Oncor Electric Delivery Joint Use Code Compliance

Joint Use Code ComplianceElectric utilities make every effort to assure that the safety of employees,contractors and the public comes first.We are also responsible to our rate payers for the reliability of theTransmission and Distributions systems.Unauthorized attachments circumvent pre-engineering and can lead to codeand standards violations.• Causes of Code Violations• Oncor Variations from the National Electric Safety Code• Oncor Standards Overview and Common ProblemsOncor Electric Delivery1

Causes of Joint Use Code ViolationsWhat Are Possible Reasons for Code Violations?1) Choice not to follow requirements2) Lack of training or knowledge of requirementsOverlashWhen unauthorized attachments are made, code violations may be leftat the pole and/or mid-span when work is complete.These are not valid reasons for violating a code or standardOncor Electric Delivery2

Oncor More Stringent Than NESCDue to local conditions and accepted good practice in Oncor’s service territory,Oncor’s Distribution construction standards exceed those set forth in the NESCin the following instances:1) Clearance from the highest communications cable to the lowest electric supply cable mustbe 40”, not 30”, at all times.• Oncor does not apply note 5 of Table 235-5 relating to neutrals.2) Oncor requires a mid-span clearance for 230E1 neutral of 30”, not 12”• Oncor does not apply exception 1 of rule 235C2b(1)(a).3) Oncor requires 12” between communications cable.• Oncor doesn't apply rule 235H2.4) Equipment mounted on a pole requires clearance of 16’ above a street and 11’ above asidewalk from the bottom of the equipment.• Oncor standards relating to relating to rule 232B3 assumes the support arms andequipment cases are not effectively grounded.Oncor Electric Delivery4

Oncor Joint Use Standards Overview• Worker Safety Space• At the pole, 40” from thelowest power to the highestcommunications attachment• Lowest Power• bottom of drip loop• top of riser/weather head• neutral, secondary• streetlight circuit• traffic signalOncor Electric Delivery5

Common Joint Use Code Violations• Clearance from communications to drip loop or top of riser• Boxing – power and communications facilities on both sides of the pole• Floating – communications less than 36” from and not attached to poleAttacher onwrong side andunattachedAttacher onwrong side andriser violationOncor Electric Delivery6

Common Joint Use Code Violations – cont’dSecondarypowerPowerSpaceCATVfacilitiesthroughpowerspaceOncor Electric Delivery7

Oncor Joint Use Standards Overview• Worker Safety Space• At midspan, 30” fromthe lowest power to thehighest communicationsattachment• Lowest Power• neutral, secondary• streetlight circuit• traffic signalNeutralAttacherSecondaryOncor Electric Delivery8

Common Joint Use Code ViolationsAt Midspan:Clearance less than 30” from power (secondary) to communicationsOncor Electric Delivery9

Oncor Joint Use Standards OverviewWireless Communication Equipment• Labeled with company name and 24 hour contact phone numberto each wireless unit.• Means shall be provided to safely disconnect equipment to limitexposure to radiation when evaluations of emitted radiation exceedlimits for uncontrolled exposure.• Power for equipment installed on a street light or decorative polemust be obtained from an existing photocell.Oncor Electric Delivery10

Oncor Joint Use Standards OverviewWireless Communication Equipment• Must be installed by an Oncor approved power spacequalified contractor.• Pole height must be increased by 5’ over existing pole.• Antenna power source must have a lockable disconnect forwork in the area designated by RF warning signs.Oncor Electric Delivery11

Reducing Code Compliance ProblemsThe Oncor permitting and overlash notification process provides a full fieldinspection of each pole involved to assure there are no violations on the polebefore a new attachment is made or overlashing begins.Oncor has continued to build relationships with our 3 rd parties so theyunderstand our processes.We have also improved our process timelines over the last few years and arenot a deterrent to their work being completed.Oncor Electric Delivery12

Key TakeawaysSafety Concerns Are Real and Trump Bad Choices, Lack of Trainingand Limited Knowledge of the Work Rules.• Safety and reliability of the system is impossible without codes andstandards compliance by all parties involved.• May be more stringent than the National Electric Safety Code• Common Violations – Clearance from communications to power at variouspole and mid-span locations.• Unauthorized attachments circumvent pre-engineering and can lead to codeand standards violations.Oncor Joint Use Management Web Site:http://www.oncor.com/electricity/construct/jointuse/default.aspxOncor Electric Delivery13

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