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Overhead power and telephone line separation
minitici - 14/1/14 at 11:26 AM

Hi collective,
Power company raised their overhead (230v single phase) power feed to neighbours property yesterday.
This new cable is incredibly close to touching two existing telephone lines.
I think they will touch if there is high winds or ice loading.

Is there a minimum separation requirement for these lines? (the new power cable is a single, insulated cable rather than the original 3 separate uninsulated cables)

coyoteboy - 14/1/14 at 01:26 PM

Not sure, but there's a minimum height where it passes over the roadway (5.2m IIRC). You'd think there would be but maybe they accept if it's an insulated cable it shouldn't be an issue, despite what common sense dictates?

theprisioner - 14/1/14 at 01:32 PM

Your BT line termination unit should have gas arresters inside that flash over if the line does go above 70V. Some people mistakenly replace these plates with identical units that have no arresters fitted, usually when redecoration of the room takes place. This would be a good time to ensure the correct unit is fitted. If it has a BT mark on it it is very likely correct but it is easy to spot the arresters on the pc board.

minitici - 14/1/14 at 01:40 PM

quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
Not sure, but there's a minimum height where it passes over the roadway (5.2m IIRC). You'd think there would be but maybe they accept if it's an insulated cable it shouldn't be an issue, despite what common sense dictates?


Pretty much what the electrical network's engineer said when he came out and looked at the installation.

Minicooper - 14/1/14 at 01:47 PM

My power and telephone wires are only inches apart, it's pretty much the same for the whole area round here

David

mark chandler - 14/1/14 at 05:19 PM

Years since I worked for BT, in my day you had heavily insulated drop wire where it went close to power lines, it was blue in colour