NS145

NS145: Asset Inspection - Overhead Power Lines and Poles

Describes the routine inspection, assessment and treatment procedures for overhead lines and poles, lighting standards / columns, lightning masts and water crossing sign supports.

Scope

This Network Standard outlines the requirements for the overhead line inspection process (previously detailed in NS166 Routine Overhead Line Inspection) and the inspection and treatment process for poles owned by Ausgrid or maintained by Ausgrid and are aligned with the ‘combined’ inspection requirements of Ausgrid Maintenance Standard OH0105. This Network Standard also outlines the serviceability criteria for poles. Pole types include timber poles, reinforced poles, concrete poles, steel poles, a variety of composite poles, lighting standards, lightning masts and posts supporting water crossing signs. Private poles installed under Rural Subsidy Schemes are included in the scope of this document. Relevant tasks from this Standard may be substituted by performing Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) of timber poles. 

The primary objectives of this document are to: 

• Ensure a consistent approach to the inspection of overhead lines.
• Ensure a consistent approach for the inspection and preservative treatment of poles.
• Ensure a consistent approach for the treatment of termites in timber poles or corrosion of steel poles.
• Provide the serviceability criteria for those poles. 

This standard does not include requirements for overhead lines or poles which are not owned by Ausgrid (e.g. for private mains and private poles as detailed in Network Standard NS262 and common-use poles) or steel towers – these are excluded from the requirements of this document and shall not be inspected or treated, unless detailed in other Network Standards, Maintenance Standards or contract documentation.