Adjustable point of attachment for overhead wiring

S

Skitch

Member
Location
Arkansas
Occupation
Electrician
I have a customer that needs to be able to periodically detach the overhead wiring from the support pole between their shore power supply and their boat dock. It would be very inconvenient from them to hire someone to come out with a bucket truck to detach the line every time the water level rose to the point that the support pole would be under water. They would like to be able to raise and lower the point of attachment for the overhead line so they can detach it from the pole whenever the water level rises (and reattach and raise the line whenever the water level drops). Is there any code section stating that the point of attachment needs to be permanently attached (immovable)? Or can the point of attachment be connected to a winch and pulley system to allow it to be raised and lowered (like a flag on a flagpole)?
 
It sounds like they want to have the ability to lower the POA so that they can remove the drop completely when the water level is too high. IMO no one outside of a lineman should be touching the drop when it is energized.
 
Skitch said:
I have a customer that needs to be able to periodically detach the overhead wiring from the support pole between their shore power supply and their boat dock. It would be very inconvenient from them to hire someone to come out with a bucket truck to detach the line every time the water level rose to the point that the support pole would be under water. They would like to be able to raise and lower the point of attachment for the overhead line so they can detach it from the pole whenever the water level rises (and reattach and raise the line whenever the water level drops). Is there any code section stating that the point of attachment needs to be permanently attached (immovable)? Or can the point of attachment be connected to a winch and pulley system to allow it to be raised and lowered (like a flag on a flagpole
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I’m assuming this wiring is energized while the height jockeying would be taking place.
 
Do you have a photo?

Systems exist like this but they are sold as an assembly and probably wouldn't suit your application. Or maybe I am misunderstanding what you want to raise or lower.

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Thank you for all the responses.

To clarify, the POA (which is about 20' above grade) would need to be lowered, detached from the support pole, and the cable would then be rolled up on a spool mounted on the boat dock. When the lake level rises, the boat dock is moved past the support pole (closer to the shoreline) and the support pole ends up out in the lake with only about 10' of the support pole above the waterline. This would put the overhead line below the NEC clearance requirements and would also be a hazard to boat traffic.

The overhead line is protected by a disconnect on shore and can be de-energized prior to detachment from the support pole.

I already have some ideas on how to accomplish this project. I'm just not sure if there is anything in the NEC that would prohibit a moveable/detachable POA.
 
Skitch said:
To clarify, the POA (which is about 20' above grade) would need to be lowered, detached from the support pole, and the cable would then be rolled up on a spool mounted on the boat dock. When the lake level rises, the boat dock is moved past the support pole (closer to the shoreline) and the support pole ends up out in the lake with only about 10' of the support pole above the waterline.
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Doesn't clarify anything for me. I'm assuming that when the water level rises, they pull the dock in closer to maintain the distance to the shoreline? I don't understand where the pole is and the how the cable is run from the shore to the pole and from the pole to the dock.

We have had situations like this before here with underwater cable being the answer.

-Hal
 
hbiss said:
Doesn't clarify anything for me. I'm assuming that when the water level rises, they pull the dock in closer to maintain the distance to the shoreline? I don't understand where the pole is and the how the cable is run from the shore to the pole and from the pole to the dock.

We have had situations like this before here with underwater cable being the answer.

-Hal
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Seems either the underwater cable or possibly an even taller pole so it still has acceptable clearance when water is high are the two best options.
 
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