from center line of pole or is attached directly to the surface of jointly used poles, the following minimum vertical clearances shall apply between such cable and other conductors or cables (see Appendix G, Figure 9 ):

Cables or messengers above:

(a)    See Rule 84.6–C for exception applicable to suitably insulated lateral runs.

(b)    This is not intended to apply between communication cables or messengers and other communication conductors.

(c)    This is not intended to prohibit the attachment of an unguarded cable or messenger 6 feet or more below supply circuits of more than 750 volts.

Note:    Revised March 9, 1988 by Resolution E–3076.

C.    Communication Open Wire Conductors

Open wire Class C communication conductors may be attached by means of hooks, knobs or brackets to one side of poles jointly used with supply conductors provided all of the clearances in Rule 92.1–B are applied, and any guard arm required is installed above the top communication conductor in accordance with the provisions of Rule 87.7–B . Excepted from the provisions of this Rule 92.1–C is the single communication circuit treated in Rule 92.1–D .

D.    Circuits Serving Same Party

Supply conductors of 0 - 750 volts and the conductors of one paired (parallel, duplex or twisted) or open–wire communication circuit may be supported on jointly used poles on private property with a clearance of not less than 5 feet between the conductors of the two classifications and without guard arm, provided such circuits are used for service to one (the same) party only and where open–wire communication conductors are used they shall be placed on one side of pole only.

E.    Communication Service Drop Attachments

Guard arms are not required above communication service drops from cabled lines where such drops are installed in accordance with the provisions of Rule 84.8–B2b .

F.    Between Conductors, Cables, Messengers and Miscellaneous Equipment

(1)    Unenergized Parts of Energized Equipment: Communication conductors or 0 - 750 volt supply conductors, of different ownership, which are either supported 15 inches or more from center line of pole, or are attached to the surface of a pole and provided with a guard arm, shall be 48 inches or more below the unenergized parts, cases or enclosures of the energized apparatus of the other classification.

Note:    Revised November 6, 1992 by Resolution SU–15.

(2)    Cable Terminals or Metal Boxes: On jointly used poles metal communication cable terminals, metal boxes or similar equipment which are less than 8 inches from centerline of pole or are attached to surface of pole shall be placed not less than 6 feet vertically below or 3 feet above the level of the nearest unprotected supply conductor.
  
All parts of such metal terminals, boxes or similar equipment which are 8 inches or more from center line of pole shall have vertical clearances from open wire conductors not less than the clearance specified in Table 2, Col. C, Cases 8 to 13 inclusive.

EXCEPTION:    The minimum vertical distance between all parts of such metal terminals, boxes or similar equipment which are 8 inches or more from the center line of pole and are supported by cable and/or messenger alone can be reduced to not less than 1 inch by mutual agreement between the affected owners (see Rule 38, Table 2, Case 8, Column C)

For clearance between street light drop wires and cables, other conductors, and metal boxes see Rules 58.5-B3 and 92.1-F5.

For clearances between Antennas and supplyor communication lines see Rule 38, Table 2, Case 21 and Rule 94.4.

Note:    Revised June 29, 2009 by .Decision No. 0810017

(3)    Drip Loops: The lowest point of the drip loop of the terminal or end of a vertical run or riser of supply conductors of more than 750 volts shall be not less than 48 inches above the nearest communication conductor level below the drip loop. Where supply conductors are of more than 7,500 volts, this clearance shall be not less than 60 inches.

The lowest point of the drip loop of supply conductors of 750 volts or less shall be not less than 36 inches above the nearest communication conductor level below the drip loop except that the drip loop of such supply conductors may be less than 36 inches but not less than 12 inches above the level of police or fire alarm conductors carried as specified in Rule 92.2 .

(4)    Transformers or Regulators: Transformers or regulators of supply systems shall normally be located above communication equipment. Where it is necessary to locate transformers or regulators below communication equipment they shall be placed at least 6 feet vertically below and all energized parts shall be protected and guarded so as to afford the least possibility of contact.

Where transformers or regulators are installed on platform having continuous flooring which extends not less than 1 foot horizontally outside of the vertical plane of all transformers or regulator lead and bus wires on the same pole or structure, cables or other conductors may be installed at a minimum vertical distance of 12 inches below the transformer or regulator cases provided such cables or conductors do not extend laterally beyond the platform (see Figure 92–1 ).

(5)    Street Lighting Equipment: All parts of street light drop wires, street lamps, and their supporting fixtures (including rods, braces and guys) shall be not less than 1 foot above or 2 feet below the level of messengers or conductors supported by messengers. These vertical clearance requirements shall not apply to those parts of such street lighting equipment which are 2 feet or more horizontally from the vertical plane of messengers, conductors supported by messengers, and metal boxes.

All parts of street light drop wires, street lamps, and their supporting fixtures (including rods, braces and guys) shall be not less than 1 foot radially from all communication conductors not supported on messengers.

(6)    Between Grounded Metal Boxes, hardware and equipment associated with supply lines and communication cables and messengers.

See Rules 54.4–G , 87.4–H and Figure 54–4 .

Note:    Added October 9, 1996 by Resolution SU–40.