Change List for this Rule

 

Original Version

Rule 54.6-G

 

54.6-G.    Clearance From Hardware on Wood Poles or Structures

 

On wood pole or structures, all ground wires, conductor sheaths (metallic nonmetallic braids, tapes, or coverings), metal conduit of risers or runs, and hardware used for attaching such risers or runs to structures, shall be not less than 1 ½ inches from guy shims, bolts, braces, pole steps, and other hardware not associated with the risers or runs.  In cases where it is not practicable to obtain at least 1 ½ inches of air-gap and creepage distance, suitable insulating sheet fiber or fiber conduit or other suitable means shall be used to provide a creepage distance of not less than 1 ½ inches.

 

Strikeout and Underline Version

Rule 54.6-G

 

54.6-G.    Clearance From Hardware on Wood Poles or Structures Termination of Risers and Runs Covered with Suitable Protective Covering

On wood pole or structures, all ground wires, conductor sheaths (metallic nonmetallic braids, tapes, or coverings), metal conduit of risers or runs, and hardware used for attaching such risers or runs to structures, shall be not less than 1 ½ inches from guy shims, bolts, braces, pole steps, and other hardware not associated with the risers or runs.  In cases where it is not practicable to obtain at least 1 ½ inches of air-gap and creepage distance, suitable insulating sheet fiber or fiber conduit or other suitable means shall be used to provide a creepage distance of not less than 1 ½ inches.

For termination of risers and runs encased in metal conduit or other materials not meeting the minimum insulating efficiency as specified in Rule 22.2–B (suitable protective covering) and which extend within 4 feet of any supply conductor level see Rule 54.6–F .

Where risers and runs are covered or encased with suitable protective covering (Rule 22.2 ) the following rules shall apply.

 

(1)    Grounded Portions of Termination Apparatus (Terminals, Potheads, Stress Cones, etc.): Grounded portions of the termination apparatus of risers or runs shall not extend above the level of line conductors to which their terminal leads are connected except:

 

a)    where line conductors are deadended on the same crossarm or bracket that the termination apparatus is attached, and no line conductors supported on that crossarm or bracket extend past the grounded portion of the termination apparatus, and no buck arm construction is involved; or

 

b)    where line conductors are installed in vertical or triangular configuration and the grounded portions of the termination apparatus are mounted on the same crossarms, or other supports, which support the line conductors to which the terminal leads are connected.

 

(2)    Climbing Space Obstructions: Termination apparatus (terminals, potheads, stress cones, etc.) of risers or runs are not allowed in the climbing space.

 

(3)    Clearance from Centerline of Pole: For clearance of energized portions of terminals (see Fig. 54–4 A & B) and their unprotected leads from centerline of pole, see Table 1, Case 8 .

 

(4)     Vertical and Radial Clearance from Conductors below: All exposed grounded surfaces of termination apparatus (terminals, potheads, stress cones, etc.), cables or conduit bends, or suitably insulated cable surfaces of risers and runs, shall be at least 18 inches vertically and 18 inches radially from the next unprotected conductor level below (see Fig. 54–4 A & B).

 

(5)     Exposed Suitably Insulated or Grounded Cable: Exposed suitably insulated or grounded portions of cable located at the upper end of vertical runs or risers  (see Fig. 54–4 A & B) supported on climbable poles or structures are not required to be covered by a suitable protective covering provided that no portion of their exposed surfaces are within the climbing space.

 

(6)     Vertical Clearance from Lead Wires and Drip Loops to Other Conductors: The vertical clearances between the lowest point of lead wires (see unprotected conductor Fig. 54–4 A & B) of a riser or run (vertical or lateral) and the next conductor level below shall conform to the requirements specified in Rule 54.4–C6 . For the vertical clearances between supply drip loops and a communication conductor level below see Rule 92.1–F3 .

The suitably insulated cables at the upper end of vertical runs and risers can be installed with less than the radial clearances between conductors specified in Table 2, Cases 16 and 17 , and with less than the centerline and surface of pole clearances specified in Table 1, Cases 8 and 9 respectively.

 

Final Version

Rule 54.6-G

 

54.6-G.    Termination of Risers and Runs Covered with Suitable Protective Covering

For termination of risers and runs encased in metal conduit or other materials not meeting the minimum insulating efficiency as specified in Rule 22.2–B (suitable protective covering) and which extend within 4 feet of any supply conductor level see Rule 54.6–F .

Where risers and runs are covered or encased with suitable protective covering (Rule 22.2 ) the following rules shall apply.

 

(1)    Grounded Portions of Termination Apparatus (Terminals, Potheads, Stress Cones, etc.): Grounded portions of the termination apparatus of risers or runs shall not extend above the level of line conductors to which their terminal leads are connected except:

 

a)    where line conductors are deadended on the same crossarm or bracket that the termination apparatus is attached, and no line conductors supported on that crossarm or bracket extend past the grounded portion of the termination apparatus, and no buck arm construction is involved; or

 

b)    where line conductors are installed in vertical or triangular configuration and the grounded portions of the termination apparatus are mounted on the same crossarms, or other supports, which support the line conductors to which the terminal leads are connected.

 

(2)    Climbing Space Obstructions: Termination apparatus (terminals, potheads, stress cones, etc.) of risers or runs are not allowed in the climbing space.

 

(3)    Clearance from Centerline of Pole: For clearance of energized portions of terminals (See Fig. 54-4 A & B) and their unprotected leads from centerline of pole, see Table 1, Case 8.

 

(4)    Vertical and Radial Clearance from Conductors below: All exposed grounded surfaces of termination apparatus (terminals, potheads, stress cones, etc.), cables or conduit bends, or suitably insulated cable surfaces of risers and runs, shall be at least 18 inches vertically and 18 inches radially from the next unprotected conductor level below (See Fig. 54-4 A & B).

 

(5)    Exposed Suitably Insulated or Grounded Cable: Exposed suitably insulated or grounded portions of cable located at the upper end of vertical runs or risers  (See Fig. 54-4 A & B) supported on climbable poles or structures are not required to be covered by a suitable protective covering provided that no portion of their exposed surfaces are within the climbing space.

 

(6)    Vertical Clearance from Lead Wires and Drip Loops to Other Conductors: The vertical clearances between the lowest point of lead wires (see unprotected conductor Fig. 54-4 A & B) of a riser or run (vertical or lateral) and the next conductor level below shall conform to the requirements specified in Rule 54.4-C6 . For the vertical clearances between supply drip loops and a communication conductor level below seeRule 92.1–F3.

The suitably insulated cables at the upper end of vertical runs and risers can be installed with less than the radial clearances between conductors specified in Table 2, Cases 16 and 17 , and with less than the centerline and surface of pole clearances specified inTable 1, Case 8 and 9 respectively.