Safety Clearance to Exposed Live Conductors

Working Safety Clearance and Phase Gap between Exposed Live Conductor

Herein this article we will focus on “safety clearance to live bare live conductors during working in electrical power distribution substations or switching stations” and “phase gap or safety clearance to electrical energy transmitting energized conductors between others power conductors, communication conductors or transportation navigation system” to ensure safety for human and property, as well as operate a proficient electrical energy network system.

Lines crossing or approaching each other as pe Bangladesh Electricity Distribution Code

(1) Where an overhead line crosses or is in proximity to any telecommunication line, either the owner of the overhead line or the telecommunication line, whoever lays his line later, shall arrange to provide for protective devices or guarding arrangements, in a manner laid down in the Code of Practice or the guidelines in this respect, if any, and subject to the following provisions:-

(2) When it is intended to erect a telecommunication line or an overhead line which will cross or be in proximity to an overhead line or a telecommunication line, as the case may be, the person proposing to erect such line shall give one month’s notice of his intention so to do along with the relevant details of protection and drawings to the owner of the existing line.

(3) Where an overhead line crosses or is in proximity to another over head line, guarding arrangements shall be provided so to guard against the possibility of their coming into contact with each other.  Where an overhead line crosses another overhead line, clearances shall be as under:-  Minimum clearances in meters between lines crossing each other, 

Circuit/Line		Clearance in Meter
Lower↓	Upper→	11 - 66 kV	132 kV	230 kV	400 kV	800 kV
1	Low Voltage	2.5	3.0	4.6	5.5	8.0
2	11 - 66 kV	2.5	3.0	4.6	5.5	8.0
3	132 kV	3.0	3.0	4.6	5.5	8.0
4	230 kV	4.6	4.6	4.6	5.5	8.0
5	400 kV	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	8.0
6	800 kV	8.0	8.0	8.0	8.0	8.0

Provided that no guarding is required when an high voltage line crosses over another high voltage, medium or low voltage line or a road subject to the condition that adequate clearances are provided between the lowest conductor of the high voltage line and the top most conductor of the overhead line crossing underneath the high voltage line and the clearances as stipulated in this Chapter from the topmost surface of the road is maintained. 

(4) A person erecting or proposing to erect a line which may cross or be in proximity with an existing line, may normally provide guarding arrangements on his own line or require the owner of the other overhead line to provide guarding arrangements as referred.

(5) In all cases referred to in the preceding clauses the expenses of providing the guarding arrangements or protective devices shall be borne by the person whose line was last erected. 

(6) Where two lines cross, the crossing shall be made as nearly at right angles as the nature of the case admits and as near the support of the lines as practicable, and the support of the lower line shall not be erected below the upper line. 

(7) The guarding arrangements shall ordinarily be carried out by the owner of the supports on which it is made and he shall be responsible for its efficient maintenance.

Safety Clearance during Works in Substations

Sponsored:

Line crews often work in a substations or switching stations where all the equipment and conductors are not possible to be dead; but possible to ensure minimum safe distance for the working section from the exposed live section following as below:

1.  Dead or working section should be identified clearly and barricaded appropriate barrier-rope;

2.  Electrical live or non-working portion must be defined with appropriate signs;

3.  Recommended notices, flags must be used with recognizable languages and universal signs;

4.  Approved types of ladder must be used, not allowed over heighted ladder and others objects;

5.  Must follow the minimum horizontal and vertical safety clearances from exposed live conductor or equipment following the degree of voltages as per international standard under a senior authorized persons;

Accordance to BS 7354:1990, the minimum safety working clearances in horizontal and vertical is as below:

Rated Voltage	Safety Working Clearance
	Horizontal	Vertical
Not exceeding 11 kV	1.6 m	2.6 m
Exceeding 11 kV but not exceeding 33 kV	1.8 m	2.8 m
Exceeding 33 kV but not exceeding 66 kV	2.1 m	3.1 m
Exceeding 66 kV but not exceeding 132 kV	2.7 m	3.7 m
Exceeding 132 kV but not exceeding 275 kV	4.2 m	5.2 m
Exceeding 275 kV but not exceeding 500 kV	5.4 m	6.4 m

If the above clearance is not sufficient to ensure safety, additional arrangement should confirm.

Phase Gap or Safety Clearance between Exposed Overhead Live Line and Ground

An overhead line route which crosses or is in proximity to a high risk locality shall be given special consideration. As National and International references on the risk assessment of overhead lines for guidance in the correct identification and recommended minimum mitigating measures.

Where practical all new overhead lines will be routed to avoid the need to pass in close proximity to high risk localities. However where lines are specifically identified as being in close proximity to fishing or high amenity areas.

Right of Way Clearance (As per GETCO Standard)

Must maintain the required clearance space around the transmission line, trees below the transmission line to mitigate and avoid as far as practicable, a tree entering the required clearance space around that line if the tree falls.

KV	Min ROW
66 KV	18 Meter
132 KV	27 Meter
220 KV	35 Meter
400KV	52 Meter (Single Circuit)
400 KV	48 Meter (Double Circuit)

Allowance for Creep

Allowance must be made for the effects of creep in conductors and setting out errors as the specified clearance must be maintained for the life of the conductor. This allowance shall be as follows:

Conductor Type	Additional Clearance Required
Copper	450mm
Aluminium Alloy	600mm
ACSR	600mm

Minimum Height above Railway as Per IE-1957  

Voltage	Broad Meter & Narrow Gauges
Up to 66 KV	14.00 Meter
Above 66KV up to 132KV	14.60 Meter
Above 132KV up to 220KV	15.40 Meter
Above 220KV up to 400KV	17.90 Meter
Above 400KV up to 500KV	19.30 Meter
Above 500KV up to 800KV	23.40 Meter

Clearance between conductors and Trolley / Tram wires (IE Rule 78)

KV	Clearance (Min)
66 KV	2.4 Meter
132 KV	2.7 Meter
220 KV	3.0 Meter

Clearance for Telephone line Crossings Power Line

Low and Medium Voltage	1.2 Meter
High Voltage Line Up to 11KV	1.8 Meter
High Voltage Line Above to 11KV	2.5 Meter
Extra High Voltage Line	3.0 Meter

Permissible Min ground Clearance of Electrical Line

KV	Ground Clearance	Over National Highway
66 KV	6.1 Meter	8.0 Meter
132 KV	6.1 Meter	8.6 Meter
220 KV	7.0 Meter	9.8 Meter
400KV	8.8 Meter	10.8 Meter

Clearance to Waterways

Item	Description	Clearance (m)
	Lowest conductor (line or earth) to Towpath level or adjacent bank	0.433 kV	66kV	132kV
1	River Trent	18.3	19.2	19.8
2	River Ouse	23.2	23.2	23.8
3	Aire & Calder Canal	14.3	15.2	15.9
4	Sheffield & South Yorkshire canal	14.3	15.2	15.9
5	Calder & Hebble Canal	14.3	15.2	15.9
6	Other Canals	11.3	15.2	12.8
7	Reservoirs	12.3	15.2	15.6

Clearance from Buildings to low, medium and high voltage lines

Sponsored:

Voltage	Description	Distance
Low & Medium Voltage	Flat roof, open balcony, verandah roof ,When the line passes above the building a vertical clearance from the highest point	2.5 Meter
Low & Medium Voltage	Line passes adjacent to the building a horizontal clearance from the nearest point	1.2 Meter
Low & Medium Voltage	Line passes above the building a vertical clearance	2.5 Meter
Low & Medium Voltage	Vertical distance or line passes adjacent the building a Horizontal clearance	1.2 Meter
11 KV to 33 KV	Vertical distance or line passes above or adjacent   to any building or part of a building	3.7  Meter
Above 33 KV	Line passes above or adjacent   to any building or part of a building	3.7+(0.3 for every additional 33 KV )
Up to 11 KV	The horizontal clearance between the nearer conductor and any part of such building	1.2 Meter
11 KV to 33 KV	The horizontal clearance between the nearer conductor and any part of such building	2.0 Meter
Above 33 KV	The horizontal clearance between the nearer conductor and any part of such building	2.0 + (0.3 for every additional 33 KV )

Minimum Clearance between Lines Crossing Each Other (IE-1957)

System Voltage	132KV	220KV	400KV	800KV
Low & Medium	3.05	4.58	5.49	7.94
11-66KV	3.05	4.58	5.49	7.94
132KV	3.05	4.58	5.49	7.94
220KV	4.58	4.58	5.49	7.94
400KV	5.49	5.49	5.49	7.94
800KV	7.94	7.94	7.94	7.94

Clearance above ground of the lowest conductor As per IE Rule 77

Overhead Line Across Street
Low and Medium Voltage	5.8 Meter
High Voltage	6.1 Meter
Overhead Line Along  Street (Parallel To Street)
Low and Medium Voltage	5.5 Meter
High Voltage	5.8  Meter
Overhead Line Without Across or Along  Street
Low/Medium /HT line up to 11KV If Bare Conductor	4.6 Meter
Low/Medium /HT line up to 11KV If Insulated Conductor	4.0 Meter
Above 11  KV Line	5.2 Meter
Above 33KV Line	5.8 Meter + Add 0.3 meter for every additional 33KV

Clearances from Buildings of low & medium voltage lines (IE Rule 79)

For  Flat roof, Open Balcony, Verandah Roof and lean to Roof
Line Passes Over Building Vertical Clearance	2.5 Meter
Line Passes Adjustment of Building Horizontal Clearance	1.2 Meter
For pitched Roof
Line Passes Over Building Vertical Clearance	2.5 Meter
Line Passes Adjustment of Building Horizontal Clearance	1.2 Meter

Minimum Clearance Spaces Surrounding a Transmission Line

Nominal voltage	Dimension vertical below	Dimension horizontal
66 kV	3000 mm	3000 mm
Over 66 kV, less than 220 kV	3700 mm	4600 mm
220 kV	3700 mm	4600 mm
275 kV	4200 mm	5000 mm
330 kV	4700 mm	5500 mm
500 kV	6400 mm	6400 mm

Clearance to Obstacles for Nominal system Voltage 230kV (as per PGCB)

xxxThe minimum clearances defined below shall not be infringed at the specified maximum conductor temperature with the phase conductors and suspension insulators hanging vertically or deflected to any angle up to 70° from the vertical.

This is describe as Minimum Clearance for where maximum conductor temperature is 80°C.

Ground (see note d)                                      (m)                  8.0

Roads                                                              (m)                  14.0

Buildings, structures, walls or other objects on which a person can stand or against which he can lean a-

Ladder                                                             (m)                  7.0

Trees                                                               (m)                  5.5

Shrubs                                                             (m)                  5.5

Railways (measured from railway track)      (m)                  18.0

River Crossing                                                (m)                  25.0

Where:

Clearances are measured to the nearest projection of an object.

For ladder clearances also apply to earthed metal clad buildings.

For trees clearances applicable to trees under the transmission line and to trees adjacent to the line. Clearances also applicable to trees falling, towards the line with conductors hanging in a vertical plane.

For ground clearance shall be measured from the highest flood level.

Clearances Where Transmission Lines Cross for 230kV (as per PGCB)

Where a transmission line crosses above or below another transmission line, the following clearances shall be obtained.

In still air, and with the phase conductor temperature of the lower transmission line at 5°C or 80°C for 400 kV line whilst the assumed phase conductor temperature of the higher transmission line is at its maximum operating temperature, the following minimum clearances between the lowest conductor (phase or earth) of the higher transmission line are applicable:

The highest conductor (phase or earth) of the lower transmission line                5.5 m

The voltage specified is that for which transmission lines are ultimately designed to operate.

Clearances are determined by the ultimate voltage of either the upper or lower transmission line, whichever is the greater.

Clearances are determined by the ultimate voltage of the upper/lower transmission line.

In addition to the above at the point of crossing, the clearance in (a) shall be obtained assuming the conductors of the lower transmission may swing up to 45° from the vertical. The sags of the upper and lower transmission lines shall be those at the maximum operating temperature.