Having been a lake sailor in KS, this problem hasn't come up for me before. But later this year, early next, I'm moving our new boat from Houston to New Orleans. With a 63' mast, + a VHF antenna, light, etc., how close to an overhead powerline can you come? Bear in mind, I'm not trying to take extraordinary risks here and measure this in inches. What's prudent, 10', 15', 20'? I guess that I see insulators on the lines that are roughly 4' - 5' I think, perhaps that's plenty. I want to ere on the safe side, but I also want to move my boat. Any thoughts?
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Stephen
Yikes
I am a Phone Company Lineman. We keep 36" from secondary (220vac) and 72" from primary (7000vac to 14,400vac) . But for god's sake be careful. I'd wan't a minimum of 6 feet from small primary lines that are on wood poles. High tension lines on realy large wood poles or on metal towers would scare me at ten feet of clearance. Think about it the spar is a conductor. Call your local power company. they would be glad to answer your question.
I am a Phone Company Lineman. We keep 36" from secondary (220vac) and 72" from primary (7000vac to 14,400vac) . But for god's sake be careful. I'd wan't a minimum of 6 feet from small primary lines that are on wood poles. High tension lines on realy large wood poles or on metal towers would scare me at ten feet of clearance. Think about it the spar is a conductor. Call your local power company. they would be glad to answer your question.
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Paul Akers
Your charts will tell...
...you what the clearance is. It's the same as going under a bridge. I frequently pass under a 66' bridge and I have a 59' stick. It look worse than it is.
...you what the clearance is. It's the same as going under a bridge. I frequently pass under a 66' bridge and I have a 59' stick. It look worse than it is.
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David Stone
Yikes2
I'm not a lineman but I am an electrician.I second Stephen's recommendations. That 4 to 5 feet is probably more unless you are very good. Make a phone call.
I'm not a lineman but I am an electrician.I second Stephen's recommendations. That 4 to 5 feet is probably more unless you are very good. Make a phone call.
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Carl
hmmm
i work for a utility and we use 3 different voltages for transmission 115,000 230,000 345,000 volts those insulators are deceptive if you really look at them they look like large rings small rings all the way down the length of them the reason is its like a string wound into an s shape it may only be four feet high but the actual distance in height due to the twists and turns is much greater some utilities transmit at 600,000 volts the higher the voltage the greater the clearence you need the minimum approach distace for 345kv is seven feet (bare minimum) you can check the safe approach distances with osha its probably on their website another thing to bear in mind is that the cables stretch over time (sag) i once saw a boat burned to a crisp the chart said he had enough clearence but due to sag he did not
i work for a utility and we use 3 different voltages for transmission 115,000 230,000 345,000 volts those insulators are deceptive if you really look at them they look like large rings small rings all the way down the length of them the reason is its like a string wound into an s shape it may only be four feet high but the actual distance in height due to the twists and turns is much greater some utilities transmit at 600,000 volts the higher the voltage the greater the clearence you need the minimum approach distace for 345kv is seven feet (bare minimum) you can check the safe approach distances with osha its probably on their website another thing to bear in mind is that the cables stretch over time (sag) i once saw a boat burned to a crisp the chart said he had enough clearence but due to sag he did not
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Wayneo
Yikes3
OSHA typically requires 10-20 feet for excavators. The sag/static/moisture can create a one way trip to BBQ land. Don't want to scare you but I have worked as a linesman and not many make the same mistake twice (sadly). We use insulated EPV's tested to withstand 100,000 volts with mico amp leakage so do not think becasue we are close to them that you can. Give them a call please!!!!!! We always say look up and live!
OSHA typically requires 10-20 feet for excavators. The sag/static/moisture can create a one way trip to BBQ land. Don't want to scare you but I have worked as a linesman and not many make the same mistake twice (sadly). We use insulated EPV's tested to withstand 100,000 volts with mico amp leakage so do not think becasue we are close to them that you can. Give them a call please!!!!!! We always say look up and live!
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Mark
Look up and live!
Recently over here in Western Australia a young sailer was killed when the mast of his families yacht touched over head lines on a river South of Perth. The lines are not marked on charts over here. The coroners inquiry has just been completed and the recomendation is that all power lines are put under water. A terrible thing to happen. Please look up and live!
Recently over here in Western Australia a young sailer was killed when the mast of his families yacht touched over head lines on a river South of Perth. The lines are not marked on charts over here. The coroners inquiry has just been completed and the recomendation is that all power lines are put under water. A terrible thing to happen. Please look up and live!
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Dale Wilson
Another thought
Trust me, I'm asking the question because I want to be safe. Another thought, do you suppose that lines with higher voltages are mandated to be higher? I mean, perhaps someone has given lots of thought to this. I think on the intercoastal a 63' mast is supposed to be able to go about anywhere (bridges). I would assume (but not bet my life on it), that the powers that be also considered power lines. I'm on the road right now, but my next door neighbor just retired from Western Resources as a lineman. I'll ask him what he knows and pass it along. Then I'll try to find someone in the Coast Guard and ask him as well, just for the general information.
Trust me, I'm asking the question because I want to be safe. Another thought, do you suppose that lines with higher voltages are mandated to be higher? I mean, perhaps someone has given lots of thought to this. I think on the intercoastal a 63' mast is supposed to be able to go about anywhere (bridges). I would assume (but not bet my life on it), that the powers that be also considered power lines. I'm on the road right now, but my next door neighbor just retired from Western Resources as a lineman. I'll ask him what he knows and pass it along. Then I'll try to find someone in the Coast Guard and ask him as well, just for the general information.
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Joe Remke
Power line clearance
Army Corps of Engineers charts for TVA lakes recommend a minimum 15' clearance for all power lines. More is probably better.
Army Corps of Engineers charts for TVA lakes recommend a minimum 15' clearance for all power lines. More is probably better.
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