B. Noncombustible Walls
Padmounted oil-insulated transformers may be located directly next to noncombustible walls if the following clearances are maintained from doors, windows and other building openings.
1. Padmounted oil-insulated transformers shall not be located within a zone extending 6.1 m (20 ft) outward and 3.0 m (10 ft) to either side of a building door. See Figure PSC 114-317B1.
Figure PSC 114-317B1.
2. Padmounted oil-insulated transformers shall not be located within a zone extending 3.0 m (10 ft) outward and 3.0 m (10 ft) to either side of an air intake opening. Such transformers may be located within said zone beneath an air intake opening provided there is not less than 7.6 m (25 ft) diagonal separation between the transformer and said opening. See Figure PSC 114-317B2.
Figure PSC 114-317B2.
3.a. Padmounted oil-insulated transformers shall not be located within a zone extending 3.0 m (10 ft) outward and 0.9 m (3 ft) to either side of a building window or opening other than an air intake. See Figure PSC 114-317B3a.
PSC 114.317 Note
Exception: This does not apply to a glass block or fire window meeting the requirements of the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (Fire Window IBC Chapter
7, Section 714.3).
Figure PSC 114-317B3a.
3.b. For second story windows, the transformer shall not be located less than 1.5 m (5 ft) from any part of the window. See Figure PSC 317B3b.
PSC 114.317 Note
Exception: This does not apply to a glass block or fire window meeting the requirements of the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (Fire Window, IBC Chapter
7, Section 714.3).
Figure PSC 114-317 B3b.
C. Combustible Walls
1. Padmounted oil-insulated transformers in sizes up to and including 100 kVA shall be located according to the provisions set forth in Subsection B for noncombustible walls.
2. Padmounted oil-insulated transformers in sizes above 100 kVA shall be located a minimum of 3.0 m (10 ft) from the building wall in addition to the clearances from building doors, windows and other openings set forth for noncombustible walls.
D. Barriers
If the clearances specified in PSC 114.317 cannot be obtained, a fire-resistant barrier may be constructed in lieu of the required separation. The following methods of construction are acceptable:
1. Noncombustible Walls
The barrier shall extend to a projection line from the corner of the padmounted transformer to the furthest corner of the window, door or opening in question. The height of the barrier shall be 0.3 m (1 ft) above the top of the padmounted transformer. See Figure PSC 114-317D1.
Figure PSC 114-317D1.
2. Combustible Walls
The barrier shall extend 0.9 m (3 ft) beyond each side of the padmounted transformer. The height of the barrier shall be 0.3 m (1 ft) above the top of the transformer. See Figure PSC 114-317D2.
Figure PSC 114-317D2.
E. Fire Escapes
1. Padmounted oil-insulated transformers shall not be located within a zone extending 6.1 m (20 ft) outward and 3 m (10 ft) to either side of the point where a fire escape meets the ground. See Figure PSC 114-317E1.
2. Padmounted oil-insulated transformers located beneath fire escapes shall have a vertical clearance of not less than 3 m (10 ft) from the top of the transformer to the bottom of the fire escape. See Figure PSC 114-317E2.
Figure PSC 114-317E1
Figure PSC 114-317E2
Section 35. Direct-Buried Cable
PSC 114.350
PSC 114.350
General. [NESC 350F, p. 263] (Change) Change paragraph F to read:
F. All direct-buried jacketed supply cable meeting Rule 350B and all direct-buried communication cables shall be legibly marked as follows:
The appropriate identification symbol shown in Fig 350-1 shall be indented or embossed in the outermost cable jacket at a spacing of not more than 1m (40 in). The symbol may be separate or sequentially combined with other data, or symbols, or both, printed on the jacket. If the symbol is sequentially combined, it shall be separated as indicated in Fig 350-1. If optional supplemental striping is used, only supply cables or non-metallic duct containing or intended to contain supply cables may have three equally separated longitudinal red stripes.
This rule applies to cable installed on or after January 1, 1996.
PSC 114.350 Note
Exception 1: Cables with jackets that cannot be effectively marked in accordance with Rules 350F need not be marked.
PSC 114.350 Note
Exception 2: Unmarked cable from stock existing prior to 1 January 1996 may be used to repair unmarked direct-buried jacketed supply cables and communication cables.
PSC 114.350 History
History: CR 07-021: cr.
Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 13-039: r. and recr.
Register June 2014 No. 702, eff. 7-1-14; PSC 114.350 renum. from PSC 114.350F under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats.,
Register March 2015 No. 711;
CR 18-007: am. (intro.) Register February 2020 No. 770, eff. 3-1-20.
PSC 114.352
PSC 114.352
Installation. Table PSC 114.352-1 [NESC Table 352-1, p. 266] Supply cable, conductor, or duct burial depth (Change and Addition)
PSC 114.352(1)
(1) Change the present “Exception" after the table to “Exception 1".
PSC 114.352 Note
Exception 2: Installations of insulated secondary underground cables operating at less than 600 volts between conductors shall be permitted to be laid on the ground during winter months provided they are suitably protected.
PSC 114.352 Note
Note 2: Grounding and bonding conductors are covered by Rule 093.
PSC 114.352 History
History: CR 07-021: cr.
Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 13-039: r. and recr.
Register June 2014 No. 702, eff. 7-1-14; cr. PSC 114.352 (title) under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., number (1) to (3) under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats.,
Register March 2015 No. 711; correction in (intro.) under s.
35.17, Stats.,
Register June 2015 No. 714;
CR 18-007: am. (intro.) Register February 2020 No. 770, eff. 3-1-20.
PSC 114.353
PSC 114.353
Deliberate separations—Equal to or greater than 300 mm (12 in) from underground structures or other cables. [Follows NESC 353D, p. 267] (Addition) Following NESC 353D, add the following paragraph E to read:
E. Gas lines
The separation in any direction of gas pipelines from direct- buried electric supply and communication facilities shall be a minimum of 0.3 m (12 in).
PSC 114.353 Note
Exception: If this clearance cannot be attained, the gas line shall be protected from damage that might result from the proximity of the electric supply or communication direct-buried system.
PSC 114.353 History
History: CR 07-021: cr.
Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 13-039: r. and recr.
Register June 2014 No. 702, eff. 7-1-14; renum. PSC 114.353 from PSC 114.353E under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats.,
Register March 2015 No. 711;
CR 18-007: am. (intro.) Register February 2020 No. 770, eff. 3-1-20.
PSC 114.354
PSC 114.354
Random separation — separation less than 300 mm (12 in) from underground structures or other cables. PSC 114.354(1)(1)
Supply and communication cables or conductors. [NESC 354D1g, p. 268] (Change) Change paragraph g to read:
g. Adequate bonding shall be provided between the effectively grounded supply conductor or conductors and the communication cable shield or sheath at intervals that should not exceed 300 m (1,000 ft). At each above or below grade transformer or above or below grade pedestal, all existing grounds shall be interconnected. These include the primary neutral, secondary neutral, power cable shield, metal duct, or sheath and communication cable sheath. Communication protectors, communication service cable shields and secondary neutrals shall be connected to a common ground at each customer's service entrance when communication circuits are underground without separation from power conductors.
PSC 114.354(2)
(2) Insulating jacketed effectively grounded neutral supply cables. [NESC 354D3b Exception, p. 269] (Omission) The exception in Rule 354D3b of the NESC-2017 is omitted and not incorporated as part of the Wisconsin State Electrical Code, Volume 1.
PSC 114.354(3)
(3) Supply and Communication cables or conductors and non-metalic water and sewer lines. [NESC 354E, p. 269] (Change) Change paragraph E to read:
E. Supply and communication cables or conductors, foundations and water and sewer lines.
1. Supply cables and conductors and water and sewer lines or foundations may be buried together with no deliberate separation between facilities and at the same depth, provided all parties involved are in agreement.
2. Communication cables and conductors and water and sewer lines or foundations may be buried together with no deliberate separation between facilities and at the same depth, provided all parties involved are in agreement.
3. Supply cables or conductors, communication cables or conductors, water and sewer lines or foundations may be buried together with no deliberate separation between facilities and at the same depth, provided the applicable rules in Rule 354D are met and all parties involved are in agreement.
PSC 114.354 History
History: CR 07-021: cr.
Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 13-039: r. and recr.
Register June 2014 No. 702, eff. 7-1-14; renum. PSC 114.354 from PSC 114.354D1g under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., cr. (1) (title) under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., number (1) and renum. (2) from PSC 114.354E under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats.,
Register March 2015 No. 711;
CR 18-007: r. and recr. Register February 2020 No. 770, eff. 3-1-20.
Section 38. Equipment
PSC 114.381
PSC 114.381
Design. [Follows NESC 381G, p. 273] (Addition) Following NESC 381G, add paragraph H to read:
H. Warning signs
1. Where a padmounted transformer, switchgear, pedestal, or similar above-grade enclosure is not within a fenced or other protected area and contains live parts in excess of 600 volts, a permanent and conspicuous warning sign shall be provided on the outside of the enclosure which meets the requirements as to format and color of American National Standards Institute standard ANSI Z535.1-2011, ANSI Z535.2-2011, ANSI Z535.3-2011, ANSI Z535.4-2011, and ANSI Z535.5-2011 for safety signs.
2. Electric supply equipment installed prior to July 1, 2003 shall be signed to comply with these rules or the rule in effect in 2003. Warning signs installed as replacements or installed on new facilities shall comply with the standard as prescribed in s.
PSC 114.381H1 above. The “Mr. Ouch" symbol may be used as the optional pictorial part of this sign.
PSC 114.381 History
History: CR 07-021: cr.
Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 13-039: r. and recr.
Register June 2014 No. 702, eff. 7-1-14; renum. PSC 114.381 from PSC 114.381H under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats.,
Register March 2015 No. 711;
CR 18-007: am. (intro.) Register February 2020 No. 770, eff. 3-1-20.
Part 4. Work Rules for the Operation of Electric Supply and Communications Lines and Equipment
Section 40. Purpose and Scope
PSC 114.402
PSC 114.402
Referenced sections. [NESC 402, p. 277] (Change) Change first sentence of NESC Rule 402 to read:
The Introduction (Section 1) as amended by s.
PSC 114.010, Definitions (Section 2) as amended by Section 2 of Chapter
PSC 114, List of Referenced Documents (Section 3), and Grounding Methods (Section 9) as amended by Section 9 of Chapter
PSC 114, shall apply to the requirements of Part 4.
Section 41. Supply and Communications Systems—
Rules for Employers
PSC 114.410
PSC 114.410
General requirements. [Follows NESC 410A3b Note 5, p.279] (Addition) Add the following clarifying note to Rule 410A3b:
PSC 114.410 Note
Note 6: It is the intent of this rule that the facility owner and equipment owner cooperate to provide the necessary arc assessment of their respective areas of responsibility where work is to be performed. Either the facility owner or the equipment owner may request the appropriate information from the other party and perform the assessment on behalf of the other.
