Code of Practice for the Electricity (Wiring) Regulations - 2009 Edition

Code 16 OVERHEAD LINE INSTALLATIONS
16A General
Hard-drawn copper or solid aluminium PVC insulated PVC sheathed armoured
or non-armoured single or multi-core or bunched cables, suspended on carrier
wires, are acceptable for low voltage overhead line installations.
16B Installation of Overhead Lines
Cables for overhead lines should be securely supported on insulators.
Alternatively, the cables should be attached to the carrier wire by selfretaining
nylon fasteners of suitable size and strength and evenly spaced at
suitable intervals to prevent undue stress on the cables.
16C Joints of Overhead Lines
(a) Mid-span joints in overhead lines are not acceptable.
(b) Straight joints, if any, should be made at the pole and should be properly
designed, installed and insulated from the pole.
16D Service to Building
(a) Where overhead lines enter into a building, the cables should be taken
into the building through an arrangement with sufficient size and
adequate protection from mechanical damage.
(b) A separate earthing system at each building comprising earth electrodes,
earthing conductors, earthing terminal etc. should be provided for each
building fed from an overhead line supply.
16E Conductor to Ground Clearance
(1) Termination onto a building
In cases where an overhead line is to be terminated onto a building and
it is not possible to achieve the required height by attaching the overhead
line to the roof of the building, an extension pole should be fitted to the
building, and the overhead line should be attached to the pole.
Alternatively a pole should be erected adjacent to the building, and the
supply cable from the pole to the building should be adequately
protected from mechanical damage. For this purpose, underground
armoured cables are acceptable.
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