Tek-Tips is the largest IT community on the Internet today!

Members share and learn making Tek-Tips Forums the best source of peer-reviewed technical information on the Internet!

  • Congratulations MintJulep on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

Metal Fence under transmission line

Status
Not open for further replies.

advidana

Electrical
Joined
Dec 24, 2002
Messages
433
Location
US
What is standard engineering practice for distance between ground rods when grounding a fence that run parallel along a power line (USA).

Say typically a power line of 44 kv or higher, mounted at +60 ft above ground, mounted on single concrete poles that are grounded at every pole. Fence is metal, 8 ft high mounted about 10 ft from power pole base lines. Fence is equal distance for full run, Fence lenght is maybe 2,000 ft+ or more. fence and fence poles are bonded per nation electrical safety code. Power substation is not close by, maybe a mile or more away

I intend on using 3/4"x 8 ft copper coated ground rods to ground the fence, I know smaller diameter ROD is acceptable per code. Will bond any opening with copper # 8 wire. Again,will bond the gates to gate posts with copper braided wire. All connection will be cad welded. Will ground (with Rod) the gate posts on both sides of gate.

This fence is located in a city. The fence separates residential property from power line easement.

I am contacting local utility for thier recommendations and standards.

I Know I can ground every fence pole to protect against Step Potential. I am familiar with the IEEE Grounding Standard and Nation Electrical Safety Code. Yes, I will do the calc.

But what is standard utility practice if any?

 
Suggestion: It is normal practice to follow the Utility requirements. They are applied in many Utility locations and expected to be implemented at your location too. The Utility adheres to IEEE Std 80 for example, and it may have its own practices that are available to the Utility Vendors and Contractors.
 
Very limited information [p.7+] at:

Besides the line owner, the state public utilities commission may have jurisdiction. Anticipate that the line owner may legally be very specific in requirements if any part of the fence is located within the line easement or right-of-way. There may also be long-term requirements for maintenance of fence grounding.
 
My portion of the fence project is involved in designing the grounding to comply with any applicable codes, standards and assure safe grounding of the fence. The information and tips I have received here is great.

Thank you all for your effort.

Tony
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor

Back
Top