Clearance from tree branches to aerial feeder

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102 Inspector

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N/E Indiana
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Given an aerial feeder crossing a property, how much clearance is required if the feeder assembly passes throughtree branches. The situation is pine trees in which the feeder from a farm load center paases through to serve the house. How much clearance is required so I can have then trim the tree branches back or is this silent in the code. Current edition is 2008 NEC. Thank you in advance.
 
jusme123 said:
read 225.26 ('08 NEC)
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I don't see how that answers the question. I didn't see anything in the original post about the trees being used to support the conductors.


I don't think this issue is addressed anywhere in the NEC. I would expect you would find something in the NESC or even the lineman's handbook, but neither would be something that you could cite as a violation.
 
The best I have come up with is 225.19(B) which requires clearances of 3 feet vertical, diagonal and horizontal from other nonbuilding or nonbridge structures. It might be a stretch to classify a tree as a structure, but that is what I will be referencing to achieve clearance. The homeowner is actually requesting enforcement due to continuing problems with the tree branches rubbing through the feeder cables. He wants the insurance company to either pay for underground or cut the trees down. I told him that is not my fight but I would make sure the code is applied as adopted. It appears that cutting a few branches might fit the bill on this one and that is all I can ask for. Not looking to fight his battles. Thanks for the responces.
 
102 Inspector said:
The best I have come up with is 225.19(B) which requires clearances of 3 feet vertical, diagonal and horizontal from other nonbuilding or nonbridge structures. It might be a stretch to classify a tree as a structure, but that is what I will be referencing to achieve clearance. The homeowner is actually requesting enforcement due to continuing problems with the tree branches rubbing through the feeder cables. He wants the insurance company to either pay for underground or cut the trees down. I told him that is not my fight but I would make sure the code is applied as adopted. It appears that cutting a few branches might fit the bill on this one and that is all I can ask for. Not looking to fight his battles. Thanks for the responces.
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Problem with the insurance is this is not a damage claim, it is routine maintenance. I guess if he has lines taken down enough times by tree limbs and has enough damage claims maybe they would eventually give in, or they may just raise his rates until he has the problem fixed, which IMO is justified.

I am not necessarily a big fan of how insurance companies try to weasel out of paying claims sometimes, but this is clearly not what insurance is for either.
 
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