Missing Power pole grounds good ? or bad ?

[Phoneworks]

Have a client who has a business located in steel structure buildings fed by phase power drops attached to buildings , recently [past 12 mos] has experienced numerous lightning damages , discovered that all of the power utility poles have had the copper pole grounds vandalized for blocks in all directions , power company contacted and surveyed stated that the pole grounds dont do anything and refuse to repair them . Additionally I test the ground bar feeds and bonds and find 3-30 v ac power on the cable sheath from the telco provider also terminating on the same non grounded power poles , contacted them they state that this is normal .

I was taught to report all missing pole grounds and test for foriegn current on cable , housings , etc . Surely it cant be normal , what is your input ?

 

[TOOL_5150]

Sounds like a foolish POCO to me.

~Matt

 

[mivey]

Sounds like a foolish POCO to me.

~Matt

Sounds foolish to me as well. They are required by code to have at least 4 per mile and one at each transformer (NESC 096C)

add: not including the grounds at individual services

 

[mxslick]

Sounds like a criminally negligent POCO to me...

Missing pole grounds can have the effects described in the OP, as well as exposing the public to risk of severe shock as a wood pole, with all the dirt and treatment chemicals WILL be conductive enough to leak to ground and possibly start a fire.

Tell the POCO they have a choice: fix their grounds or you will file a complaint with the Public Utilities Commission for lack of proper maintenance of their equipment. That and possible legal remedies to recover the costs of all the damaged customer property.

 

[Phoneworks]

Sounds foolish to me as well. They are required by code to have at least 4 per mile and one at each transformer (NESC 096C)

add: not including the grounds at individual services

My own driveby indicated there were no visible pole grounds for 1/2 mile in 1 direction from the cust site and 2 miles in the opposite direction including the transformer poles , this was true on all streets for for 3 blocks in all directions , last summer doppler radar detected in our county 20,000 strikes per hour in one storm alone . Is there any code violation or code statute that I could address with the PSC in order to bring the POCO into compliance ?

 

[mivey]

my own driveby indicated there were no visible pole grounds for 1/2 mile in 1 direction from the cust site and 2 miles in the opposite direction including the transformer poles , this was true on all streets for for 3 blocks in all directions , last summer doppler radar detected in our county 20,000 strikes per hour in one storm alone . Is there any code violation or code statute that i could address with the psc in order to bring the poco into compliance ?

NESC 096c .