Safety Clearance

Electrical Safety Clearance (Part-1)

Standard: Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation

Minimum Safety Clearance of Pipelines from Electrical Tower:

DescriptionVoltage

33KV/66KV/132KV 220KV/400KV

The right of way (ROW) (widths on either side of the

center line of overhead transmission lines ) 25 Meter 50 Meter

Other than the roadways and boundary fences of

security establishments any temporary or permanent

structures / buildings, parapet walls,Not within 25 Meter

Not within 50

Meter

With All Underground services crossing the way leave

(from the nearest tower foundation) 35 Meter (Min) 50 Meter (Min)

The nearest side of the road reservation to the nearest

tower foundation 25 Meter35 Meter,50

Meter

The pipelines (water, oil/gas etc.) crossing (respectively

away from the nearest base of tower leg). Pipe-lines

shall not be laid parallel to the overhead line within the

limits of a way leave (ROW).

25 Meter (Min)

35

Meter(Min) ,50

Meter(Min)

Cables crossing the transmission lines way leave (ROW)

respectively away from the nearest base of tower leg. 25 Meter35 Meter,50

Meter

Foundations and civil structures (Temporary or

permanent) will not be permitted in the close proximity to

the cable circuit. A minimum horizontal distance from

such structures to the nearest edge of the cable trench

shall be observed

Min 1.5 Meter Min 1.5 Meter

Clearance among Electrical Line-Telephone- Water-Sewerage -Gas Line

Service Vertical Clearance(Min)

Water Line (to cross below EHV cable level) 0.5 Meter

Sewerage Mains (to cross below EHV cable level) 1.0 Meter

Drainage Mains (to cross below EHV cable level) 0.5 Meter

Gas pipes 0.6 Meter

Telephone lines 0.5 Meter

LV / 11kV cables 0.5 Meter

Safety Clearance for Excavation of Land :

Type of Excavation Distance

Use of heavy mechanical excavators (other than hand

operated pneumatic jack hammers) or driving sheet

piles

Not less than 3 Meter from the edge of cable,

cover, cable joint

Heavy machinery engaged in the civil construction or

road works

operating load/thrust/ weight will not be

applied directly on the cable installation

Trench excavations parallel to the cable installationsMinimum separation of 1 Meter to the nearest

edge of cable tile

Laying of metal pipes over a long distance parallel to

cable

Not permitted unless the Step and Touch

Potentials at any point of the pipe line do not

exceed 65 Volts.

(A) Inside TownsDistance between Tower’s foundation to Pipeline in parallel and intersections.

Voltage Min Distance

380/220V 0.5 Meter

20KV 2 Meter

63KV 7 Meter

132KV 10 Meter

230KV and Above 20 Meter

Distance between underground power cables to wall of gas pipelines in parallel routes.

Voltage Min Horizontal Distance Min Vertical Distance

380/220V 1 Meter 0.5 Meter

20KV 2 Meter 1 Meter

63KV 3 Meter 1.5 Meter

(B) Outside of Towns: Distance between Tower’s foundation to Pipeline in parallel and intersections.

KVMin Distance in Parallel Route (Up to

5 Km)

Min Distance in Parallel Route

(Above 5 Km)






Distance between overhead lines to gas pipelines at intersections.

KV Min Distance

20KV 8 Meter

63KV 9 Meter

132KV 10 Meter

230KV 11 Meter

400KV 12 Meter

Distance between Tower’s foundations to gas pipelines at intersections.

KV Min Distance

20KV 20 Meter

63KV and Higher 30 Meter

Right Of Way (R.O.W) From Roads:

Highway Distance

High Way : (38 meter from one side of Central Line of Highway)76 Meter

First Class State Road=(22.5 meter from one side of Central Line of Highway) 45 Meter

Second Class State Road=(17.5 meter from one side of Central Line of

Highway)

35 Meter

Third Class State Road =(12.5 meter from one side of Central Line of Highway) 25 Meter

Forth Class State Road=(7.5 meter from one side of Central Line of Highway) 15 Meter

General Electrical Safety Clearance:

KV Description Distance

Up to 11 KVAt points where the lines cross

roads or railwaysMin 6 Meter Height

Up to 11 KV parallel to roads the Min 5.5 Meter Height

Up to 11 KVlines cross totally desert regions

where no traffic is possibleMin 5.5 Meter Height

20 KV to 66 KV All Location Min 6 Meter Height

Up to 11 KV Conductor JointNo joint shall be closer than 3 meters

to a point of support

33 KV & 66 KV Conductor Joint No tension joints shall be used unless

specially approved.


Code: Indian Electricity Rules/ Central Electricity Authority:

Right of Way Clearance (As per GETCO Standard):

KV Min ROW

66 KV 18 Meter

132 KV 27 Meter

220 KV 35 Meter

400KV 52 Meter (Single Circuit)

400 KV 48 Meter (Double Circuit)

Minimum clearances between Electrical Lines crossing each other:

Voltage 66 KV 132 KV 220 KV 400 KV

66 KV 2.4 Meter 3 Meter 4.5 Meter 5.4 Meter

132 KV 3 Meter 3 Meter 4.5 Meter 5.4 Meter

220 KV 4.5 Meter 4.5 Meter 4.5 Meter 5.4 Meter

400 KV 4.5 Meter 5.4 Meter 5.4 Meter 5.4 Meter

Permissible Min ground Clearance of Electrical Line:

KV Ground Clearance Over National Highway

66 KV 6.1 Meter 8.0 Meter



400KV 8.8 Meter 10.8 Meter

Clearance for Telephone line Crossings Power Line:

KV Clearance (Min)

66 KV 2.4 Meter

132 KV 2.7 Meter

220 KV 3.0 Meter

Vertical Clearance between Electrical Line and railway tracks.

KV Clearance (Min)

66 KV 14 Meter

132 KV 14.6 Meter

220 KV 15.4 Meter

400 KV 17.9 Meter

Clearance from Buildings to low, medium & high voltage lines:

Voltage Description Distance

Low & Medium

Voltage

Flat roof, open balcony, verandah roof ,When

the line passes above the building a vertical

clearance from the highest point

2.5 Meter

Low & Medium

Voltage

Line passes adjacent to the building a horizontal

clearance from the nearest point

1.2 Meter

Low & Medium

Voltage

Line passes above the building a vertical

clearance

2.5 Meter

Low & Medium

Voltage

Line passes adjacent the building a Horizontal

clearance

1.2 Meter

11 KV to 33 KV Line passes above or adjacent to any building

or part of a building

3.7 Meter

Above 33 KV Line passes above or adjacent to any building

or part of a building

3.7+(0.3 for every

additional 33 KV )

Up to 11 KV The horizontal clearance between the nearer

conductor and any part of such building

1.2 Meter

11 KV to 33 KV The horizontal clearance between the nearer

conductor and any part of such building

2.0 Meter

Above 33 KV The horizontal clearance between the nearer

conductor and any part ofsuch building

2.0 + (0.3 for every

additional 33 KV )

Clearance above ground at the lowest conductor:

Voltage Description Distance

Low & Medium Voltage Across a street 5.8 Meter

High Voltage Across a street 6.1 Meter

Low & Medium Voltage Along a street 5.5 Meter

High Voltage Along a street 5.8 Meter

Low & Medium Voltage Elsewhere than along or across any

street

4.0 Meter

High Voltage Elsewhere than along or across any 5.2 Meter

street

33 KV & EHV Clearance above ground(Add 0.3 Meter

for every 33 KV Volts in 5.2 Meter)

Min 6.1 Meter

Vertical Clearance at Middle of Span:

Span Vertical Clearance (At Middle of Span)

200 Meter 4.0 Meter

300 Meter 5.5 Meter

400 Meter 7.0 Meter

500 Meter 8.5 Meter

Safety Clearance from Live Part in Outdoor Substation:

KV Safety Working Clearance

12 KV 2.6 Meter

36 KV 2.8 Meter

72.5 KV 3.1 Meter

145 KV 3.7 Meter

220 KV 4.3 Meter

400KV 6.4 Meter

800 KV 10.3 Meter

Lying of Telecommunication Cables with Power Cables (>33 kV).

Cable Min. Distance

Power cable of voltage exceeding 33 kV shall be laidMin 1.2 Meter depth

Underground telecommunication cable shall be with

underground power cable of voltage exceeding 33 kV.

Min 0.6 Meter Separate from Power Cable

Safe approach limits for people:

Voltage

214V

to 415

KV

11KV 33KV 66KV 132KV 275KV

Person using manually

operated tool

1.3

Meter

2.0

Meter

3.0

Meter

4.0

Meter

5.0

Meter

6.0

Meter

Person using power

operated tool

3.0

Meter

3.0

Meter

3.0

Meter

4.0

Meter

5.0

Meter

6.0

Meter


Standard: Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), 6/025 ENA

Clearances of Electrical Line to Ground and Roads:

Description of Clearance0.4 KV 11 KV 33KV 110KV

220

KV400KV

Line conductor to any point

not over road

5.2

Meter

6.1

Meter

6.4

Meter

6.4

Meter

7.0

Meter

7.0

Meter

Line conductor to road

surface

5.8

Meter

6.1

Meter

6.4

Meter

6.4

Meter

7.4

Meter

8.1

Meter

Line conductor to road

surface of high load routes

6.9

Meter

6.9

Meter

6.9

Meter

7.2

Meter

8.5

Meter

9.2

Meter

Bare live metalwork

( transformer terminals,

jumper connections, etc)

4.6

Meter

4.6

Meter

4.6

Meter

- - -

Clearances of Electrical Line to Other Objects:

Description of Clearance <11

KV33 KV 110KV 220KV 400 KV

Line conductor or bare live

metalwork to any object that is

normally accessible (including

permanently mounted ladders and

access platforms) or to any surface

of a building

3.0

Meter

3.0

Meter

3.4

Meter

4.6

Meter

5.3

Meter

Line conductor or bare live

metalwork to any object to which

access is not required AND on

which a person cannot stand or lean

a ladder

0.8

Meter

0.8

Meter

1.2

Meter

2.4

Meter

3.1

Meter

Line conductors to irrigates, slurry

guns and high-pressure hoses

30

Meter

30

Meter

30

Meter

30

Meter

30

Meter

Line conductors to playing fields8.5

Meter

8.5

Meter

8.5

Meter

8.5

Meter

8.5

Meter

Line conductors to Caravan Sites9.0

Meter

9.0

Meter

9.0

Meter

9.0

Meter

9.0

Meter

Horizontal clearances to wells 15.0

Meter

15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0

Meter Meter Meter Meter

Clearances of Electrical Line to Trees and Hedges:


KV33 KV 110KV 220KV

400

KV

Line conductor or bare live metalwork

to trees or hedges unable to support a

ladder or being climbed.

0.8

Meter

0.8

Meter

1.2

Meter

2.4

Meter

3.1

Meter


to trees or hedges capable of

supporting a ladder or being climbed.

3.0

Meter

3.0

Meter

3.4

Meter

4.6

Meter

5.3

Meter


to trees falling towards the overhead

line with the line conductors hanging

vertically.

0.8

Meter

0.8

Meter

1.2

Meter

2.4

Meter

3.1

Meter

Line conductors to trees in Orchards3.0

Meter

3.0

Meter

3.4

Meter

4.6

Meter

5.3

Meter

Clearances of Electrical Line to Street Lighting:


220

KV400KV

Line conductor to Lantern

on same pole

1.0

Meter

- - - - -

Bare line conductor to

lantern or column below.

1.5

Meter

- - - - -

Insulated line conductor to

column

0.3

Meter

- - - - -

Insulated line conductor to

lantern

1.0

Meter

- - - - -

Column to nearest LV pole1.5

Meter

- - - - -

Line conductor to street

lighting column with

(i) Column in normal

upright position.

- 1.7

Meter

1.7

Meter

2.3

Meter

3.3

Meter

4.0

Meter

(ii) Column falling towards - 1.7 1.7 2.3 3.3 4.0

line with line conductor

hanging vertically only

Meter Meter Meter Meter Meter

(iii)Column falling towards

line

- 0.4

Meter

0.4

Meter

0.8

Meter

1.4

Meter

1.9

Meter

Clearances of Electrical Line to Waterways:

Description of

Clearance 0.4 KV 11 KV 33KV 110KV220

KV400KV

Navigable Waters:Lower

bank to conductor or

earth wire

10.5

Meter

10.5

Meter

10.5

Meter

10.5

Meter

10.5

Meter

10.5

Meter

Minor

Watercourses :Lower

bank to conductor or

earth wire

7.6

Meter

7.6

Meter

7.6

Meter

7.6

Meter

7.6

Meter

7.6

Meter

Clearances to Railways:


220

KV400KV

Line conductor to ground

level

6.1

Meter

6.1

Meter

6.1

Meter

6.7

Meter

7.0

Meter

7.6

Meter


level on or across vehicle

parks

7.6

Meter

8.5

Meter

8.5

Meter

9.1

Meter

9.4

Meter

10.1

Meter


level at roads and yards,

where road mobile cranes

are likely to be employed

10.7

Meter

10.7

Meter

10.7

Meter

11.2

Meter

11.5

Meter

12.2

Meter

Line conductor to Rail level7.3

Meter

7.3

Meter

7.3

Meter

8.0

Meter

8.2

Meter

8.8

Meter

Line conductor to the level

of buildings, gantries or

other structures (including

those carrying traction

wires) on which a man

may be

3.0

Meter

3.0

Meter

3.0

Meter

3.7

Meter

4.6

Meter

6.1

Meter

Line conductor to poles

and other projections.

2.4

Meter

2.7

Meter

2.7

Meter

3.0

Meter

3.7

Meter

5.5

Meter

Line conductor to any

other wire other than

traction wires.

1.8

Meter

1.8

Meter

1.8

Meter

2.4

Meter

3.0

Meter

3.7

Meter

Clearances of Electrical Line to Fuel Tanks:

Description of Clearance0.4

KV11 KV 33KV 110KV

220

KV400KV

Horizontal clearance from

line conductors to petrol

tanks and vents

15

Meter

15

Meter

15

Meter

15

Meter

15

Meter

15

Meter

Horizontal clearance from

line conductors to liquid

gas tanks

(1) 459 to 2273 litre

capacity3.0

Meter

3.0

Meter

3.0

Meter

3.4

Meter

4.6

Meter

5.3

Meter

(2) 2274 to 9092 litre

capacity7.6

Meter

7.6

Meter

7.6

Meter

7.6

Meter

7.6

Meter

7.6

Meter

(3) More than 9093 litre. 15

Meter

15

Meter

15

Meter

15

Meter

15

Meter

15

Meter

Vertical clearance from

line conductors to fuel oil

tanksPlease refer Clearances to Objects

Clearances of Electrical Lines to other Electrical Lines:

Description of Clearance0.4

KV11 KV 33KV 110KV

220

KV400KV

Lowest line conductor or

earth wire of upper line to

highest line conductor of

lower line.

1.0

Meter

1.8

Meter

2.0

Meter

2.5

Meter

3.7

Meter

4.4

Meter



earth wire of lower line

where erected.

0.7

Meter

1.4

Meter

1.6

Meter

2.5

Meter

3.7

Meter

4.4

Meter



any point on a support of

the lower line on which a

person may stand.

2.7

Meter

2.8

Meter

3.0

Meter

3.4

Meter

4.6

Meter

5.3

Meter

Support of upper line and

any conductor of lower

line.

7.5

Meter

7.5

Meter

7.5

Meter

15

Meter

15

Meter

15

Meter

Vertical Passing Clearance (sites where vehicles will pass below the lines):

Description of Clearance<33 KV 110KV 220KV 400 KV

Passing clearance: fixed height loads0.8 Meter 1.4

Meter

2.4

Meter

3.1

Meter

Passing Clearance: variable height loads.2.3 Meter 3.2

Meter

4.1

Meter

5.0

Meter

Horizontal Clearance (sites where there will be no work or passage of plant under lines):


KV110KV 220KV 400 KV

Minimum horizontal distances to safety barriers6.0

Meter

9.0

Meter

12.0

Meter

14.0

Meter

Distance between Conductors of Same/Different Circuit (On Same Support):

Higher Voltage of either Circuit Lower Voltage of either

CircuitDistance between Circuits

< 33 KV < 1 KV 1.0 Meter

< 33 KV > 1 KV 1.2 Meter

33 KV to 110 KV < 1 KV 1.5Meter

33 KV to 110 KV > 1 KV 2.0 Meter

Above 110 KV All 2.5 Meter

Vertical Distance between Conductors of different Circuit (On Different Support):

Higher Voltage of either CircuitDistance between Circuits

< 1 KV 0.6 Meter

1 KV to 33 KV 1.2 Meter


110 KV 2.4 Meter

220 KV 2.8 Meter

Distance between Conductors (Taken down from Pole to other Support, on Transformer):

Voltage Distance between Circuits

11 KV & LV Line 0.60 Meter



Horizontal Distance of Telecommunication Line & Overhead Line:

Description of ClearanceDistance

Telecommunication Line(Not insulated) to HV Line Min 1.6 Meter

Telecommunication Line (Bare) to LV (Bare) Line Min 1.2 Meter

Telecommunication Line (Covered) to LV (Bare) Line Min 0.6 Meter

Telecommunication Line (Bare) to Stay (Bare) Wire Min 0.3 Meter

Passage Way for Metal clad Switchgear:

Description of ClearanceDistance

Clean &unobstructed Passages at the front of any Low/High Voltage

Switchgear.

1.0 Meter wide & 2.5

Meter high

Clean &unobstructed Passages at side or under any earthed enclosure

containing Bare Conductor

0.8 Meter wide & 2.2

Meter high

Safe approach distance for Person from Exposed Live Parts:

Circuit VoltageDistance

< 1 KV 0.5 Meter

11 KV 1.5 Meter

22 KV 2.0 Meter

33 KV 2.5 Meter

66 KV 3.0 Meter

110 KV 4.0 Meter

>220 KV 6.0 Meter


Standard: ETSA Utilities

Vertical Clearances between Services:

Service LV Cable HV Cable

Common Pipe 0.100 Meter 0.100 Meter

Gas Pipe 0.200 Meter 0.200 Meter

Sewer Pipe 0.300 Meter 0.300 Meter

Water Pipe 0.600 Meter 0.600 Meter

Horizontal Clearances between Services:

Service LV Cable HV Cable

Common Pipe 0.100 Meter 0.100 Meter

Gas Pipe 0.200 Meter 0.200 Meter

Sewer Pipe 1.0 Meter 1.0 Meter

Water Pipe 0.600 Meter 0.600 Meter

Standard: UK Power Networks – EI 02-0019

Cable Installation Depths:

Voltage Area Depth (min)

Low

Voltage

Footways, grass verges or private property0.450 Meter

Carriageways (including road crossings)0.600 Meter

Normal agricultural land (not deep ploughing)1.0 Meter

Agricultural land subject to deep ploughing1.2 Meter

11 KV to 20

KV





33 KV to

132 KV





Auxiliary

Multi-core

& Multi-pair

Cables





On Cable

Ladder for

LV to HV

The Horizontal clearance between cables on cable ladders2X Dia of Cable

of Largest Cable

or min 150 mm

The clearance from a supporting wall20 mm

The vertical clearance between cables is greater150 mm

If the number of cables > 4, they are to be installed in a

horizontal

Minimum Approach Distance of Crane or Moving Part from Live Conductor:

VoltageWithout Safety Observation

For ordinary PersonUn insulated portions Insulated portions

Upto1KV 2 Meter 1.0 Meter 3.0 Meter

11 KV 2 Meter 1.4 Meter 3.0 Meter

22 KV 2.4 Meter 2 Meter 3.0 Meter



132 KV 3.0 Meter 3.0 Meter 3.0 Meter




Minimum Fixed Clearances for Electrical Apparatus (Isolation Points):

Voltage Fixed Clearance

Up to 11Kv 0.320 Meter

11KV to 33KV 0.320 Meter




Standard: New Zealand Electrical Code:

Min Safe Distance between Buildings and Overhead Line:

Voltage Pole Tower

11 kV to 33 kV 2 Meter 2 Meter

33 kV to 66 kV 6 Meter 6 Meter

66 kV and Above 8 Meter 8 Meter

Min Safe Distance for excavation near Overhead Line:

Description of Clearance From Pole (Min)From Tower

(min)

Excavation in land more than 750mm depth8 Meter 12 Meter

Excavation in land up to750mm depth2.2 to 5 Meter 6 to12 Meter

Excavation in land up to300mm depth2.2 Meter 6 Meter

Construction near 11KV to 33KV Line2.2 Meter 6 Meter

Construction near 33KV to 66KV Line6 Meter 9 Meter

Construction near 66KV and more8 Meter 12 Meter

Wire Fence near 1KV to 66KV Line2.2 Meter 2.2 Meter

Wire Fence near 66KV and more5 Meter 5 Meter

Min Safe Distance for Tower Carin near Electrical Tower:

Description of Clearance Distance (Min)

Mobile Carin movement4.0 Meter

Tower Carin movement4.0 Meter

Carin movement4.0 Meter

Moving Activity above height of Tower4.0 Meter

Hedge Cutter movement4.0 Meter

Min Safe Vertical Distance above Railway Track:

Description of Clearance Distance (Min)

Earthed conductors5.5 Meter

Stay wires5.5 Meter

Conductors up to 33 kV6.5 Meter

Conductors above 33 kV to 220 kV7.5 Meter

Conductors above 220 kV.8 Meter

Min Distance between two Conductors on Same Supports:

High Voltage Circuit High Voltage CircuitDistance between

circuits(min)

Up to 33 KV Up to 1KV 1.0 Meter

Up to 33 KV More than 1KV 1.2 Meter

33 KV to 110 KV Up to 1KV 1.5 Meter

33 KV to 110 KV More than 1KV 2.0 Meter

More than 110 KV All 2.5 Meter

Min Distance between two Conductors on Different Supports:

High Voltage Circuit Distance (min)

Up to 1 KV 0.6 Meter



110 KV 2.4 Meter

More than 220 KV 2.8 Meter

Min Safety Distance from Electrical Apparatuses:

Description of Clearance Distance (min)

Passage In front of Metal Clad Switchgear (UP to HV) 1.0 Meter wide 2.5 Height

Passage In rear or side of Metal Clad Switchgear (UP to HV) 1.0 Meter wide 2.2 Height

Passage at any side of Metal Clad Switch gear containing Bare

conductor (UP to HV)0.8 Meter wide 2.2 Height

Min Approach Distance for Non-Competent Person near exposed Live Parts:

Voltage Distance (min)

Below 110 kV 4.0 Meter

220 kV and above 6.0 Meter

Min Approach Distance for Competent Person near exposed Live Parts:

Voltage Distance (min)

Below 1 kV 0.5 Meter

11 kV 1.5 Meter

22 kV 2.0 Meter

33 kV 2.5 Meter

66 kV 3.0 Meter

110 kV 4.0 Meter

220 kV and above 6.0 Meter


Standard: Western Power Company.

Water Safely Clearance on Electrical Fires:

VoltageMinimum distances between a nozzle producing a fog stream

of fresh water and a live conductor

Up to 750 V 1.5 Meter

750 V to 15 KV 4.0 Meter


Minimum Approach Distance for Authorized Person:

This is the minimum distance that must be maintained by a person, vehicle or mobile plant.

VoltageDistance (min)


1 V to 6.6 KV 0.7 Meter

6.6 KV to 11 KV 0.7 Meter







Minimum Approach Distance for Ordinary Person:

VoltageDistance (min)


1 V to 6.6 KV 3.0 Meter

6.6 KV to 11 KV 3.0 Meter







Minimum Approach Distance for Vehicle & Plant for Ordinary Person:

Voltage

Distance (min)

Mobile Plant Vehicle

Up to 1 KV 3.0 Meter 0.6 Meter

1 V to 6.6 KV 3.0 Meter 0.9Meter

6.6 KV to 11 KV 3.0 Meter 0.9Meter

11 KV to 22 KV 3.0 Meter 0.9Meter

22 KV to 33 KV 3.0 Meter 0.9Meter

33 KV to 66 KV 3.0 Meter 2.1 Meter




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Safety Clearance