Voice of Experience - Danny Raines, CUSP - Ruling Spans and Proper Conductor Sag

Ruling Spans and Proper Conductor Sag

Read the article - https://incident-prevention.com/blog/ruling-spans-and-proper-conductor-sag/ 

Listen to this important episode of this Voice of Experience with Danny Raines!

Cold weather highlights the importance of proper conductor sag. Improper sag can lead to outages, but using the right calculations keeps the system safe.

Early days: We used to tighten conductors for looks, unaware of factors like "ruling spans." This worked in mild climates, but led to failures in harsh winters.

The Science: Conductor size, span length, and installation temperature all affect final sag and tension.

Getting it Right: We all want a neat system, but too much slack can cause problems too. Elevation changes and long pulls require extra considerations.
A Case Study: Improper uphill sagging during a long pull forced us to re-sag to achieve proper tension.

The Takeaway: Today, detailed specifications and online resources guide proper sagging. Initial sag should be close, with final adjustments and dynamometer checks following.

Do it Right, Once: True professionals take the time to ensure quality work that lasts. A circuit I worked on 30 years ago still has proper sag - a testament to getting it right the first time.

 

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The Voice of Experience with Danny Raines podcast is produced by the same team that publishes Incident Prevention. It delivers insights based on Danny's regular column in the magazine, also called the Voice of Experience. To listen to more episodes of this podcast, as well as other podcasts we produce, visit https://incident-prevention.com/podcasts. You can reach Danny at rainesafety@gmail.com or 770-354-7360.

 

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