Original General Order 95

Section V

Detailed Construction Requirements for Supply Lines

(Class H, L and T Circuits)

53.4    Bonding

Bonding is not required by these rules.  Bonding is not recommended for circuits of 7500 volts or less but it is recognized that under certain conditions it may be deemed necessary.

Where bonding is used the bond wire or strap shall have a conductivity of not less than No. 10 AWG copper wire, shall in no case be installed on the top surface of any crossarms, and the bonding shall comply with the following requirements:

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.

B.    Circuits of 7500 Volts or Less

The bonding of circuits of 7500 volts or less shall comply with the following:

Bond wires on wood poles and wood crossarms shall be fully covered by a suitable protective covering;

Bond wires shall be not less than 1 ½ inches from metal braces and all other hardware except the metal pins and dead ends which are bonded; and

Bond wires of separate circuits shall be separated on crossarm and poles by not less than 3 inches.