Original General Order 95

Section V

Detailed Construction Requirements for Supply Lines

(Class H, L and T Circuits)

58.5    Line Switches and Disconnects

A.    Clearance Between Energized Parts

Unenclosed switches supported on poles or pole structures shall be arranged with clearances not less than as specified in Table 2, Case 15 between the center lines of the separate phase units.

Unenclosed switches supported on poles or pole structures shall be arranged with clearances not less than as specified in Table 2, Case 17 between exposed parts which are energized from the same circuit from different phases or polarities.

B.    Clearance Between Unenergized Parts and Unprotected Conductors

Metal switch cases and normally Unenergized metal parts in contact therewith shall clear all unprotected conductors, except the connecting leads, by distances as specified in Rule 58.3-B3 for Unenergized metal parts of transformers from unprotected conductors.

C.    Lead Wires

Lead wires shall be suitably insulated from metal or wood cases of cutouts and switches at point of entrance thereto.

All unprotected lead wires including miscellaneous wiring shall clear brace, bolts and other line hardware a distance of not less than 1 ½ inches.

Where necessary at points of entrance to cutouts and switches, lead wires of 0-5000 volts may be less than 3 inches from the surface of crossarms (Table 1, Case 9, Column C, D, and E) but shall be not less than 1 inch from such surfaces.

D.    Climbing and Working Space

Switches and cutouts shall be so located that when in either open or closed position they are not less than 15 or 18 inches from centerline of pole as required by Table 1, Case 8, and no part of such equipment shall be in the climbing space.  Such apparatus is permitted to be wholly or in part within working spaces.

E.    Indicating Position

All enclosed switched shall indicate clearly whether they are in the open or closed position.

F.    Grounding (see Rule 52.7-F)

G.    Operating Mechanism

Grounded metal operating rods which pass through conductor levels shall be protected with a suitable insulating covering for a distance of 8 feet vertically or 6 feet horizontally from communication conductors (including cables) and from unprotected supply conductors.  As an alternative to this provision, metal rods shall be underground and shall have installed in them, at a point as near as possible to the switch, a suitable insulating link or section.  All rods shall be securely held in position by staples or straps or other suitable means to afford clearances as specified in Table 2, Case 18 from conductors of circuits below the switch level.

All cables, ropes and other flexible means of operating switches shall have insulators installed in them at a point as close as possible to the switch and shall pass through guides to insure their separation from conductors through which they pass.

Where line switches are operated from the ground level by means of all metal control mechanisms without suitable insulating links, an insulated platform shall be provided unless such operating mechanism is effectively grounded.