suspended cable for light

[jcole]

Good day guys and gals.

I need to run conductors to a 120v light. The conductors will be suspended overhead from a couple of telephone poles about 100ft. What type of cable or conductors would you guys use for this? I was thinking SOOW but I was thinking there has to be something better for this type of application. There is a guy/messenger wire already installed for support.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[kwired]

I myself would use the same kind of triplexed cable assembly the POCO's typically use for service drops - you can get that in as small as 6 AWG aluminum. Conductor insulation will last seemingly forever compared to SOOW.

 

[SceneryDriver]

SOOW would be a bad idea. The jacket will deteriorate pretty quickly with sunlight exposure. 400.12 (4) "Not permitted: where attached to building surfaces" could be cited, but the argument that a pole is a "building" is debatable.


TC-ER tray cable would work.

https://www.wireandcableyourway.com/12-3c-thhn-pvc-tray-cable.html

Uses Permitted:
336.10 (2) In outdoor locations supported by a messenger wire.


You'll need a lot of cable ties, and (if your inspector is a stickler) they'll need to be listed:

https://www.advancedcableties.com/news-event/4208/

At least make sure the cable ties you use are black, and good quality. The natural white cable ties do not last in the sun. Do the next guy a favor and cut your cable ties off flush; I have a scar on my arm from a sharp cable tie tail. :rant:


336.10 (7) e States that you need to secure the cable at intervals not exceeding 6ft, but I'd go closer. 6ft will look sloppy, IMO. Also, if a cable tie fails in the wind, you don't want your cable "zippering" down off the messenger wire.


SceneryDriver