WP1323 - Working Near Overhead and Underground Electric Lines

Electricity Entity Requirements:
Working Near Overhead and Underground Electric Lines

               Direction of pole lean.
               Pole inspection (conducted to meet the Electricity Entity’s requirements at customer
                cost)
               Pole foundation depth
               Proximity of excavation in relation to pole
               Soil condition
               Proposed shoring methods as well as installation and removal process
               Duration and staging of work
               Requirement to independently support pole during work
               Proximity of existing adjacent underground services and excavations
               Proposed backfilling and reinstatement method
               Monitoring and engineering / geotechnical supervision during excavation work
                progress
               Other equipment attached to pole (e.g. underground cables, transformer, ACR,
                ABS.) must be taken into consideration and in some circumstances will prevent the
                pole being supported.

7.2. Excavating Near Underground Electrical Assets
For all work within 2.5 m of nominal location, the constructor is required to non-mechanical
excavation (potholing using hydrovac or hand tools) and expose the underground electrical
assets, hence proving its exact location before earthworks can commence.

7.2.1       Excavating Parallel to Underground Electrical Assets
If excavation work is parallel to the Electricity Entity underground electrical cables, then non
mechanical excavation (potholing using hydrovac or hand tools) at least every 4 m is required to
establish the location of all cables, hence confirming nominal locations before work can
commence. If an excavation exceeds the depth of the cables and it is likely that that the covers
or bedding material around the cables/pipes will move causing Electricity Entity cables or
conduits to be unsupported, contact Electricity Entity (General Enquiries phone number - refer
page 3) for further advice.
NOTE:           Be aware that cable depths and directions may change suddenly along the
                route.

7.2.2       Excavating Across Underground Electrical Assets
Refer Minimum Separation Requirements table in Section 6.3.5 of this document for distances
that shall be maintained to prevent inadvertent contact with or damage to underground
electrical assets. If the width or depth of excavation is such that the Electricity Entity cables will
be unsupported, contact Electricity Entity (General Enquiries phone number - refer page 3) for
further advice . In no case shall a cable cover be removed without approval. A cable cover may
only be replaced under the supervision of an Electricity Entity officer. Protective cover strips
when removed must be replaced under Electricity Entity supervision. Under no circumstances
shall protective cover strips be omitted to achieve the minimum separation distance required
between Electricity Entity cables and other underground services.




Check this is the latest version before use.               Page 23of30                                        EGX WP1323 Ver 2
9 June 2015                                                                                               EE BS001405R107 Ver 2
                            Joint Reference Document between Energex and Ergon Energy
                    Energex Limited ABN 40 078 849 055  Ergon Energy Corporation Limited ABN 50 087 646 062