Original Version

Rule 54.6-B

54.6-B.    Ground Wires

Ground wires shall have a conductivity and mechanical strength at least equal to that of No. 8 AWG medium–hard–drawn copper wire; they shall not be installed on the top surfaces of crossarms; and they shall have clearances of not less than 1.5 inches from hardware in accordance with the provisions of Rules 52.7–B and 52.7–C.

Ground wires attached to or run on the face or back of wood crossarms or on the surface of wood poles and structures shall be covered throughout their length by a suitable protective covering (see Rule 22.2),  excepting that ground wires of 0 - 750 volt circuits or equipment are not required to be covered where installed on crossarms supporting 0 - 750 volt conductors.

Note:    Revised October 9, 1996 by Resolution SU-40.

Ground wires of common neutral systems are specially required to comply with the provisions of Rules 59.3–C and 59.4 in addition to the provisions of this Rule 54.6–B.

Ground wires installed on the surface of service and meter poles (see Rule 22.0–E for definition) which terminate in effectively grounded meter or equipment enclosures not more than eight feet above ground are not required to be covered by a suitable protective covering (see Rule 22.2 for definition), provided they are encased in rigid steel conduit or No. 8 AWG minimum armored copper ground wire is used.

Strikeout and Underline Version

Rule 54.6-B

54.6-B.    Ground Wires

Ground wires shall have a conductivity and mechanical strength at least equal to that of No. 8 AWG medium–hard–drawn copper wire; they shall not be installed on the top surfaces of crossarms; and they shall have clearances of not less than 1.5 inches from hardware in accordance with the provisions of Rules 52.7–B and 52.7–C.

That portion of the gGround wires attached to or run on the face or back of wood crossarms or on the surface of wood poles and structures shall be covered throughout their length by a suitable protective covering (see Rule 22.2).,

EXCEPTION:    excepting that gGround wires of 0 - 750 volt circuits or equipment are not required to be covered where installed on crossarms supporting 0 - 750 volt conductors.

Minor separation, warping, and/or cracking of the protective covering is allowed, provided the ground wire is not exposed.

Note:    Revised October 9, 1996 by Resolution SU-40.

Ground wires of common neutral systems are specially required to comply with the provisions of Rules 59.3–C and 59.4 in addition to the provisions of this Rule 54.6–B.

Ground wires installed on the surface of service and meter poles (see Rule 22.0–E for definition) which terminate in effectively grounded meter or equipment enclosures not more than eight feet above ground are not required to be covered by a suitable protective covering (see Rule 22.2 for definition), provided they are encased in rigid steel conduit or No. 8 AWG minimum armored copper ground wire is used.

Final Version

Rule 54.6-B

54.6-B.    Ground Wires

Ground wires shall have a conductivity and mechanical strength at least equal to that of No. 8 AWG medium–hard–drawn copper wire; they shall not be installed on the top surfaces of crossarms; and they shall have clearances of not less than 1.5 inches from hardware in accordance with the provisions of Rules 52.7-B and 52.7-C.

That portion of the ground wires attached on the face or back of wood crossarms or on the surface of wood poles and structures shall be covered by a suitable protective covering (see Rule 22.2)

EXCEPTION:    Ground wires of 0 - 750 volt circuits or equipment are not required to be covered where installed on crossarms supporting 0 - 750 volt conductors.

Minor separation, warping, and/or cracking of the protective covering is allowed, provided the ground wire is not exposed.

Ground wires of common neutral systems are specially required to comply with the provisions of Rules 59.3-C and 59.4 in addition to the provisions of this Rule 54.6-B.

Ground wires installed on the surface of service and meter poles (see Rule 22.0-E for definition) which terminate in effectively grounded meter or equipment enclosures not more than eight feet above ground are not required to be covered by a suitable protective covering (See Rule 22.2 for definition), provided they are encased in rigid steel conduit or No. 8 AWG minimum armored copper ground wire is used.