Corbin801,
I agree with you. I don't like supporting a piece of IPS with another piece of IPS that, in turn, is being supported by two switches. I would modify the structure to include a bus insulator either supported from the vertical disconnect switch steel support or add a cross member to...
A few years ago we had someone cut the ground wires off several poles because they claimed these wires were antennas and we were communicating to aliens. True story.
naminorite,
Sorry, I would probably break the binding trying to scan the pages. Also, several sections are outdated such as the oil-filled cutouts and gap arresters. Come to think of it, we still have some gap arresters on the system.
As waross explains, you are parallelling the two low voltage windings of the transformer. If you can find an old Westinghouse or GE distribution transformer manual, the complete connections are shown. The engineer that retired when I came on board gave me his.
ATT604
The ground grid needs to be connected at crossing locations because one of its main functions is to direct electric currents into earth under normal and fault conditions. If not connected, these points where ground wires cross would tend to heat up due to being a 'higher resistive'...
MikeVA,
RUS talks about operator mats in their "Design Guide for Rural Substations", bulletin 1724E-300. It is a pretty large document; over 700 pages. Figure 9-37 shows a typical switch grounding detail. Look under their website, http://www.usda.gov/rus/electric/index.htm.
To expand on racobb response, the lugs of the transformer are probably tin plated copper or brass. Aluminum wire will eventually become loose due to the differences in expansion. The "spike" connector is used as a transition; the sleeve being aluminum and the spike is probably tinned copper.
mel127,
What voltage line are you dealing with? Re-routing an existing transmission line can get very expensive, even a small portion of the line. Are these wood, steel, lattice tower or concrete poles? Will additional right-of-way need to be purchased? What kind of guying issues will...
TechEagle,
If you can find the "Mechanical Design for Overhead Distribution Lines" manual from RUS it has catenary and parabolic sag equations in it I believe. It is bulletin 160-2 (may have changed?). Check their web site. Also, Alcoa's Sag10 program may get you what you want. Not sure if...
