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	Subject - Overhead conductor clearances for swimming pools kpp Per the NEC handbook in section 680-8 it is pertaining to pool installation near overhead lines. My question is, is that 22 foot clearance for electric lines only or does it also apply to cable tv coax and telephone cable? The Cable and Telephone lines are much lower than the electrical. Thanks, Kevin Scott Vickrey The 22.5 feet clearance over the pool surface or diving platform is for electrical lines 0-750 volts to ground and network powered broadband communication systems. The clearance for all other communications systems is 10 feet over the pool surface or diving platform. Don't forget these clearances requirements extend 10 feet from the inside wall of the pool in all directions. kpp Scott, to verify what you are saying is that telephone drop lines and cable tv coax is part of the 22 foot requirement. What other communication lines would fall into the 10 foot requirement? Scott Vickrey The applicable section of the NEC is 680.8(B). Telephone and CATV lines fall into the 10 feet requirement. Other sytems that fall into this catagory are stated in the scope sections of articles 800, 810 and 820. Some examples are telephone wire, telegraph wire, fire and burgular alarm wiring, antenna(dish) and wiring for radio and television, and CATV lines. kpp Thanks for the clarification! i am trying to get a permit for a pool and the village is telling me per the NEC 680-8 that telephone and cable tv fall into the 22 foot category. like I mentioned earlier the cable and telephone lines that are running between poles are only 12 feet up from grade. when you compute the pythagorean formula that would place the edge of the pool/water line to 20 feet horizontally away from the telephone pole/property line to accomodate a 22 foot distance in any direction to a line on the pole. Scott Vickrey As I mentioned in the earlier post. When determining clearances you need to concider the pool as being 10 feet wider than it actually is. Picture it this way, measure 10 feet from the pools inside wall and imagine a line that extends from that point vertically. Anything run outside of this area is not subject to the clearance requirements of article 860.8. Everything that enters the measured area is. See Table 680.8 Item C. Word to the wise: The authority having jurisdiction in your area(normally the electrical inspector) can override the code and have the last laugh. So don't make them resent you. kpp I agree about upsetting someone. I am just trying to understand the NEC guidlines that the village is imposing. I'll try to draw out the scenario albeit a crude one. This is a diagram that the added to the permit application. X 22 ft/ XXX (c)/ X / X |~~~~~~~~~|/ (a)X | | X | Pool | X telephone pole | | (b) X -------------------------------------- How they are looking at section table 680-8(a)is that from the edge of your pool at the top(waterline) and measure at an angle up to the lowest line on the pole must be at a minimum of 22 feet. so then to figure out the distance horizontally the pool would would be from the pole is by using the formula a(squared) + b(squared) = C(squared) I my case it equates to: a(9ft) + b(20ft) = c(20ft) . That seems to be an excessive amount to be away from the property line where the poles run. kpp never mind....the picture didn't send correctly. Scott Vickrey Images Note: You can link to an online picture or, you can send me the image and I'll put it on our server. That goes to show you how the code is interpreted differently from person to person. The clearances are stated in minmum heights not minimum distances. kpp Thanks Scott. So if my if they are only using the 1999 edition I am kinda of stuck with a 'bad' limitation. Is it possible for a village to use different versions of the NEC where they use one version for pool installations and another version for other applications? Scott Vickrey If you have a side of 9' and a base of 20' the hypotenuse = 21.93' Did you use a plumbob? kpp Scott I have sent you the drawing and the NEC document that I received from my village. Look at it and let me know your thoughts with respects to their interpretation to the 680-8 code. Scott Vickrey Ok, I recieved them. First I need to correct my mistake. The code does say in any direction. The code they sent you is from the 1999 NEC Handbook. They should now be using the 2002 NEC. Unless your area has not yet ratified the 2002 edition. The 2002 edition has redefined the communication systems more clearly and has added to what falls into the 10' rule. See article 680.8 section(B). Check your local ordinances there should be one where they are officially adopting the 2002 NEC. Scott Vickrey If they are the autority then they can do whatever they want but, I have never seen what you mentioned.