Telegraph Lines Protection Regulations (Cth)

STATUTORY RULES.

1934. No. 130.

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REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1934.*

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 1901-1934.

Dated this twenty-third day of October, 1934.

ISAAC A. ISAACS

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

A. J. McLACHLAN

Postmaster-General.

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TELEGRAPH LINES PROTECTION REGULATIONS.

Part I.—Preliminary.

Short title.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Telegraph Lines Protection Regulations.

Parts.

2. These Regulations are divided into Parts, as follows:—

Part I.—Preliminary.

Part II.—Electric Traction Systems.

Division 1.—General.

Division 2.—Direct Current Systems.

Division 3:—Alternating Current Systems.

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

Division 1.—General.

Division 2.—Aerial Lines.

Division 3.—Lines other than Aerial Lines.

Part IV.—Miscellaneous.

Repeal.

3. The Telegraph Lines Protection Regulations 1920 (being Statutory Rules 1920, No. 246, as amended by Statutory Rules 1921, No. 151) are repealed.

Application

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

Definition

5. In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears—

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

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* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 1st November, 1934.

 2421/32.—Price 8d.

 

“anchor structure” means a support at which, all conductors are terminated or are connected therewith as if they terminated at the support and which is capable, in the: event of the continuity of any one or more of the conductors on any one side of the support being broken, of withstanding the consequent stress;

“approved” means approved in writing by the Postmaster-General or by an officer duly authorized, by him in that behalf;

“average potential” means the 24-hour algebraic average potential measured on any week day other than when extraordinary traffic conditions exist;

“current” means an electric current;

“effectively 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;

“extra high pressure” means a pressure between conductors normally exceeding 6,600 volts (alternating or direct, and, in the case of alternating, current, root mean square);

“generator” means any device used for the generation of energy, or the conversion of alternating current to direct current or the conversion of direct current from one voltage to another;

“high pressure” means a pressure between conductors normally exceeding 650 volts, but not exceeding 6,600 volts, (alternating or direct, and, in the case of alternating, current, root mean square);

“leakage” means—

(a) in the case of an insulated line—the passage of current between any electric line and the earth or any other conductor at points where the electric line should be insulated; and

(b)in the case of an uninsulated return—the passage of current between any uninsulated return and the earth or any conductor therein;

“line” means a conductor insulated from earth and used for transmitting energy from a generator to a motor;

“low pressure” means a, pressure between conductors normally exceeding 30 volts in the case of alternating current and 100 volts in the case of direct current, but not exceeding 250 volts in either case (in the case of alternating current, root mean square);

“medium pressure” means a pressure between conductors normally exceeding 250 volts, but not, exceeding 650 volts (alternating or direct, and, in the case of alternating current, root mean square);

‘‘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;

“return” means a conductor which, with the line, is used for transmitting energy from a generator to a motor;

“semi-anchor structure” means a support having each conductor so attached to the insulators as to be able to withstand

 

without slipping the full tension consequent on the breaking of any such conductor in the adjacent span and which is capable, in the event of the continuity of any two conductors on any one side of the support being broken, of withstanding, the consequent stress; and

“the Act” means the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, as amended from time to time.

Power of Inspection.

6. Every electric authority shall permit any officers thereto 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 officers.

Saving of rights under the Act.

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

Liability of electric authorities.

8. Nothing in these Regulations shall be deemed to exempt any electric authority from any responsibility to which it would otherwise be subject in respect of any damage or injury caused by its electric lines or works, and, in, particular, in respect of any interference or injurious affection by such lines or works to any works or telegraph lines of the Postmaster-General.

Part II.—Electric Traction Systems.

Division 1.—General.

Application of Part.

9.This Part shall apply only in relation to electric lines and works for the generation use or supply of electricity for working electric traction systems, and all electric authorities generating, using or supplying electricity for that purpose shall be bound by, and shall comply with, the provisions of this Part, and such provisions of Part III. of these Regulations as are applicable, to them.

Insolation resistance.

10.—(1.) The insulation of any line or insulated return shall be so maintained that the leakage current shall not injuriously affect the lines and works of the Postmaster-General.

(2.) Every leakage which injuriously affects the lines and works of the Postmaster-General shall be remedied without delay.

Insulation of returns.

11.—(1.) Where any rails, on which electric vehicles run, form any part of a return, such part may be uninsulated.

(2.) Any conductor being part of the return laid between orwithin three feet of such rails shall be laid in such a manner that the track leakage will not thereby be increased by more than the leakage of an equivalent length of rail.

(3.). All other returns or parts of a return shall be insulated.

Precaution at crossings.

12.—(1.) Where the route of any electric traction system crosses the route of a telegraph line of the Postmaster-General, the cost of undergrounding any aerial telegraph wires or cables shall be borne by the electric authority and, where in the opinion of the Postmaster-General it is either impracticable or inconvenient to underground the wires or cables, the cost of precautionary measures adopted by the Postmaster-General shall be borne by the electric authority.

 

(2.) The precautionary measures shall include one or more of the following:—

(a) The erection of a head stay wire between the telegraph poles on either side of the crossing;

(b) The termination of all telegraph wires on the telegraph poles on either side of the crossing;

(c) Where considered necessary by the Postmaster-General—the use of special stranded line wire or any other class of wire in the crossing span;

(d)Any strengthening or other alteration to the poles and construction on each side of the crossing which, in the opinion of the Postmaster-General, is, as a consequence of the crossing, necessary;

(e)Any other kind of crossing (e.g., aerial cable) which is, in the opinion of the Postmaster-General, desirable or preferable.

Feeders.

13. In the disposition, connexions, and working of feeders, an electric authority shall take all such precautions as are necessary to avoid injurious interference with any existing telegraph lines belonging to the Postmaster-General.

Contact between motors, line and return.

14. An electric authority shall so construct and maintain its system as to secure good contact without undue sparking between the motors and the line and return respectively.

Location of aerial lines for traction purposes.

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

Division 2.—Direct Current Systems.

Prevention of pulsation.

16. An electric authority shall employ such means as are necessary—

(a) to prevent the generation at a generator and the presence on any line of pulsation; and

(b) to suppress pulsations,

which may at any time cause interference to any telegraph line of the Postmaster-General.

Uninsulated portions of returns.

17. When any part of a return is uninsulated, the uninsulated return shall be connected with the negative terminal or negative busbar of the generator by insulated feeders.

Connexions to earth plates, stakes, pipes, cables or other underground structures.

18.—(1.) There shall be no connexion from the negative terminal or busbar of the generator or from any part of either the insulated or uninsulated return, directly or indirectly, with earth by means of earth plates, earth stakes, water pipes, gas pipes, cables or any other means, except for the purpose of protecting from damage by electrolysis underground pipes, cables or other structures, or for special purposes such as public safety, and in such cases connexion shall not be made unless the permission of the Postmaster-General in writing has, been obtained in each case.

 

(2.) Where permission has not been given for any such connexion, a test shall be made by the electric authority concerned at any time at the request ofthe Postmaster-General to ascertain whether there is any connexion with any earth plate, earth stake, water pipe, gas pipe, or other structure.

(3.) Every such electrical connexion with any pipe, cable or structure shall be so arranged as to admit of easy examination and shall be regularly tested by the electric authority at least once in every three months to the satisfaction of the Postmaster-General.

(4.) The current drained from the sheathing of any cable or pipe of the Postmaster-General shall not exceed in any particular case an amount agreed to by the Postmaster-General.

(5.) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-regulation, (1.) of this regulation, where permission has been given for any connexion to any pipe or structure other than a cable or pipe of the Postmaster-General, a test shall be made by the electric authority as required by the Postmaster-General to determine whether the pipe or structure is at such a potential that any adjacent cable of the Postmaster-General is liable to be injuriously affected.

(6) Where any such connexion injuriously affects any telegraph line of the Postmaster-General, the Postmaster-General may require, by notice in writing—

(a) that the connexion shall be removed; or

(b) that measures, to the satisfaction of the Postmaster-General, shall be taken by the electric authority to remove the injurious affection;

and thereupon the electric authority shall remove the connexion or the injurious affection accordingly.

(7.) Nothing in this regulation shall be deemed to authorize the connexion of any generator or return to any water pipe or any other pipe or structure without the consent of the owner of the pipe or structure.

(8.) Permission given by the Postmaster-General in pursuance of this regulation for the connexion to any cable, pipe or structure shall not relieve the electric authority from any responsibility for damage from electrolysis either to the cable, pipe or structure so connected, or to any other cable, pipe or structure.

(9.) Where any connexion is made as provided for in sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation, the electric authority shall be responsible for any damage or injurious affection to any cable, pipe or structure arising from such connexion.

Uninsulated returns.

19.—(1.) Where the return of an electric authority on any electric tramway or railway is uninsulated, whether wholly or in part, the electric authority, in the construction and maintenance of the electric tramway or railway, shall adopt such means that the amount of current returning to the generating stations and sub-stations, other than by way of the rails, shall not be of such magnitude as to cause damage to any telegraph lines or works of the Postmaster-General.

(2.) Where damage does result from such uninsulated return or where electrical tests indicate that it is likely to occur owing to the operation of the electric tramway or railway, such steps shall be taken as are agreed upon by the parties to remove, with the least possible delay, the cause of such damage.

 

(3.) If agreement be not reached, the Postmaster-General may, subject to sub-regulation (5.) of this regulation, stipulate limits affecting the leakage of current from the return.

(4.) Such limits may relate to rail potential drops, potential from rail to cable or works, overall rail potential, rail joints resistance, track leakage resistance, or any other factor affecting, leakage from the return.

(5.) The limits of rail potential drops, potential from rail to cable or works, overall rail potential and rail joints resistance to be observed by the electric authority, unless these are varied by special agreement to the contrary, shall be as follows:—

 (i) The drop in average potential on any section of railway or tramway track with a separate road-bed shall not exceed 2 volts measured over any half-mile, and on any section of tramway track laid in the roadway shall not exceed 1 volt measured over any half-mile;

 (ii) Without any drainage connexion such as is permitted under sub-regulation (1.) of regulation 18 between the cable sheath or works of the Postmaster-General and the return, the average potential of the rail of any tramway or railway below that of any adjacent cable sheath or works of the Postmaster-General shall not exceed 0.8 volts in the case of tramways, or 1.6 volts in the case of railways;

(iii) The fall in the average potential between any two points in a tramway line or lines shall not exceed a number of volts equal to twice the distance in miles in a straight line between those two points and the greatest fall of average potential shall not exceed 4 volts; in the case of a railway line or lines the fall in the average potential between any two points shall not exceed a number of volts equal to 4 times the distance in miles in a straight line between the two points and the greatest fall in average potential shall not exceed 12 volts;

(iv) Except at points and crossings the resistance of the joints in rails shall be not greater than that of 3 yards of rail and the increase in electric resistance of a given section of track due to the joints shall not exceed a mean of ten per centum of the resistance of the rails of that section without joints;

 (v) Cross connexions between rails of a tramway or railway track and between the rails of parallel tracks shall be of such conductivity that the resistance between the two rails at any point does not exceed, in the case of a tramway track, 1.5 milliohms per yard of distance between the two rails, and, in the case of a railway track, 6 milliohms per yard.

(6.) The electric authority shall take readings at least once in every twelve months to ascertain whether the provisions of paragraph (iv) of the last preceding sub-regulation are being complied with.

 

Records.

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

(a) Charts showing the difference of potential between negative busbars in any two sub-stations;

(b) Charts showing the current output from any generating or sub-station or the loading on any feeder;

(c) Difference of potential along any section of a return;

(d)Resistance of joints in rails including points and crossings;

(e) Any tests made under the provisions of sub-regulations (2.), (3.), (4.) and (5.) of regulation 18, and sub-regulations (2.), (5.) and (6.) of regulation 19;

(f) Particulars of any abnormal occurrence affecting the electric working of the traction system;

(g) Current carried by any negative feeder.

Division 3.—Alternating Current Systems,

Particulars asto alternating current systems.

21. Before an electric authority alters any existing electric tramway or railway system operated by direct current to operation by alternating current or constructs any electric tramway or railway system which is to be operated by alternating current, the electric authority shall supply to the Postmaster-General full details of the proposed system, including details as to—

(a) the voltage thereof;

(b) whether double trolley system or rail and earth return system is to be used;

(c) the type and class of generators to be used thereon;

(d)the type and class of motors to be used thereon;

(e) the designed track voltage drop;

(f) the route of the proposed new system; and

(g) the frequency of supply.

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

Division 1.—General.

Application of Part.

22. This Part shall apply only in relation to electric lines and works for the generation, use or supply of electricity for lighting or power, and every electric authority generating, using or supplying electricity for lighting or power shall, in relation to its lines and works, be bound by, and shall comply with, the provisions of this Part.

Maintenance of insulation.

23.—(1.) The insulation of everycomplete circuit used forthe 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 injuriously affect the lines and works of the Postmaster-General.

(2.) Every leakage, which injuriously affects the lines and works of the Postmaster-General shall be remedied without delay.

Test of insulation of circuits

24.—(1.) High pressure or extra high pressure circuits 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.

(2.) A record shall be kept of the result of the test.

Earth connexions.

25.—(1.) Except as provided in this regulation, the earth shall not be used as any part of a return circuit unless the written permission of the Postmaster-General has first been obtained.

(2.) In the case of low or medium pressure alternating current distribution systems, the neutral wire may be connected to earth in one or more points subject to the following conditions, namely:—

(i) The neutral wire shall be effectively maintained as regards both electrical and mechanical conditions;

(ii) The cross-sectional area of the conductor forming the neutral wire shall be not less than that specified therefor in regulation 26; and

(iii) Where, in the opinion of the Postmaster-General, any such earth connexion injuriously affects any telegraph lines or works of the Postmaster-General (whether the telegraph lines or works were constructed or in existence prior to or subsequent to the works of the electric authority concerned, or the provision of the earth connexion) that electric authority shall take immediate steps to locate, discontinue and remove such injurious affection, and shall, if required by the Postmaster-General so to do, remove the earth connexions:

Provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to require the disconnexion of the earth at the neutral point of the transformer:

(3.) Every earth connexion allowed under this regulation including connexions at the neutral point of transformers shall be capable of being removed for testing purposes.

(4.) Tests shall be made at earth connexions, as and when required by the Postmaster-General, to determine whether the earth is being used as a part of a return circuit.

Division 2.—Aerial Lines.

Supports and conductors.

26.—(1.) Every support of aerial lines of an electric authority, shall be of durable material and properly stayed against wind pressure, change of direction of the line and unequal length, of span.

(2.) Every support and every conductor of aerial lines shall be so constructed, proportioned and maintained as to withstand at all times, with the factors of safety specified in sub-regulation (5.) of this regulation, the maximum stresses to which they may be subjected in use.

(3.) The maximum stresses to which supports and conductors of aerial lines may be subjected shall be calculated as provided in sub-regulation (4.) of this regulation, and, for the purposes of this regulation, shall be deemed to be such as are so calculated.

(4.) In calculating the stresses to which supports and conductors of aerial lines, may be subjected, allowance shall be made for the following conditions:—

(a) at an ambient temperature of 20° Fahrenheit—a wind pressure of 10 lb. per square foot on the projected area of the conductors and cylindrical surfaces and 15 lb. per square foot on the projected area of flat surfaces; or

(b) at an ambient temperature of 60° Fahrenheit—a wind pressure of 15 lb. per square foot on the projected area of the conductors and cylindrical surfaces and 22.5 lb. per square foot on the projected area of flat surfaces,

whichever requires the greater strength in the element or members of the supports and conductors under consideration; and in such calculation—

(i) the projected area shall be taken at right angles to the wind direction; and

(ii) no allowance shall be made for theshielding of one conductor by another, or of one face of a lattice pole or structure by another, but the full area of members on both the windward and leeward sides of the structure shall be taken as being exposed to wind pressure.

(5.) The factors of safety of the several elements of every aerial line shall be maintained at not less than the following:—

(a) Steel poles or towers—2.5 based on ultimate strength. These structures shall be capable of withstanding, without failure or permanent deformation, a set of test loads fifty per centum in excess of the loadings specified in sub-regulation (4.) of this regulation;

(b) Crossarms, steel (after allowance has been made for bolt and pin holes)—3.0 based on ultimate strength;

(c) Galvanized steel guy wires—3.0 based on ultimate strength;

(d) Conductors, copper—2.5 based on ultimate strength;

(e) Conductors, aluminium, steel reinforced and plain—

(i) supported on suspension insulators—2.5 based on ultimate strength;

(ii) supported on pin-insulators—2.75 based on ultimate strength;

(f) Wood poles—3.5 based on ultimate strength. New poles shall be designed with a factor of safety not less than five. In calculating the strength of undressed wood poles, the sapwood shall not be included;

(g) Crossarms, hardwood (after allowance has been made for bolt and pin holes)—3.5 based on ultimate strength. New crossarms shall be designed with a factor of safety of five;

(h) Insulators and pins—3.0 based on ultimate strength.

Where, in the opinion of the Postmaster-General, allowance is necessary for snow and ice conditions, special factors of safety shall be provided as determined by the Postmaster-General in each case.

(6.) Every conductor in any aerial line, if a solid wire, shall be not less than one-tenth of an inch in diameter, and where the conductor is a cable, it shall consist of not less than seven strands each of which shall be not less than 0.036 inch in diameter.

Securing of lines.

27. All aerial lines shall be secured to insulators in such a manner and so guarded as to reduce to a minimum the possibility of their falling away from the support.

Protection from induction.

28.—(1.) 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.

(2.) An electric authority shall take such other steps as are necessary to prevent injurious affection by induction to any telegraph lines or works.

(8.) This regulation shall not apply to any circuit which carries a direct current without appreciable pulsation or injurious inductive influence;

Prevention of contact.

29. Approved provision shall be made to prevent any aerial lines from coming into contact with any telegraph lines or works of the Postmaster-General.

Low or medium pressure clearance.

30.—(1.) Where any low or medium pressure aerial lines are erected so as to cross one or more telegraph lines, they shall, wherever practicable, pass over the telegraph line or lines.

(2.) Where any such low or medium pressure aerial line, if taken in a direct line from an electric light pole to its point of attachment on the consumer’s house, would be at any point less than 8 feet distant from any telegraph pole, the low or medium pressure aerial lines shall be attached to the head of the pole of the Department or to an extension on that pole.

(3.) Where the low or medium pressure lines are so attached, the separation at the pole between the centre of the top arm carrying telegraph lines and the nearest electric light lines shall be not less than 4 feet.

(4.) Where, in the opinion of the Postmaster-General, it is not practicable for the low or medium pressure aerial lines to pass over the telegraph lines, they may, by permission, in writing in each case, of the Postmaster-General or an officer thereto authorized by him to deal with such cases, pass under the telegraph lines.

(5.) Low or medium pressure aerial lines shall not in any ease be permitted to pass under the telegraph lines where the service lines would pass within 8 feet of any telegraph pole.

(6.) In every case where the low or medium pressure aerial lines cross under the telegraph lines, the neutral wire of every low or medium pressure aerial line shall be run above the live wire or wires.

(7.) All low or medium pressure aerial lines shall be kept 2 feet clear of the telegraph lines in all directions.

(8.) Where, for the purpose of crossing with low or medium pressure aerial lines over any telegraph lines, an electric authority desires to make any attachment to the Department’s poles, permission

for such crossing shall be obtained in writing from the Postmaster-General or an officer thereto authorized by him, before the work in respect of the crossing is commenced.

(9.) Every such attachment shall be made in one of the following ways, and in a manner satisfactory to the Postmaster-General:—

(a) By approved insulator fittings attached to the Department’s pole or extension to the Department’s pole;

(b) By the attachment of a crossarm to the Department’s pole; or

(c) By the attachment of a crossarm to an extension of the Department’s pole.

Clearance for lines not exceeding 11,500 volts.

31. Where any high pressure or any extra high pressure aerial lines not exceeding 11,500 volts are erected so as to cross any telegraph lines, the lines of the electric authority concerned shall, in a manner satisfactory to the Postmaster-General, cross above the telegraph lines and shall be kept at least 4 feet clear of the telegraph lines in all directions.

Clearance for lines exceeding 11,500 volts.

32.—(1.) Where any extra high pressure aerial lines of a voltage exceeding 11,500 volts but not exceeding 66,000 volts between conductors are erected so as to cross any telegraph lines, the lines of the electric authority concerned shall; in a manner satisfactory to the Postmaster-General, cross above the telegraph lines, and shall be kept at least 6 feet clear of the telegraph lines in all directions.

(2.) Where any extra high pressure aerial lines of a voltage exceeding 66,000 volts between conductors are erected so as to cross any telegraph lines, the lines of the electric authority concerned shall, in a manner satisfactory to the Postmaster-General, cross above the telegraph lines, and shall be kept at least 8 feet clear of the telegraph lines in all directions.

Minimum clearances.

33.—(1.) Where minimum clearances are specified in these Regulations, such clearances shall be maintained at all times and under the most unfavorable conditions of temperature and loading.

(2.) Where suspension type insulators are used by an electric authority, the clearances of the aerial lines shall be such that the minimum clearances specified in these Regulations will be maintained in the event of any conductor breaking in a span of the aerial lines adjoining the crossing span.

(3.) The minimum clearances specified in these Regulations shall be maintained from all parts of the telegraph line, including stays and crossarms and any other fixture being part of a telegraph line.

Conditions of crossings of extra high pressure lines exceeding 11,500 volts.

34. The following provisions shall apply in respect of every extra high pressure aerial line exceeding 11,500 volts which crosses any existing telegraph line:—

(a) If the pressure does not exceed 66,000 volts between conductors and the extra high pressure aerial line crosses a pole route carrying one telegraph line only consisting of one telegraph wire or two telegraph wires forming the one circuit, it shall not be necessary to use any special structures for the carriage of the extra high pressure aerial line, but if the pole route carries more than one telegraph line consisting of one telegraph wire or

two telegraph wires forming the one circuit, the extra high pressure aerial line shall be carried on semi-anchor or anchor structures, as the Postmaster-General directs, and one of such structures shall be placed as close as practicable on one side of the telegraph lines;

(b) If the pressure exceeds 66,000 volts between conductors and the extra high pressure aerial line crosses a telegraph line which is regarded by the. Postmaster-General as a main trunk telegraph line, then—

 (i) if no horizontal angle occurs in the extra high pressure aerial line at either structure supporting the crossing span, each such structure shall be a semi-anchor structure;

 (ii) if a horizontal angle occurs in the extra high pressure aerial line at one or both of the structures supporting the crossing span, such structure or structures shall be an anchor structure or anchor structures, as the case may be; and

(iii) in every case, one structure shall be placed as close as possible to the telegraph line; and

(c) If the pressure exceeds 66,000 volts between conductors and the extra high pressure aerial line crosses any telegraph line of the Postmaster-General (other than a telegraph line which is regarded, by the Postmaster-General as a main trunk telegraph line), the Postmaster-General may lay the telegraph line underground and the electric authority concerned shall pay to the Postmaster-General on demand the amount which the Postmaster-General certifies to be the cost of laying the telegraph line underground.

Undergrounding by Postmaster-General at extra high pressure crossings.

35. Every telegraph line constructed across an existing, lawfully constructed extra high pressure aerial line of an electric authority of a voltage exceeding 66,000 volts between conductors shall, if no other telegraph line at the time of erection crosses the, extra high pressure aerial line at the proposed crossing, be laid underground by and at the expense of the Postmaster-General.

Timber anchor and semi-anchor structures.

36. Where anchor or semi-anchor structures constructed of timber are at any time used for any purpose mentioned in these Regulations, the electric authority using such structures shall, at all times and to the satisfaction of the Postmaster-General, suitably stay and keep stayed such structures away from the crossing span.

Minimum strength of conductors of voltage, 22,000 volts and over.

37. Every conductor used in the crossing span of any aerial lines of an electric authority carrying a pressure of not less than 22,000 volts between conductors, shall have an ultimate tensile strength of not less than 1,372 lb.

Angle permitted where lines cross.

38.—(1.) An electric authority shall cause every crossing span of its aerial lines at the time of erection to cross every telegraph line as nearly as practicable at right angles.

(2.) Except with the consent in writing of the Postmaster-General, the angle shall not in any case be less than 45°.

 

Joints in conductors.

39. In the crossing spans of any of its aerial lines, an electric authority shall use such joints only as conform to the type approved by the Postmaster-General prior to the joints being used.

Location of extra high pressure and high pressure conductors.

40. Extra high pressure or high pressure conductors shall not, unless with the consent in writing of the Postmaster-General, be erected at a greater height above the ground than the distance, at the ground line, from the pole of the electric authority concerned to the nearest conductor of the Postmaster-General, except in cases where the extra high pressure or high pressure conductors cross the conductors of the Postmaster-General in the manner prescribed by regulations 31, 32, 35 and 38.

Location of lines.

41. Where telegraph lines 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 thewritten 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.

42. All conduits, pipes or casings, being of metal or other conducting material, containing any electric lines shall be effectively connected with earth and shall be so jointed and connected across all street boxes and other places where the continuity of the conduit, pipe or casing is broken as to make good electrical connexion throughout their whole length:

Provided that, where any connexion across a street box or other place would unnecessarily increase damage by electrolysis to any structure, the connexion may be omitted if each section of the conduits, pipes or casings between the street box or other place where the continuity of the conduit, pipe or casing is broken, is effectively connected to earth.

Electric lines laid underground.

43. Where any electric line is laid beneath the surface of the ground, such means as are necessary shall be used to prevent interference or leakage between the electric line and the telegraph lines or works of the Postmaster-General.

Part IV.—Miscellaneous.

Reduction of sparking.

44.—(1.) An electric authority shall, in the construction and use of electric lines and works and, in particular, in the construction and, use of rubbing and rolling contacts and of generators and motors, adopt the best known means to prevent the occurrence of undue sparking.

(2.) Without limiting the meaning of the term “electric authority” when used elsewhere in these Regulations, the term “electric authority” shall for the purpose of this regulation include every person generating, using or supplying electricity.

Leakage or inductive conditions in any line or work.

45.—(1.) Where any leakage or inductive condition which interferes with or injuriously affects any telegraph lines of the Postmaster-General exists or occurs at any part of any electric lines or works

from and including the generators, to the motors of electric vehicles or to other electric appliances (including the return path), the leakage or inductive condition shall be remedied without delay by the electric authority responsible for those electric lines or works.

(2.) The use of energy on, and the supply of energy to, such lines or works of the electric authority shall only be continued subject to such conditions and restrictions as are prescribed by the Postmaster-General in pursuance of the provisions of section 147 of the Act.

Maintenance.

46. Every electric line shall be duly and effectively supervised and maintained as regards both electrical and mechanical conditions.

Portion of cost borne by the Postmaster-General.

47.—(1.) The Postmaster-General shall bear the cost of all works for the protection of any telegraph lines erected by him subsequent to the erection of the electric lines or works against which the protection is required.

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

(3.) Nothing in this regulation shall be deemed to relieve an electric authority from liability in respect of the maintenance of its electric lines or works in such a manner that no injurious affection shall occur to any telegraph lines whether erected before or after the electric lines.

Portion of cost borne by electric authority.

48. 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 concerned:

Provided that an electric authority shall not he 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 electric lines or works of the electric authority.

Computation of cost of works.

49. In computing the cost of any work undertaken by the Postmaster-General and payable under these Regulations by an electric authority, or vice versa, only the cost of the actual work so undertaken shall be taken into account.

Penalty in cases not otherwise provided for.

50. Every electric authority which is guilty of a breach of any of these Regulations for which no other penalty is provided by the Act shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding Fifty pounds.

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By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.