Original Version

Rule 54.7-A

54.7-A.    Climbing Space

Climbing space shall be maintained from the ground level. The climbing space shall be maintained in the same position for a distance of not less than 4 feet vertically both above and below each conductor level through which it passes. To comply with this requirement the position of the climbing space shall not be changed through conductor levels which are less than 4 feet apart.  Where the vertical distance between consecutive conductor levels is 4 feet or more, and less than 8 feet the position of the climbing space through such consecutive levels may be shifted not more than one-quarter (90 degrees) of the distance around the pole. 

Where a single level of circuitry is installed at the top of a pole, the climbing space shall extend up to the level.  Where a conductor is installed at the top of a pole under the provisions of Rule 54.4-D8, the climbing space shall extend up to the level of such pole-top conductor but need not be provided through and above such level.

This rule is not applicable to non-climbable poles. See Rule 22.0-D for definition.

Climbing space measured from center line of pole shall be provided on one side or in one quadrant of all poles or structures with dimensions as specified in the following:

The climbing space required by this rule may be shifted laterally not more than 5 inches on the condition that the midpoint of the side of the climbing space coinciding with the center line of the pole shall not be more than 5 inches, from the center line of the pole.

The dimensions specified in the above rules may be reduced not more than 2% because of line angles and minor field variations.

(1)    Dimensions Where Line Arms Only Are Involved:

The climbing space through levels where line arms without related buck arms are present on poles or structures shall be on one side or face of the pole, with the center line of pole approximately midway on one side of the climbing space (see Figure 54-1), and shall have the following dimensions:

(2)    Dimensions Where Buck Arms Are Involved: The climbing space where line arms and related buck arms are involved on pole or structures shall be in a quadrant as defined below:

a)    Where the Vertical Clearance Between Conductors on Line and Buck Arms is Four Feet or More: The climbing space shall be provided on one side or face of the pole for each arm as specified in Rule 54.7-A1.

b)    Where the Vertical Clearance Between Conductors on Line and Buck Arms is Less Than Four Feet: The climbing space shall be provided through such levels and located in a quadrant and shall have at least the following dimensions (See Figure 54-2.)

For circuitry located at pole top, the climbing space specified in Rule 54.7-A1 may be applied to the lower arm and up to but not through the conductors on the top arm (see Figure 54-3.).

c)    For Combination Arm Construction with Line Arm and Line Buck Arm or Service Buck Arm:  (See Rule 54.8-E for additional requirements where service drops are involved.)

Where the vertical separation between conductor levels on line and buck arms, the climbing space shall be provided on one side or face of the pole for each level as specified in Rule 54.7

Where the vertical separation between conductor levels on buck arms is not less than 4 feet such separation shall not be less than 2 feet, and the climbing space shall not be less than prescribed in Rule 54.7-A2b and the dimensions shall be in accordance with the highest voltage adjacent to the climbing quadrant (See figure 54-4)

(3)    Allowable Climbing Space Obstructions:

Crossarms and their supporting members are allowed in climbing spaces.  Insulators and their attaching brackets which support line conductors may extend not more than one-half of their diameter into the climbing space.

Suitably protected vertical conductors attached to the surfaces of poles, and guys, (except those guys contacting metal pins or dead-end hardware as specified in Rule 52.7-D) are allowed in climbing spaces provided that not more than two guys (provided they are separated at the pole by a vertical distance of not more than 18 inches) and one vertical riser, run, or ground wire are installed in any 4-foot vertical section of climbing space. 

Bolts bonded to or used for the attachment of dead-end hardware of a circuit of any voltage in horizontal (wood crossarm) configuration may project into the climbing space provided they are covered with non-conducting material as specified in Rule 22.2-F.  If such bolts are bonded, a positive electrical contact shall be made.

The covering of bolts required by this rule shall not apply to:

a)    Bolts associated with circuits of 0 to 750 volts at any level on pole or structure.

b)    Bolts associated with circuits of more than 7500 volts when located at the top level of a pole.

Modifications of these requirements for rack construction are specified in Rule 54.9-F; for switches in Rule 58.5-D: and for climbing space without wood crossarms in Rule 54.11-G.

Strikeout and Underline Version

Rule 54.7-A

54.7-A.    Climbing Space

Climbing space shall be maintained from the ground level. The climbing space shall be maintained in the same position for a distance of not less than 4 feet vertically both above and below each conductor level through which it passes. To comply with this requirement the position of the climbing space shall not be changed through conductor levels which are less than 4 feet apart.  Where the vertical distance between consecutive conductor levels is 4 feet or more, and less than 8 feet the position of the climbing space through such consecutive levels may be shifted not more than one-quarter (90 degrees) of the distance around the pole. 

Where a single level of circuitry is installed at the top of a pole, the climbing space shall extend up to the level.  Where a conductor is installed at the top of a pole under the provisions of Rule 54.4-D8, the climbing space shall extend up to the level of such pole-top conductor but need not be provided through and above such level.

This rule is not applicable to non-climbable poles. See Rule 22.0-D for definition.

Climbing space measured from center line of pole shall be provided on one side or in one quadrant of all poles or structures with dimensions as specified in the following:

The climbing space required by this rule may be shifted laterally not more than 5 inches on the condition that the midpoint of the side of the climbing space coinciding with the center line of the pole shall not be more than 5 inches, from the center line of the pole.

The dimensions specified in the above rules may be reduced not more than 2% because of line angles and minor field variations.

(1)    Dimensions Where Line Arms Only Are Involved:

The climbing space through levels where line arms without related buck arms are present on poles or structures shall be on one side or face of the pole, with the center line of pole approximately midway on one side of the climbing space (see Figure 54-1 54-5), and shall have the following dimensions:

(2)    Dimensions Where Buck Arms Are Involved: The climbing space where line arms and related buck arms are involved on pole or structures shall be in a quadrant as defined below:

a)    Where the Vertical Clearance Between Conductors on Line and Buck Arms is Four Feet or More: The climbing space shall be provided on one side or face of the pole for each arm as specified in Rule 54.7-A1.

b)    Where the Vertical Clearance Between Conductors on Line and Buck Arms is Less Than Four Feet: The climbing space shall be provided through such levels and located in a quadrant and shall have at least the following dimensions (See Figure 54-2 54-6.)

For circuitry located at pole top, the climbing space specified in Rule 54.7-A1 may be applied to the lower arm and up to but not through the conductors on the top arm (see Figure 54-3 54-7.).

c)    For Combination Arm Construction with Line Arm and Line Buck Arm or Service Buck Arm:  (See Rule 54.8-E for additional requirements where service drops are involved.)

Where the vertical separation between conductor levels on line and buck arms, the climbing space shall be provided on one side or face of the pole for each level as specified in Rule 54.7

Where the vertical separation between conductor levels on buck arms is not less than 4 feet such separation shall not be less than 2 feet, and the climbing space shall not be less than prescribed in Rule 54.7-A2b and the dimensions shall be in accordance with the highest voltage adjacent to the climbing quadrant (See figure 54-4 54-8)

(3)    Allowable Climbing Space Obstructions:

Crossarms and their supporting members are allowed in climbing spaces.  Insulators and their attaching brackets which support line conductors may extend not more than one-half of their diameter into the climbing space.

Suitably protected vertical conductors attached to the surfaces of poles, and guys, (except those guys contacting metal pins or dead-end hardware as specified in Rule 52.7-D) are allowed in climbing spaces provided that not more than two guys (provided they are separated at the pole by a vertical distance of not more than 18 inches) and one vertical riser, run, or ground wire are installed in any 4-foot vertical section of climbing space. 

Bolts bonded to or used for the attachment of dead-end hardware of a circuit of any voltage in horizontal (wood crossarm) configuration may project into the climbing space provided they are covered with non-conducting material as specified in Rule 22.2-F.  If such bolts are bonded, a positive electrical contact shall be made.

The covering of bolts required by this rule shall not apply to:

a)    Bolts associated with circuits of 0 to 750 volts at any level on pole or structure.

b)    Bolts associated with circuits of more than 7500 volts when located at the top level of a pole.

Modifications of these requirements for rack construction are specified in Rule 54.9-F; for switches in Rule 58.5-D: and for climbing space without wood crossarms in Rule 54.11-G.

Final Version

Rule 54.7-A

54.7-A.    Climbing Space

Climbing space shall be maintained from the ground level. The climbing space shall be maintained in the same position for a distance of not less than 4 feet vertically both above and below each conductor level through which it passes. To comply with this requirement the position of the climbing space shall not be changed through conductor levels which are less than 4 feet apart.  Where the vertical distance between consecutive conductor levels is 4 feet or more, and less than 8 feet the position of the climbing space through such consecutive levels may be shifted not more than one-quarter (90 degrees) of the distance around the pole. 

Where a single level of circuitry is installed at the top of a pole, the climbing space shall extend up to the level.  Where a conductor is installed at the top of a pole under the provisions of Rule 54.4-D8, the climbing space shall extend up to the level of such pole-top conductor but need not be provided through and above such level.

This rule is not applicable to non-climbable poles. See Rule 22.0-D for definition.

Climbing space measured from center line of pole shall be provided on one side or in one quadrant of all poles or structures with dimensions as specified in the following:

The climbing space required by this rule may be shifted laterally not more than 5 inches on the condition that the midpoint of the side of the climbing space coinciding with the center line of the pole shall not be more than 5 inches, from the center line of the pole.

The dimensions specified in the above rules may be reduced not more than 2% because of line angles and minor field variations.

(1)    Dimensions Where Line Arms Only Are Involved:

The climbing space through levels where line arms without related buck arms are present on poles or structures shall be on one side or face of the pole, with the center line of pole approximately midway on one side of the climbing space (see Figure 54-5), and shall have the following dimensions:

(2)    Dimensions Where Buck Arms Are Involved: The climbing space where line arms and related buck arms are involved on pole or structures shall be in a quadrant as defined below:

a)    Where the Vertical Clearance Between Conductors on Line and Buck Arms is Four Feet or More: The climbing space shall be provided on one side or face of the pole for each arm as specified in Rule 54.7-A1.

b)    Where the Vertical Clearance Between Conductors on Line and Buck Arms is Less Than Four Feet: The climbing space shall be provided through such levels and located in a quadrant and shall have at least the following dimensions (See Figure 54-6.)

For circuitry located at pole top, the climbing space specified in Rule 54.7-A1 may be applied to the lower arm and up to but not through the conductors on the top arm (see Figure 54-7.).

c)    For Combination Arm Construction with Line Arm and Line Buck Arm or Service Buck Arm:  (See Rule 54.8-E for additional requirements where service drops are involved.)

Where the vertical separation between conductor levels on line and buck arms, the climbing space shall be provided on one side or face of the pole for each level as specified in Rule 54.7

Where the vertical separation between conductor levels on buck arms is not less than 4 feet such separation shall not be less than 2 feet, and the climbing space shall not be less than prescribed in Rule 54.7-A2b and the dimensions shall be in accordance with the highest voltage adjacent to the climbing quadrant (See figure 54-8)

(3)    Allowable Climbing Space Obstructions:

Crossarms and their supporting members are allowed in climbing spaces.  Insulators and their attaching brackets which support line conductors may extend not more than one-half of their diameter into the climbing space.

Suitably protected vertical conductors attached to the surfaces of poles, and guys, (except those guys contacting metal pins or dead-end hardware as specified in Rule 52.7-D) are allowed in climbing spaces provided that not more than two guys (provided they are separated at the pole by a vertical distance of not more than 18 inches) and one vertical riser, run, or ground wire are installed in any 4-foot vertical section of climbing space. 

Bolts bonded to or used for the attachment of dead-end hardware of a circuit of any voltage in horizontal (wood crossarm) configuration may project into the climbing space provided they are covered with non-conducting material as specified in Rule 22.2-F.  If such bolts are bonded, a positive electrical contact shall be made.

The covering of bolts required by this rule shall not apply to:

a)    Bolts associated with circuits of 0 to 750 volts at any level on pole or structure.

b)    Bolts associated with circuits of more than 7500 volts when located at the top level of a pole.

Modifications of these requirements for rack construction are specified in Rule 54.9-F; for switches in Rule 58.5-D: and for climbing space without wood crossarms in Rule 54.11-G.