Trees for support !

[websparky]

These photos were taken by me at the County Fair Grounds.

Has there been a restriction in the past when electrical installations are on a County Fair Grounds?

 

[david]

Re: Trees for support !

I think the 2002 Code Phased out vegetation as a means of support.I needed to qualify this to over head spans.

[ August 13, 2003, 01:28 AM: Message edited by: david ]

 

[bphgravity]

Re: Trees for support !

I was recently in Philadelphia and saw a similar installation. I was planning on posting some pics.

A new facility is being built to house the "Liberty Bell" and while work is being done, apparently some ultiliites need to be re-routed. Several trees lining the main walkway are being used for supporting the service cables.

These trees are 200 year-old elms and oaks that are original to colonial times and are apart of the historical park. I was quite shocked (excuse the play on words) to see such sloppy temp. work in such a heavy populated location.

 

[pwhite]

Re: Trees for support !

nec 2002 sections 230.10 and 225.6 address vegetation as supports.
230.10 - not allowed for support of overhead service conductors.
225.26 - not allowed for support of overhead conductor spans.

 

[pwood]

Re: Trees for support !

pwhite,
the nec does not apply to service drops etc per 90.2(B)#5a..the nec takes over at the meter so anything after the meter can't be supported by vegetation.i wrote up a correction for the service drop being supported by a tree and the bo reamed me for it.he said it was owned by the utility and not my jurisdiction until the meter on underground and the mast on overhead.it made me wonder why clearances for overhead service drop conductors etc. are in the nec if they are not covered by the nec?is the power co. required to follow the nec?i usually tell the poco if i see a conflict and they usually go along with a recommendation.anyone else see a conflict here? :roll:

 

[iwire]

Re: Trees for support !

I have never seen a POCO use a tree for support.

The one in the picture could very well be a feeder and in that case the 225.6 would apply.

 

[luke warmwater]

Re: Trees for support !

The local Arbor Society chapter would cringe at the site of these pictures.

 

[charlie]

Re: Trees for support !

I gotta answer Pwood.

 

[pwhite]

Re: Trees for support !

iwire,
until 3 weeks ago, i never did either. the local utility used a tree to support a service entrance cable from their transformer to the customers meter. distance approximately 200-300 ft. the owners of the home said it has been that way for 2-3 years.

 

[pete m.]

Re: Trees for support !

Simply cut all the vegetation off of the tree and........POOF........ you have a pole!!!

 

[bthielen]

Re: Trees for support !

Of course, the difference between a pole and a tree is that 1) the tree is alive, growing, changing, and swinging in the wind. 2) if it has been trimmed of all leaf bearing branches it may die but it is not treated against rotting and disease. Its root system will fail and these are typically just below the surface rather than extending the depth of a pole, with the exception of the tap root.

Just food for thought.

Bob

 

[steve65]

Re: Trees for support !

about a month i was in chula vista , ca south of san diego while driving down the road i came upon area that was just finished being built it was a new street. All down the center of the 2 streets were new palm trees ever tree had 3/4 pvc ran up it strapped with minis and a light at the top this was not temp this is the final product strange but true. what happens when the trees grow?