h.
If telephone or power poles are used, there is another important item to remember. Never
tie telephone lines WD-1( )/TT or WF-16/U closer than 4 feet to a power line. The general rule is 4 to 6
feet below the power line. This protects the installer, keeps him off the line, and in general provides
working space for other construction crews.
CAUTION
All electric light and power wires must be considered to
be carrying dangerous voltage. Do not tie field wire lines
to transformer cases, electric light brackets, or power
crossarms. Be extremely careful when working near
power lines. Observe all safety precautions and follow
safe construction practices.
8.
It is important to remember all the information provided as construction of the line continues.
Surface construction begins at this point. In surface construction, the line is laid loosely, with plenty of
well distributed slack (approximately 20 percent) along the line. Slack allows the line to lay flat and
simplifies maintenance and construction changes.
a.
Surface lines should be secured as you go along. They can be tied to trees or posts to
prevent passing troops from pulling the cable into traffic lanes. All ties should be made at ground level
with a ground loop-knot tie. Surface lines must be kept off roads and road shoulders. The principle
advantages of surface lines are that less time and fewer personnel are required for installation, and, when
laid loosely, surface lines are less vulnerable to artillery fire.
b.
The main disadvantages are that surface lines may become unserviceable in wet weather
and may often be broken by passing troops and vehicles.
c.
When surface lines are laid along a road, keep the wires well off the traffic lanes.
However, installation is not complete until a thorough policing of each circuit has been completed.
d.
If equipment is available and you feel you may have a problem doing surface
construction, go and practice. It is better to make mistakes in practice where you can learn and correct
the error than to make the mistakes during the construction.
9.
At some point it will be necessary to cross a road. You will use the lance poles PO-2 we
discussed earlier. They provide a convenient method of supporting aerial lines. These wooden poles are
ideal to get wire lines across a road.
SS0440
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