Telegraph Lines Protection Regulations 1920 (Cth)

STATUTORY RULES.

1920. No. 246.

 

REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1916.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, to come into operation forthwith.

Dated this first day of December, 1920.

FORSTER,

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

GEO. H. WISE,

Postmaster-General.

 

REGULATIONS FOR SECURING THE TELEGRAPH LINES OF THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL FROM INTERFERENCE OR INJURIOUS AFFECTION BY ELECTRIC LINES OR WORKS.

Part I.—General.

Short title and parts.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Telegraph Lines Protection Regulations 1920, and are divided into Parts as follows:—

Part I.—General.

Part II.—Electric Tramways.

Part III.—Electric Light and Power Works and Lines.

Part IV.—Miscellaneous.

Application.

2. These Regulations shall apply only in relation to electric works and lines for the generation, use, or supply of electricity which injuriously affect, or are likely to injuriously affect, the telegraph lines of the Postmaster-General.

Interpretation.

3. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise indicates—

“Aerial line” means an electric line which is placed above ground and in the open air.

“Current” means an electric current.

“Difference of potential” means difference of electrical potential.

“Efficiently connected with earth” means connected with the general mass of the earth in such a manner as to insure at all times an immediate and safe discharge of energy.

“Energy” means electrical energy.

“Generator” means a dynamo or other apparatus used for the generation of energy.

“High pressure” means a pressure exceeding 6,600 volts (alternating or continuous) between any conductor and the earth.

“Intermediate pressure” means a pressure exceeding 650 volts, but not exceeding 6,600 volts (alternating or continuous) between any conductor and the earth.

 

“Low pressure” means a pressure not exceeding 650 volts (alternating or continuous) between any conductor and the earth.

“Pressure” means the difference of potential between any two conductors through which a supply of energy can be given, or between any part of a conductor and the earth.

“The Act” means the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916.

Power of Inspection.

4.Every electric authority shall permit any officer authorized by the Postmaster-General at all reasonable times to inspect and examine its electric lines and works, and to ascertain by tests or otherwise whether the Act and these Regulations are being complied with, and shall do all things that are necessary to enable any test to be made by such officer.

Saving of rights under the Act.

5. Nothing in these Regulations shall affect any right or obligation of the Postmaster-General or of any electric authority under Section 147 of the Act.

 

Part II.—Electric Tramways.

Application of Part.

6. This Part shall apply only in relation to electric works and lines for the generation use or supply of electricity for working electric tramways, and shall be complied with by electric authorities generating, using, or supplying electricity for that purpose.

Continuous currents to be used.

7. The currents used for working the motors on an electric car shall be continuous currents without appreciable pulsation.

Use of alternation currents.

8. (1) Unless by permission in writing of the Postmaster-General, alternating currents shall not be used except for the transmission of energy from a generator to transformer sub-stations.

(2) The regulations in Part III. shall, so far as applicable, apply to all lines used for the transmission of energy from the generator to transformer sub-stations by means of alternating currents, and the insulation resistance of those lines shall not be permitted to fall below the equivalent of 10 megohms for a length of 1 mile.

(3) A test of the insulation resistance of all such lines shall be made at least once in each month.

Conductors.

9. One of the two conductors used for transmitting energy from the generator to the motors shall be in every case insulated from earth, and is hereinafter referred to as the “line”, the other may be insulated throughout, or may be uninsulated in such parts, and to such extent as is provided in the following Regulations, and is in these Regulations referred to as the “return.”

Insulation of returns.

10. Where any rails on which electric cars run, or any conductors laid between or within 3 feet of such rails, form any part of a return, such part may be uninsulated. All other returns or parts of a return, shall be insulated, unless of such sectional area as will reduce the fall in potential along the uninsulated portion of the return, so that it shall not at any time exceed the rate of 3½ volts per mile of tramway, whether single or double track.

Uninsulated portions of returns.

11. (1) When any part of a return is uninsulated, then either—

(a)the uninsulated return shall be connected with the negative terminal of the generator, and the negative terminal of the generator shall be directly connected through a current indicator with earth; or

(b)the uninsulated return shall be connected with the negative terminal of the generator by one or more insulated return conductors, of which the ends connected with the uninsulated return shall be connected through a current indicator with earth; and the generator shall have no other connexion with earth,

(2) If, in the last mentioned case, the current indicator cannot conveniently be placed at the connexion of the uninsulated return with the insulated return, the instrument may consist of a current indicator at the generating station connected by insulated wires to the terminals of a resistance interposed between the returns and the earth connexion or connexions the resistance shall be such that the maximum current permitted by those Regulations to pass from the earth connexions to the generator shall produce a difference of potential not exceeding 1 volt between the terminals. The indicator shall be so constructed as to indicate correctly the current passing through the resistance when connected to the terminals by the insulated wires mentioned in this regulation.

(3) The earth connexions required by this regulation shall be either two separate earth connexious, or connexions with a main for water supply of not less than 3 inches internal diameter.

(4) The two earth connexions shall be placed not less than 20 yards apart, and shall be constructed, laid, and maintained so as to secure electrical contact with the general mass of earth, and so that an electro-motive force not exceeding 4 volts shall suffice to produce a current of at least 2 amperes from one earth connexion to the other through the earth, and a test shall be made at least once in every month to ascertain whether this requirement is complied with.

(5) No portion of either earth connexion shall be placed within 6 feet of any pipe, the property of the Postmaster-General.

(6) Nothing in this regulation shall authorize the connexion of any generator or return to any main for water supply without the consent of the owner of the main.

(7) Where, from the nature of the soil or for other reasons, the electric authority can show to the satisfaction of the Postmaster General that this regulation cannot be complied with without undue expense, the provisions of this regulation shall not apply.

Duty of electric authority where return is uninsulated.

12. (1) When the return is partly or entirely uninsulated, the electric authority shall, in the construction and maintenance of the tramway—

(a) so separate the uninsulated return from the general mass of earth, and from any pipe in the vicinity;

(b) so connect together the several lengths of the rails;

(c) adopt such means for reducing the difference produced by the current between the potential of the uninsulated return at any one point and the potential of the uninsulated return at any other point; and

(d) so maintain the efficiency of the earth connexions specified in the preceding regulations, as to fulfil the following conditions, viz.:—

(i) That the current passing from the earth connexions through the indicator to the generator, or through the resistance to the insulated return, shall not, at any time exceed either 2 amperes per mile, of single tramway line, or 5 per cent. of the total current output of the station.

   

(ii) That if at any time and at any place a test be made by connecting a galvanometer or other current indicator between the uninsulated return and any pipe, wire, or work in the vicinity the property of the Postmaster-General, it shall always be possible to reverse the direction of any current indicated by interposing a battery of three Leclanche cells, connected in series if the direction of the current is from the return to the pipe, or by interposing a Leclanche cell if the direction of the current is from the pipe to the return.

(iii) That if at any time it can be shown that within a distance of 1 mile from any part of the tramway system there is a current flowing between any pipe, wire, or work of the Postmaster-General, and any other pipe or metallic substance connected to earth and in close proximity to such pipe, wire, or work of the Postmaster-General, and that such current is due to the operation of the tramway system, it shall be possible to reverse the direction of such current by the insertion of one Leclanche cell.

(2) In order to provide an indication that the condition (i) is complied with, the circuit of the current indicator provided for in regulation 11 shall be closed twice per day for periods of five minutes each at intervals of not less than six hours, and as nearly as possible to the times of maximum output. The maximum reading through the current indicator during each of such tests shall be recorded, together with the output at the time such reading was taken.

Maximum fall in potential.

13. (1) When the return is partly or entirely uninsulated the difference of potential between the points of the uninsulated return furthest from and nearest to the generating station shall not on any route at any time exceed 3½ volts per mile of tramway, whether single or double track, and the fall in potential along any portion of such uninsulated return shall in no case exceed the rate of 3½ volts per mile.

(2) In order to provide an indication that the above condition is complied with, a record of such difference of potential and of the output at the time of such observation shall be taken upon each route twice per day for periods of five minutes each at intervals of not less than six hours, and as nearly as possible to the times of maximum output.

Arrangement of connexions.

14. Every electrical connexion with any pipe shall be so arranged as to admit of easy examination, and shall be tested by the electric authority at least once in every three months.

Maintenance of insulation.

15. The insulation of the line and of the return when insulated and of all feeders shall be so maintained that the leakage current shall not exceed one-hundredth of an ampere per mile of tramway. The leakage current shall be ascertained daily if practicable, and in any case not less frequently than once a week, before or after the hours of running when the line is fully charged. If at any time it is found that the leakage current exceeds one-half of an ampere per mile of tramway, the leak shall be localized and removed as soon as practicable, and the supply of current to the defective section shall be stopped unless the leak is localized and removed within 24 hours. Provided that where both line and return, are placed within a conduit this regulation shall not apply.

Position of insulted returns in double trolley and underground systems.

16. In double trolley systems, any insulated return shall be placed parallel to and at a distance not exceeding 3 feet from the line; and in underground systems, parallel to and at a distance not exceeding 18 inches from the line.

 

Feeders.

17. In the disposition, connexions, and working of feeders, the electric authority shall take all reasonable precautions to avoid injurious interference with any existing wires belonging to the Postmaster-General

Contact between motors line and return.

18. The electric authority shall so construct and maintain its system as to secure good contact between the motors and the line and return respectively.

Reduction of sparking.

19. The electric authority shall adopt the best means available to prevent the occurrence of undue sparking, at the rubbing or rolling contacts in any place, and in the construction and use of generators and motors.

Working current to be varied gradually

20. In working the cars any necessary variation of the current shall be effected by an efficient method of gradually varying resistance.

Guard wires to be created in certain cases.

21. When required by the Postmaster-General, guard wires shall be fixed and maintained by electric authorities in the following cases.

(a) Where not more than ten telegraph wires cross from one side of the tramway to the other side, and

(b) Where any number of distributing telegraph wires cross, from a distributing pole, from one side of the tramway to the other side, and

(c) Where at places other than crossings any bare telegraph wires are liable to fall upon the conductors or other electric wires of the tramway.

Position of guard wires.

22. (1) Where guard wires are required to be erected for the protection of telegraph wires weighing less than 100 lbs. per mile, they shall be erected as follows:—

(a) Where there is one trolley wire two guard wires shall be erected as in Fig. 1.

  

FIG 1.

(b)Where there are two trolley wires at a distance not exceeding 12 feet apart, two guard wires shall be erected as in Fig. 2.

 

Fig. 2.

C.19182.—2

(2) Where guard wires are required to be erected for the protection of telegraph wires weighing 100 lbs. or more per mile, they shall be erected as follows:—

(a) Where there is only one trolley wire, two guard wires shall be erected as in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3.

(b)Where there are two trolley wires not more than 15 inches apart, two guard wires shall be erected as in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4.

(c)Where there are two trolley wires, and the distance between them exceeds 15 inches, but does not exceed 10 feet, three guard wires shall be erected as in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5.

(d)Where the distance between the two trolley wires exceeds 10 feet, each trolley shall be separately guarded as in Fig. 6.

Fig. 6.

(3) Subject to the following paragraphs, guard wires shall be so fixed as to be parallel with the trolley wire for a distance on each side of the point where the telegraph wires cross the trolley wire equal to at least twice the perpendicular distance between the highest telegraph wire and the guard wire:—

(a) Where telegraph wires not crossing a trolley wire are liable to fall upon or to be blown on to a trolley wire, or other tramway wire which may become charged to a dangerous potential, the guard wires shall be so erected that a falling telegraph wire must fall on a guard wire before it can fall on the trolley wire or tramway wire.

(b) In special cases at junctions or curves where parallel guard wiring would be complicated, guard wires shall be so erected that a falling wire must fall on a guard wire before it can fall on the trolley wire.

(4) Guard wires shall be of galvanized steel, but in places where galvanized steel wires are liable to corrosion, they shall be of bronze or hard-drawn copper, and they shall be of a gauge of not less than seven strands of No. 16, or one of No. 8 wire (S.W.G.).

(5) Guard wires shall be fixed between the trolley wire and the telegraph wires at such a height that the trolley boom of an electric car cannot come into contact with them. They shall be fixed to supports which are rigid, and sufficiently strong for their purpose, and at each support each guard wire shall be securely bound in or terminated.

(6) Guard wires shall be well earthed at one point at least, and at intervals of not more than five spans. The earth connexion shall be made by connecting the wire through the support to the rails by means of a copper bond.

Resistance of guard wires.

23 The resistance of the guard wires to earth shall be sufficiently low to insure that a telegraph wire falling on and making contact with the guard wire and trolley wire at any time will cause the circuit breaker protecting the section to open.

Tests of resistance.

24A test of the resistance of the guard wires shall be made forthwith after the erection of the guard wires, and thereafter shall be made quarterly, and a record shall be taken of each test so made.

Rise of trolley boom.

25. The rise of the trolley boom of an electric ear shall be so limited that if the trolley leaves the wires it will not foul the guard wires, and in no case shall it be possible for the trolley boom to rise more than 3 feet above the trolley wire, at its highest point above the track.

Records.

26. The electric authority shall, so far as may be applicable to its system of working furnish to the Postmaster-General, if and when required, information upon the following matters:—

(a) Maximum working current.

(b) Maximum working pressure.

(c) Maximum current from the earth connexions.

(d) Leakage current.

(e) Fall of potential in return.

(f) Condition of earth connexions.

(g) Insulation resistance of insulated cables.

(h) Conductance of joints to pipes.

(h) Efficiency of guard wire earth connexions.

(j) Any tests made under provisions of regulation 12 (1) (ii).

(k) Localization and removal of leakage stating time occupied.

(l)Particulars of any abnormal occurrence affecting the electric working of the tramway.

 

Location of electric tramway lines and feeders.

27. Where the wire of the Postmaster General have been erected on one side of a street or road, any aerial line for tramway purposes shall not except with the written consent of the Postmaster-General, be placed on the same side of the street or road.

High pressure lines laid underground

28. Where, in any electric tramway system, any high pressure electric line is used, and is laid beneath the surface of the ground, all known practicable means shall be used to prevent interference or leakage between the high pressure lines and the lines or works of the Postmaster-General.

Part III.—Electric Light and Power Works and Lines.

Division I.—General.

Application of Part.

29. This Part shall apply only to electric works and linesfor the generation, supply, or use of electricity for lighting or power, and shall be binding on and complied with by electric authorities generating, using, or supplying electricity for lighting or power in relation to their works and lines.

Maintained of insulation

30. The insulation of every complete circuit used for the supply of energy, including all machinery, apparatus, and devices forming part of or in connexion with such circuit, shall be so maintained that the leakage current shall not under any conditions exceed one-thousandth part of the maximum supply current, and suitable means shall be provided for the immediate indication of leakage. Every leakage shall be remedied without delay.

Test of insulation of circuit.

31. An intermediate pressure or a high pressure circuit shall not be brought into use unless the insulation of every part thereof, including every machine, device, or apparatus, has withstood the test of a continuous application, during one hour, of the maximum pressure to which it is intended to be subjected in use. A record shall be kept of the result of the test.

Earth connexion.

32. (1) Except with the written consent of the Postmaster-General—

(a) the earth shall not be used as any part of a return circuit; and

(b) onconnexion with earth, other than one connexion at each generating or transforming station, shall be allowed, with continuous current circuits.

(2) Each earth connexion allowed under this regulation shall be capable of being removed for testing purposes.

Division 2.—Aerial Lines.

Supports.

33. Every support of an aerial line shall be of durable material and properly stayed against wind pressure, change of direction of the line, or unequal lengths of span. For wooden poles a factor of safety of 10 shall be observed, and for stays, steel poles, and concrete foundations, a factor of safety of 5. The factors of safety shall be based on the assumption that the structures may be subjected to a wind pressure of 25 lb. per square foot at a temperature of 23 degrees Fahr..

Size of conductors.

34. The sectional area of the conductor in any electric line shall not be less than the area of a circle of one-tenth of an inch diameter, and whore the conductor is formed of stranded wire, each separate wire shall be not less than No. 20. S.W.G. Conductors shall be erected with a factor of safety of 6 when exposed to a wind pressure of 25 lb. per square foot, at a temperature of 23 degrees Fahr..

 

Securing of lines.

35. All aerial lines shall be secured to insulators in such a manner and so guarded that they cannot fall away from the support.

Protection from induction.

36. The conductors constituting the lead and return for any circuit shall be run parallel with each other, and on the same poles, and the position of the lead and return shall be interchanged by crossing where necessary. This regulation shall not apply, however, to any circuit which carries a continuous current without appreciable pulsation or injurious inductive influence.

Prevention of contact.

37. Provision, to the approval of the Postmaster-General, shall be made to prevent any aerial conductor from coming into contact with any wire or work of the Postmaster-General.

Lines crossing telegraph lines

38. (1) Where any low-pressure aerial lines are erected so as to cross one or more telegraph lines, they may pass over, or by permission of the Postmaster-General or an officer thereto authorized by the Postmaster-General, under the telegraph lines, but so that the low-pressure aerial lines are kept at least 2 feet clear of the telegraph lines in all directions.

(2) Where it is not practicable for the low pressure aerial lines to pass over or under the telegraph lines, then the Postmaster-General or officer authorized by him may grant permission for the low pressure aerial lines to pass between the telegraph lines.

(3) Under-crossings are permissible when no telegraph pole is in such a position as to be between the Electric Authority’s proposed service line, and an imaginary line commencing at the electric authority’s pole, and making an angle of 15 degrees with the proposed service line, provided always such under-crossing does not limit the reasonably anticipated development of the telegraph lines.

(4) When for the purpose of crossing with low pressure aerial lines over or through the telegraph line, the electric authority desires to make an attachment to the telegraph poles, permission for such crossings must be obtained from the Postmaster-General, or officer authorized by him, before the work is commenced.

(5) The attachments must be made in one of the following ways, and in a manner satisfactory to the Postmaster-General:—

(a) by the attachment of a crossarm to the Department’s pole;

(b) by the attachment of a crossarm to an extension of the Department’s pole;

(c) by the use of insulated wires properly enclosed in an earthed conduit attached to the Department’s poles.

Intermediate pressure clearance.

39. Where intermediate pressure lines are erected so as to cross one or more telegraph lines, the wires of the electric authority must cross above the telegraph wires and the intermediate pressure lines shall be kept at least 4 feet clear of the telegraph lines in all directions, such crossing to be to the satisfaction of the Postmaster-General.

High-pressure clearance.

40. Where high-pressure lines are erected so as to cross one or more telegraph lines, the wires of the electric authority must cross above the telegraph wires, and the high-pressure lines shall be kept at least 6 feet clear of the telegraph lines in all directions, such crossing to be to the satisfaction of the Postmaster-General.

Angle permitted where lines cross.

41. (1) Where the separation between the routes of the lines of an electric authority and those of the Postmaster-General is 1 chain or more, and where the lines of such electric authority cross a street or road, and cross one or more telegraph lines, the angle between the line of the electric authority and the telegraph line at the point of crossing shall not be less than 60 degrees, except where the configuration of the streets prevents that angle being observed.

(2)Where the separation between the routes of the lines of an electric authority and those of the Postmaster-General, is less than 1 chain, and where the lines of such electric authority cross a street or road, and cross one or more telegraph lines, the following rules shall apply:—

(a)Underneath crossings, when permitted, shall be made so that the angle between the low pressure line and the telegraph line at the point of crossing shall be not less than 45 degrees.

(b)Over-crossings shall be made so that the angle between the power lines and the telegraph line at the point of crossing shall be not less than 30 degrees.

Maintenance.

42. Every aerial line, including the poles or supports, and all the structural parts and electrical appliances and devices belonging to or connected with the line, shall be duly and efficiently supervised and maintained as regards both electrical and mechanical conditions.

Location of lines.

43. Where the wires of the Postmaster-General have been erected on one side of a street or road, aerial lines for power or lighting shall not, except with the written consent of the Postmaster-General, be placed on the same side of the street or road.

Division 3.—Lines other than Aerial Lines.

Electric continuity of metal conduits, pipes, and casings.

44. All metal conduits, pipes, or casings containing any electric line shall be efficiently connected with earth, and shall be so jointed and connected across all streets, boxes, and other openings as to make good electrical connexion throughout their whole length.

Precautions to be taken when bare conductors are used.

45. (1) Where the conductors of electric lines placed in any conduit are not continuously covered with insulating material, they shall be secured in position, and no unfixed uninsulated material of a conducting nature shall be contained in the conduit.

(2) Adequate precautions shall be taken to insure that no accumulation of water shall take place in any part of the conduit, and to prevent any dangerous access of moisture to the conductors or the insulators.

(3) In the case of electric lines laid in conduits, the insulators shall be so disposed that they can be readily inspected.

High pressure lines laid underground.

46. Where any high-pressure electric line is laid beneath the surface of the ground, all known practicable means shall be used to prevent interference or leakage between the high-pressure lines and the lines or works of the Postmaster-General.

Discontinuance of supply on discovery of leakage on any premises.

47. Should a leakage which interferes with the telegraph lines of the, Postmaster-General exist at any part of an electric light or power circuit within or upon any premises, the leakage shall be remedied without delay by the electric authority responsible for the proper maintenance of the wirings and in the event of it not being so remedied, the electric authority shall discontinue the use of energy on, and the supply of energy to, the premises, and shall not resume the use or supply until the leakage is remedied.

 

Part IV.—Miscellaneous.

Portion of cost borne by the Postmaster-General.

48. (1) Where the telegraph lines of the Postmaster-General were not, prior to the introduction of the works of the electric authority, in a position to which they were legally entitled, the cost of putting them in a legally correct position shall be borne by the Postmaster-General.

(2) The Postmaster-General shall also bear the cost of all works for the protection of any aerial telegraph line erected by him subsequent to the erection of the line or work against which the protection is required.

(3) The cost of providing metallic circuits or common return wires for telephone lines of the Postmaster-General shall be borne by the Postmaster-General.

Portion of cost borne by electric authority.

49. Except as provided in the last preceding regulation, or in the Act the cost of all works necessary to comply with these Regulations shall be borne by the electric authority.

Provided, however, that the electric authority shall not be required to pay the cost of any work undertaken by the Postmaster-General if the work was not primarily required for the protection of the telegraph lines of the Postmaster-General from injurious affection by the works of the electric authority.

50. In computing the cost of any work undertaken by the Postmaster-General, and chargeable under these Regulations against the electric authority, or vice versâ, only the actual cost incurred shall be taken into account.

Penalty in cases not otherwise provided for.

51. Any electric authority guilty of any breach of or non-compliance with these Regulations, for which no other penalty is imposed by the Act, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding Fifty pounds.

Repeal.

52. All Regulations for securing the telegraph lines of the Postmaster-General from interference or injurious affection by electric lines or works previously made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, and in force at the commencement of these Regulations, are hereby repealed save as to any right, privilege, or obligation acquired, accrued, or incurred, thereunder.

 

Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.