Statutes, codes, and regulations
Wisconsin Administrative Code
Agency - Public Service CommissionChapter PSC 114 - Wisconsin State Electrical Code, Volume 1Subchapter III - Omissions, Changes or Additions to NESC-2017Part 2 - Safety Rules for the Installation and Maintenance of Overhead Electric Supply and Communication Lines
Clearances
Section PSC 114.234 - Clearance of wires, conductors, cables, and equipment from buildings, bridges, rail cars, swimming pools, and other installations

Wis. Admin. Code Public Service Commission PSC 114.234

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Current through October 28, 2024
Section PSC 114.234 - Clearance of wires, conductors, cables, and equipment from buildings, bridges, rail cars, swimming pools, and other installations
(1) CLEARANCES. [NESC 234C1a, p. 128] (Change) Change paragraph (1) (a) to read:
(a)Clearances. Unguarded or accessible wires, conductors, cables, or rigid live parts may be located adjacent to buildings, signs, billboards, chimneys, radio and television antenna, tanks, flagpoles and flags, banners and other installations and any projections therefrom. The vertical and horizontal clearances of such rigid and nonrigid parts shall be not less than the values in Table 234-1 when at rest under the conditions specified in Rule 234A1.These facilities may be installed beside, over or under buildings, building projections and other installation, as illustrated in Figs. 234-1(a) and 234-1(b) and 234-1(c). Buildings, signs, billboards, chimneys, radio and television antennas, tanks, flagpoles and flags, banners and other installations and any projections therefrom shall not be located near existing wires, conductors, cables or rigid live parts if doing so results in clearances less than the values given in Table 234-1.
(2) TRANSMISSION LINES OVER DWELLING UNITS. [Follows NESC 234C1b, p. 128] (Addition) Following 234C1b, add the following paragraph c:
c. Transmission lines over dwelling units.

No utility may construct conductors of supply lines designed to operate at voltages in excess of 35 kV over any portion of a dwelling unit. This provision also applies to line conductors in their wind-displaced position as defined in Rule 234A2.

Note 2: It is the intent under s. SPS 316.225(6) that the public not construct any portion of a dwelling unit under such lines.

Note 2: The term "dwelling unit" has the meaning given in ch. SPS 316, which adopts by reference the definitions in NEC-2008.

Note 2: See s. SPS 316.225(6) Clearance Over Buildings and Other Structures, which refers to ch. PSC 114 regarding clearance of conductors over 600 volts and the prohibition of dwellings under or near overhead lines.

(3) SERVICE-DROP CONDUCTORS, INCLUDING DRIP LOOPS SHALL HAVE CLEARANCE OF NOT LESS THAN THE FOLLOWING. [NESC 234C3d, p.129] (Change) Change Exception 2 (a) to read:

Exception 2(a): 2.45 m (8 feet). This clearance may be reduced to 0.90 m (3 ft) for supply conductors limited to 300 volts to ground and communication conductors and cables if the roof has a slope of not less than 1 (vertical) to 3 (horizontal).

(4) CLEARANCE OF LINES NEAR STORED MATERIALS. [Follows NESC 234C5, p. 129] (Addition) Following 234C5, add the following paragraph 6 and note:
6. Clearance of Lines Near Stored Materials

Lines, under wind-displaced conditions stated in Rule 234A2, shall not be run over designated material storage areas where material is regularly stored and handled by cranes, dump trucks, elevators or other types of high machinery unless the clearance of such lines is adequate to permit full use of the equipment. Material which requires the use of such high machinery shall not be stored near or under existing lines.

Note 2: See NESC Rule 234F for Grain Bin clearances.

(5) CLEARANCE OF SUPPLY LINES NEAR FUEL STORAGE TANKS. [Follows NESC 234C5, p. 129] (Addition) Following NESC 234C5 and the PSC 114 addition of paragraph 6, add the following paragraph 7 and exceptions 1 and 2 to read:
7. Clearance of Supply Lines Near Fuel Storage Tanks

Supply lines shall not be run over above-ground flammable liquids and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage tanks. A horizontal clearance of not less than 2.45 m (8 ft) with cables at rest, and not less than 1.80 m (6 ft) with cables displaced by wind according to Rule 234A2, shall be maintained between above-ground flammable liquids and liquefied petroleum gas storage tanks and supply cables of all voltages meeting Rule 230C. A horizontal clearance of not less than 4.6 m (15 ft) with conductors at rest, and not less than 3.0 m (10 ft) with conductors displaced by wind according to Rule 234A2, shall be maintained between such fuel storage tanks and all other supply conductors.

Exception 1: These requirements do not apply to liquefied petroleum gas tanks with a capacity of 1,000 gallons or less.

Exception 2: These requirements do not apply to tanks enclosed in a building or fully covered by a roof or canopy capable of preventing falling overhead supply conductors from directly contacting the tank. In this case, the vertical and horizontal clearance requirements of conductors from buildings apply. See Rule 234C.

(6) CLEARANCE OF OPEN SUPPLY LINES NEAR WELLS. [Follows NESC 234C5, p. 129] (Addition) Following NESC 234C5 and PSC 114 additions of paragraph 6 and 7, add the following paragraph 8 and exception:
8. Clearance of Open Supply Lines Near Wells

Open supply lines shall not be run over wells. A horizontal clearance with conductors at rest of no less than 3/4 of the vertical clearance of the conductors to ground required by Rule 232, and a horizontal clearance of not less than 3.0 m (10 ft) with conductors displaced by wind according to Rule 234A2, shall be maintained between open supply conductors and wells. Persons installing such wells shall also comply with this requirement.

Exception: This rule does not apply to Groundwater Monitoring Wells defined in Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 141 provided such wells are installed using hydraulic push methods, such as a Geoprobe type rig (The vertical clearance required for a Geoprobe is typically less than 10 feet.) and where sampling is accomplished using a bailer or a submersible pump attached to flexible tubing. This exception is not intended to apply to monitoring wells installed with drilling rigs that are taller than 14 feet or sampling methods that require sections of piping (steel or plastic pipe).

(8) SWIMMING POOLS. [NESC 234E1, p. 130] (Addition) Add the following sentence to the beginning of paragraph E1:
1. Swimming Pools

Pools and appurtenances shall not be placed under or near existing service-drop conductors or any other overhead wiring; nor shall such wiring be installed over a swimming pool or the surrounding area unless such installation complies with the clearances or the exceptions specified in NESC Rule 234E1.

(9) GRAIN BINS LOADED BY PERMANENTLY INSTALLED AUGERS, CONVEYERS, OR ELEVATOR SYSTEMS. [Follows NESC 234F1, p. 131] (Addition) Following 234F1, add exception and note to read:

Exception: Farm silos that are loaded by a blower through a vertical metal tube permanently attached to the side of the structure are not considered grain bins.

Note 2: Typical cylindrical farm silos are considered buildings for the purposes of this code and the clearance requirements of NESC Rule 234C, as amended herein, would apply.

(10) TABLE PSC 114.234 -1. [NESC Table 234-l, pp. 141-145: metric].
(a) Table PSC 114.234 -l [NESC Table 234-l, p. 141: metric] (Change) Change the following values in the NESC Table 234-1 (metric):
1. The value in Item (Row) 1.b.(1), Column 2 is revised from "0.90" to "2.45"
2. The value in Item (Row) 1.b.(1), Column 3 is revised from "1.07" to "2.45"
(b) Footnote 19 [Follows NESC Table 234-1 Footnote 18, p. 144: metric] (Addition) Following Footnote 18 for Table 234-1 (metric), add Footnote 19 to read:

19This clearance may be reduced to 0.90 m for supply conductors limited to 300 V to ground and communications conductors and cables if the roof has a slope of not less than 1 (vertical) to 3 (horizontal).

(c) Footnote 19 [NESC Table 234-1, p. 141: metric] (Addition) Add the reference for Footnote 19 to the values in Item (Row) 1.b.(1), Columns 2 and 3.
(11) TABLE PSC 114.234 -1. [NESC Table 234-1, pp. 145-148: feet]
(a) Table PSC 114.234 -1 [NESC Table 234-1, p. 145: feet] (Change) Change the following values in the NESC Table 234-1 (feet):
1. The value in Item (Row) 1.b.(1), Column 2 is revised from "3.0" to "8.0."
2. The value in Item (Row) 1.b.(1), Column 3 is revised from "3.5" to "8.0."
(b) Footnote 19 [Follows NESC Table 234-1 Footnote 18, p. 148: feet] (Addition) Following Footnote 18 for Table 234-1 (feet), add Footnote 19 to read:

19This clearance may be reduced to 3 ft for supply conductors limited to 300 V to ground and communications conductors and cables if the roof has a slope of not less than 1 (vertical) to 3 (horizontal).

(c) Footnote 19 [NESC Table 234-1, p. 145: feet] (Addition) Add the reference for Footnote 19 to the values in Item (Row) 1.b.(1), Columns 2 and 3.
(12) TABLE PSC 114.234 -6. [NESC Table 234-6, p. 156: metric]
(a) Table PSC ll4.234-6 [NESC Table 234-6, p. 156: metric] (Change) Change the following values from the NESC Table 234-6 (metric):

The value in the Items Row 4 (230C3, 230C2), Columns 6 and 7; Row 5 (230C1), Columns 6, 7 and 8; Row 6 (230D), Column 6; Row 7 (230C3, 230C2), Columns 3, 4, 6 and 7; Row 8 (230C1), Columns 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8; Row 9 (230D), Columns 3 and 6 is revised from "0.90" to "2.45".

(b) Footnote 3 [Follows NESC Table 234-6 Footnote 2, p. 156: metric] (Addition) Following Footnote 2, add Footnote 3, which reads as follows:

3This clearance may be reduced to 0.90 m for supply conductors limited to 300 V to ground and communications conductors and cables if the roof has a slope of not less than 1 (vertical) to 3 (horizontal).

(c) Footnote 3 [NESC Table 234-6, p. 156: metric] (Addition) The reference to Footnote 3 is added to the values in Items Row 4 (230C3, 230C2), Columns 6 and 7; Row 5 (230C1), Columns 6 and 7; Row 6 (230D), Column 6; Row 7 (230C3, 230C2), Columns 3, 4, 6 and 7; Row 8 (230C1), Columns 3, 4, 6 and 7; Row 9 (230D), Columns 3 and 6.
(13) TABLE PSC 114.234 -6. [NESC Table 234-6, p. 157: feet]
(a) Table PSC 114.234 -6 [NESC Table 234-6, p. 157: feet] (Change) Change the following values from the NESC Table 234-6 (feet):
1. The value in the Items Row 4 (230C3, 230C2), Columns 6 and 7; Row 5 (230C1), Columns 6, 7 and 8; Row 6 (230D), Column 6; Row 7 (230C3, 230C2), Columns 3, 4, 6 and 7; Row 8.0."
(b) Footnote 3 [Follows NESC Table 234-6 Footnote 2, p. 157: feet] (Addition) Following Footnote 2, add footnote 3, which reads as follows:

3This clearance may be reduced to 3 ft for supply conductors limited to 300 V to ground and communications conductors and cables if the roof has a slope of not less than 1 (vertical) to 3 (horizontal).

(c) Footnote 3 [NESC Table 234-6, p. 157: feet] (Addition) The reference to Footnote 3 is added to the value in Items Row 4 (230C3, 230C2), Columns 6 and 7; Row 5 (230C1), Columns 6 and 7; Row 6 (230D), Column 6; Row 7 (230C3, 230C2), Columns 3, 4, 6 and 7; Row 8 (230C1), Columns 3, 4, 6 and 7; Row 9 (230D), Columns 3 and 6.

Wis. Admin. Code Public Service Commission PSC 114.234

CR PSC 114.234(title) under s. 13.92(4) (b) 2, Stats., renum. (1) to (10) from PSC 114.234C 1a, 114.234C1c, 114.234C3d, 114.234C6, 114.234C7, 114.234C8, 114.234C9, 114.234E1, and 114.234F1 under s. 13.92(4) (b) 2, Stats., Register March 2015 No. 711, eff.4/1/2015.
Amended by, CR 18-007: am. (1) (intro.), (2) (intro.), (3) (intro.), (4) (intro.), (5) (intro.), (6) (intro.), r. (7), am. (8) (intro.), (9) (intro.), r. and recr. (10), cr. (11) to (13) Register February 2020 No. 770, eff. 3/1/2020