Aerial Drop NESC Violations & Bootlegs Scott Livingstone Advanced Technical Trainer Network Engineering Comcast
Agenda Why??? Terminology and Regulations Top Five Issues What can I do?
Why??? Safety Regulations Relationships Reliability Cost
Why??? 1. Safety NESC National Electrical Safety Code Rules and regulations are designed to ensure worker and public safety
Why??? 2. Regulations NESC State Requirements Contractual Obligations Company Regulations
Why??? 3. Relationships With governance boards With pole owners With other renters With our customers With your supervisor With your work group
Why??? 4. Reliability Low drops have low reliability Good engineering practices Under some circumstances the pole owner has the right to remove a drop in violation
Why??? 5. Cost Cost of accidents Cost of fines Cost of inspections Cost of repair or replacement Costs impact Reduced profit margin Increase income Customer satisfaction Reduce costs Do it right the first time If you find a violation Fix it or report it
Terminology and Regulations Terminology NESC National Electric Safety Code OPUC Oregon Public Utility Commission WUTC Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission Bootleg Unauthorized Pole Connection
Terminology and Regulations Regulations come from NESC OPUC/WUTC Pole Owners MSO (Cable Company) Market/System
Top Five Issues Top Five List Drop clearances at the house Bootlegs Climbing space Drop clearances at the pole Vertical clearances (roads, etc.) & drop routing
Top Five Issues Issue 1 Drop Clearances at the House 6 minimum from phone 12 minimum from power Never attach to a weather head Maintain clearances from roofs, windows, signs, antennas, etc. (See NESC part 2 or company regulations for specifics Comcast (TCI)SDU manual or contact supervisor or training dept.
Top Five Issues Issue 2 Bootlegs Avoid additional pole connections whenever possible (Absolute last resort) If an additional connection is necessary insure pole clearances are observed Always document and process attachment permit request according to local policy All pole attachments should be checked (QC)
Bootlegs Top Five Issues Issue 2
Top Five Issues Issue 3 Climbing Space Best Ensure at least one quadrant of the pole is open from the ground to the top of the pole Specification 30 X30 X6 open space must be maintained up the full length of the pole with a 40 overlap
Top Five Issues Issue 4 Drop Clearances at the Pole 40 from power 12 from phone 20 from bottom of the streetlight bracket (If mounted above the cable strand) 40 to the top of the streetlight bracket (If mounted below the cable strand) 12 from streetlight conductors
Top Five Issues Issue 5 Vertical Clearances and Routing VERTICAL CLEARANCES NESC standard CATV Typical Area Under Drop Cable Roads, streets, alleys, parking lots, fields and other areas subject to truck (vehicle over 8 high) traffic Residential driveway Where the height of attachment to a building or other installation does not permit service drops to meet these values, the clearances may be reduced 15.5 ft. 18 ft. 15.5 11.5 15.5 13 Railroad tracks 23.5 23.5 Sidewalks and other pedestrian only traffic areas 9.5 9.5
Top Five Issues Issue 5 Vertical Clearances and Routing Ensure cable follows strand when routing around poles Avoid aerial trespass when routing cable from pole/midspan to house
Top Five Issues Issue 5 Aerial Trespass Example OK OK XOK
What can I do? What can I do to reduce the number of existing and new NESC violations and bootlegs in my System?
What can I do? Install and Repair Technicians Ensure you know the specifications or know where to find them when you have a question Do the job right the first time Fix or report all potential violations and bootlegs you find
What can I do? Install and Repair Supervisors Ensure your employees know and/or have access to all applicable specifications and regulations and have the skills to do the job right Know the regulations yourself QC & Coach QC & Coach
What can I do? System Management Ensure all personnel know or have access to all applicable specifications and regulations Implement a strong quality control program (This is a key issue) Ensure compliance with the quality control program
What can I do? All Field Personnel Know or have access to all applicable specifications and regulations Fix or report all violations and potential bootlegs you find
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