Aerial electric to barn

[BeezFun]

You only need triplex, 3 number 4's or something similar. The bare wire is your neutral. You can buy some querny clamps made for al. to copper. Put copper underneath the al. At the connection.

I understand it to be a requirement now to use quadplex, and the bare wire is the earth ground, but I assume an electrician will know the requirement for our area. Never heard of a querny clamp, and neither did google. Does it have another name?

 

[hr3]

Check out this link on using vegetation to support over head wires,,, Not allowed.. and yes quad plex only... Ooo and as for your connections from copper to the alum. you can use split bolts made for both or Burndy makes a BIT connector that I like a lot better...

Live Vegetation NEC 225.26

http://ecat.burndy.com/Comergent/en...ssageType=catProductDetail&showAddButton=true

 

[BeezFun]

Check out this link on using vegetation to support over head wires,,, Not allowed..

Well that's pretty clear. The only possibility I can see is attaching a post to the trunk of the tree instead of burying it, then attach wire to post.

Ooo and as for your connections from copper to the alum. you can use split bolts made for both or Burndy makes a BIT connector that I like a lot better...

looks cleaner than split bolt

 

[Fred Barbour]

I'm putting up new barn this summer, plan to run electric aerial line. I'd like to understand what a reasonable solution is before I get quotes, so I'll know if they're blowing smoke up my tailpipe. I'll probably put a 60A subpanel in barn, all I need is lights and a tank heater. I see quadplex aerial cable as the recurring solution to this kind of application. The steel messenger gets anchored at each end to carry weight of cable, and acts as uninsulated ground. Seems like they're all aluminum, I assume to reduce weight. There must be some kind of special crimper and fitting to connect the aluminum cable to the copper in the building.

One question is whether I can use a tree as an intermediate post to make the run. It's about 150' from house to barn, house is a ranch so I either need to put up a mast or have an intermediate support to keep the height up. If the tree falls down I'll lose the line, but I'd lose it anyway because the tree's going to fall across the line whether it's connected or not. Any other suggestions or advice would be useful.

I doubt if your electrical code would allow the line attached to a tree. The home I bought had a line to the barn attached to a bull pine half way to the barn. It died about 4 years ago and to solve my problem, I cut the tree above the line and mounted a bird house. A fashion statement and to keep water of the top of the tree in the hope it will last longer.

Fred

 

[Clint S]

Not saying it is correct or it will pass code but we have used trees run overhead wire close to 100 yards and most of it is close to 20 years old. Dad worked for the power company for 40 years, we spliced together scraps of wire to make the runs. Never had an issue. Again, probably will not meet code and do not know about insurance but it has worked for us

 

[aczlan]

Wife will not be happy about a pole, she'll probably have me spray christmas tree flocking on it to make it look like a tree. I like idea of yard light at barn end, we already have bright light at house.

Might also be able to put one on the pole to dress it up a little...

Aaron Z

 

[BeezFun]

View attachment 318511View attachment 318510

I doubt if your electrical code would allow the line attached to a tree. The home I bought had a line to the barn attached to a bull pine half way to the barn. It died about 4 years ago and to solve my problem, I cut the tree above the line and mounted a bird house. A fashion statement and to keep water of the top of the tree in the hope it will last longer.

Fred

I have almost identical situation, it's a tall pine about halfway between the two buildings.

 

[BeezFun]

Not saying it is correct or it will pass code but we have used trees run overhead wire close to 100 yards and most of it is close to 20 years old. Dad worked for the power company for 40 years, we spliced together scraps of wire to make the runs. Never had an issue. Again, probably will not meet code and do not know about insurance but it has worked for us

Trees last longer than posts, you'd think the tree would be the better choice.

 

[Soapandbacon]

I think this would be considered "your" line and the meter is at the house?

Aluminum would be normal here from the transformer to the meter socket, and from the meter socket to the service panel/main disconnect. I think it would be the thing to use for your extension too.

I wouldn't use a tree, I'm not sure that would pass various reviews such as insurance & electric code.

I would put in a pole ~midway, or hire it done by someone more likely, as serious digging and blasting may be involved. If you own the pole here, you can put a switch-controlled yard light on it, which could be handy.

You may need a mast and/or weather head at each end, plus something solid enough to screw the carrying cable anchor to, to do it correctly is my assumption. The minimum clearance to ground should be 14'. If you would ever run a communications line to the barn, I would allow for that possibility while you are at it.

I would run cable for a 100 amp service at a minimum. Considering all the variables, and what I know I don't know :laughing:, I would hire an electrician.

Agreed 100%

 

[dave1949]

I suggested 14' minimum clearance because that is the standard used here by the utility for lines on a lot. It makes sense. You don't have to worry about tall vehicles like a feed truck, motor homes, a large load of hay, or whatever. It just becomes a non-issue.

Clematis and trumpet vines are good power pole climbers and have nice flowers. The utility doesn't like anything attached to their poles, but this one will be yours, so anything sensible is okay I believe.

I would think a cctv line or the like would be very useful if you have animals to monitor. It might be best to start a separate thread about that. I know there are several TBN members that are very knowledgeable in that area that would help set you up with the right stuff.

The utility trims any limbs within 8 feet of the feeder lines on my property. You may be able to get quite close to the tree and be okay. If you want to keep the tree, and if you have a choice, run the line on the side of tree opposite the direction it would likely fall if cut or blown down.

If the intervening tree is going to be a problem, take it down before the line is in your way, or like the other poster, use for a bird house mount. Your wife sounds like mine, every tree cutting is a discussion. :laughing: Once the line is in place and the tree has to come down, now you may have a bigger, more expensive problem.