Figure 2-13.—Push brace.Laying Out of Pole LinesPole lines are designed based on materials andconstruction methods specified in Overhead ElectricalWork, NAVFAC NFGS-16302. The followingparagraphs briefly describe some of the things that areconsidered when designing and constructing a pole line.As an EA preparing construction drawings orperforming surveying operations, you may be directlyinvolved in some of them. The following discussion isintended as familiarization so you will understand whythe engineer plans a line the way he does:1. Use the shortest possible route. Most of thetime the shortest route is the least expensive. The poleline should be run as straight as possible from one pointto another.2. Follow highways and roadways as much aspossible. This makes it easy to build the line and toinspect and maintain it. As much as possible, the poleline should be located on the same side of the road, andon the side that is most free of other lines and trees.When trees line the road, it might be better to locate theline a short distance away from the road. That way thetrees are preserved, tree trimming is eliminated, thereare no outages caused by trees falling into the line, andmaintenance of the line is simplified.3. Follow the farmer’s property or section lines.This is normally not a major concern in the military.However, the engineer may have to consider bombranges and other such areas. If railroad tracks runthrough the area, it is best to follow them since the pathhas already been cut.4. Route in the direction of possible future loads.The route of the pole line should go as close to new loadcenters as possible.5. Avoid going over hills, ridges, swamps, andbottom lands. Hills and ridges are subject to lightningstorms. Swamps and bottom lands are subject to2-9
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