Utility question, which is better?

[peter d]

In my area, utility requirements vary greatly.

Some utilities, such as National Grid, require RMC for all risers on a pole, while others, like Northeast Utilities, mostly use PVC but use RMC if the pole is located on a sidewalk, driveway, or other "physical damage potential" area.

It seems like neither one will provide adequate protection from a vehicle striking the conduit. The PVC will shatter and the conductors will crushed, or the RMC will be flattened and the conductors will be crushed. :roll:

 

[peter d]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

There I go again asking boring questions that don't lead to 1000 post threads. Shame on me! I'm really sorry for not creating enough controversy.

[ December 25, 2005, 05:29 PM: Message edited by: peter d ]

 

[iwire]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

Gezz Pete you gave it 1/2 hour on a slow day. :roll:

Personally I think PVC 80 is a joke when it comes to protecting a riser on a pole.

On the other hand 2" and larger RMC will take quite a bump from modern car before it (the RMC) is damaged.

If a vehicle hits a pole hard enough to flatten RMC the pole will likely be damaged as well.

 

[mdshunk]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

In my area, there's lots of different requirments for pole risers too. One only requires U-channel, but will take anything. One only accepts sch 80. One prefers RMC, but will accept sch 80. There is one municipal utility that requires a 4' height of concrete to be formed up and poured around an RMC riser along sidewalks and in alleyways (near vehicular traffic). It is a struggle to keep it all straight, especially if your area has several serving power companies.

[ December 25, 2005, 06:01 PM: Message edited by: mdshunk ]

 

[physis]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

Well I gotta ask you Peter, if RMC is inadequate, what do you propose?

 

[peter d]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

Originally posted by physis:
Well I gotta ask you Peter, if RMC is inadequate, what do you propose?

Titanium, and if that's not good enough, Kryptonite.

Seriously, I don't have a preference. The PVC seems fine on the poles that don't have a chance of being hit by a car.

I was just don't get why one utility does one thing "this way" and the other utility does it "that way." Six of one, a half dozen of the other I guess.

 

[physis]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

It would be cool if a truck knocked down a pole and just wiped out everything and the riser survived virtually undamaged.

I don't like PVC for much of anything except underground.

Utilities are like electricians. You have to do it their way because it's cheesy if you don't.

 

[peter d]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

Originally posted by physis:
Utilities are like electricians. You have to do it their way because it's cheesy if you don't.

 

[iwire]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

Originally posted by physis:
Utilities are like electricians. You have to do it their way because it's cheesy if you don't.

Physis (Ferris) your my hero.

 

[roger]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

I love PVC, if it is properly grounded, it will clear a fault in the event it were crushed on the conductors.

Roger

 

[peter d]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

Roger,

You're right, PVC should always be bonded.



[ December 25, 2005, 07:51 PM: Message edited by: peter d ]

 

[allenwayne]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

I once had to bond a jetted tub to pvc ,go figure

 

[roger]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

Peter, I'm glad you liked it.

Roger

 

[charlie]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

For what it is worth, we use Schedule 80 PVC for risers. Additionally, we furnish and install the conduit. Schedule 80 will stand up to most damage but nothing will stand up to a vehicle.

 

[tom baker]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

Has anyone tried fiberglass conduit for a riser? Its far better than PVC and very impact resistant.

 

[allenwayne]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

Just goes to show the subs here use sch40 the poco uses sch 80 and we have to use rmc

 

[PlnOldRick]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

Florida, Americas pvc wasteland. im suprised they arent making pvc studs to frame with yet.


on a side note.... if a car hits a utility pole the riser being crushed would be the last thing i think i would be thinking about.

 

[charlie]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

I agree with Rick.

 

[PlnOldRick]

Re: Utility question, which is better?

Originally posted by charlie:
I agree with Rick.

Even with my horrible sentence structure? Wow, i just reread it and realized the sad thing is i didnt even drink a beer for that....

And to make it worse i had to come back and edit this post too. i give up.

[ December 26, 2005, 10:21 PM: Message edited by: PlnOldRick ]