Power company V NEC

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marti smith said:
Xcel has a book of standards for the different types of installations. If the overhead is above 48" then it must be guyed, although I don't have it (the spec book) here w/ me and so don't have the max height they will accept even with a guy/support(s). They send out this "blue book" free to contractors, and it is also available as a pdf download, although I had trouble downloading it every time and so have the book. There are some stipulations: if they cannot freely get to it with a bucket truck they may have you change it. They don't get out a ladder.
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The max height of the overhead conductors above a roof is 48" and there is NO exceptions allowed by Xcel due to constraints from OSHA.
 
Buck Parrish said:
I agree BUT the NEC does have the requirements about roof lines. So one of us either the Power Co or the electrician has to design the mast so it will be code compliant.

That's just like you can't have power co cables to close to an upstairs bedroom window. This is well past the "point of attachment" but inspectors will red flag it. In that case you can either move the mast.
Or tell this multimillion dollar Power Co to move thier pole.:)
Or my favorite , go underground.
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The utility owned overhead service conductors are invisible to the NEC, there is nothing in the NEC that applies to them ........... nothing.

All the NEC references for 'service condutor' clearances apply only to customer owned conductors and nothing more.
 
Have they adopted the 2011 code yet? There is relief for this issue in the form of a new exception to 230.24(A).
Exception No. 5: Where the voltage between conductors does not exceed 300 and the roof area is guarded or isolated, a reduction in clearance to 900 mm (3 ft) shall be
permitted.
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Most roofs meet the definition of "isolated" as found in Article 100.
 
iwire said:
The utility owned overhead service conductors are invisible to the NEC, there is nothing in the NEC that applies to them ........... nothing.

All the NEC references for 'service condutor' clearances apply only to customer owned conductors and nothing more.
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I agree fully with this statement, however it is my understanding that the NESC has the same roof clearance rules as the NEC and the utility is covered by those rules.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
I agree fully with this statement, however it is my understanding that the NESC has the same roof clearance rules as the NEC and the utility is covered by those rules.
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Thanks and I have no doubt of the NESCs rules.:)

But that should be taken up with the power company and the local electrical inspector should stay out of it. :cool:
 
iwire said:
Thanks and I have no doubt of the NESCs rules.:)

But that should be taken up with the power company and the local electrical inspector should stay out of it. :cool:
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Correct, the local inspector has no authority to enforce the NESC rules.
 
I simply had the utility here send me a letter stating that they are responsible for the clearce heights of the overhead conductors and I left it at that.
 
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