Chapter PSC 114

PSC 114.202   Application of rules.

PSC 114.210   Referenced sections.

PSC 114.215   Grounding of circuits, supporting structures, and equipment.

PSC 114.219   Marking of poles and structures carrying high voltage supply lines.

PSC 114.230   General.

PSC 114.231   Clearance of supporting structures from other objects.

PSC 114.232   Vertical clearances of wires, conductors, cables, and equipment above ground, roadway, rail, or water surfaces.

PSC 114.234   Clearance of wires, conductors, cables, and equipment from buildings, bridges, rail cars, swimming pools, and other installations.

PSC 114.235   Clearance for wires, conductors, or cables carried on the same supporting structure.

PSC 114.242   Grades of construction for conductors.

PSC 114.250   General loading requirements and maps.

PSC 114.253   Load factors for structures, cross arms, support hardware, guys, foundations, and anchors.

PSC 114.302   Application of rules.

PSC 114.310   Referenced sections.

PSC 114.317   Outdoor location of oil-insulated padmounted transformers near buildings.

PSC 114.350   General.

PSC 114.352   Installation.

PSC 114.353   Deliberate separations—Equal to or greater than 300 mm (12 in) from underground structures or other cables.

PSC 114.354   Random separation — separation less than 300 mm (12 in) from underground structures or other cables.

PSC 114.381   Design.

PSC 114.402   Referenced sections.

PSC 114.410   General requirements.

Ch. PSC 114 Note Note 2: Chapter PSC 114 as it existed on April 30, 1991 was repealed and a new chapter PSC 114 was created effective May 1, 1991; Chapter PSC 114 as it existed on December 31, 1993, was repealed and a new chapter PSC 114 was created effective January 1, 1994. Chapter PSC 114 as it existed on September 30, 1997 was repealed and a new chapter PSC 114 was created effective October 1, 1997. Corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., 6. and 7., Stats., Register, September, 1997, No. 501. Chapter PSC 114 as it existed on June 30, 2003 was repealed and a new chapter PSC 114 was created effective July 1, 2003. Chapter PSC 114 as it existed on January 31, 2008, was repealed and a new chapter PSC 114 was created Register January 2008 No. 625, effective February 1, 2008. Chapter PSC 114 as it existed on June 30, 2014, was repealed and a new chapter PSC 114 was created Register June 2014 No. 702, effective July 1, 2014.

subch. I of ch. PSC 114 Subchapter I — Administration and Enforcement

PSC 114.001 PSC 114.001 Definitions and general information.

PSC 114.001(1) (1) Definitions. In this chapter:

PSC 114.001(1)(a) (a) “Commission” means the public service commission.

PSC 114.001(1)(b) (b) “Ordinary high water mark” has the meaning given in s. NR 115.03 (6).

PSC 114.001(1)(c) (c) “Utility” means “public utility” as defined in s. 196.01 (5), Stats.

PSC 114.001(2) (2) Administrative authorities. The Wisconsin State Electrical Code is issued and administered by the commission and the department of safety and professional services, division of safety and buildings as part of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. The commission has primary responsibility for issuance and administration of Volume 1 as found in this chapter. The department of safety and professional services, division of safety and buildings has similar responsibility for issuance and administration of Volume 2 which is found in ch. SPS 316.

PSC 114.001(3) (3) Availability of state electrical code. The commission has adopted the 2017 edition of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC-2017) with certain deletions, changes and additions which are found in Volume 1, Wisconsin State Electrical Code. Copies of the NESC may be purchased from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., IEEE Service Center, 445 Hoes Lane, P.O. Box 1331, Piscataway, NJ 08855-1331 (telephone [phone]-IEEE) or the American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018 (telephone [phone]). Copies of the NESC may be ordered online at http://standards.ieee.org/nesc. Copies of Volume 1, Wisconsin State Electrical Code, may be ordered from the Wisconsin Department of Administration, Document Sales, 202 S. Thornton Avenue, Madison, WI 53702 (telephone [phone]). Unofficial copies of the rules can be obtained online at http://docs.legis.wi.gov/code/admin_code/psc/114/.

PSC 114.001 Note Note 2: The department of safety and professional services, division of safety and buildings, has similarly adopted the National Electrical Code (NEC) with certain deletions, changes and additions which are found in Volume 2, Wisconsin State Electrical Code. Copies of Volume 2, Wisconsin State Electrical Code, may be ordered from the Wisconsin Department of Administration, Document Sales, 202 S. Thornton Avenue, Madison, WI 53702. See ch. SPS 316 for current availability information for the NEC.

PSC 114.001 History History: CR 07-021: cr. Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08; correction in (1) made (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats., Register January 2012 No. 673; correction in (2) made (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register. CR 13-039: r. and recr. Register June 2014 No. 702, eff. 7-1-14; CR 18-007: am. (3) Register February 2020 No. 770, eff. 3-1-20.

PSC 114.002 PSC 114.002 Purpose and scope.

PSC 114.002(1) (1) Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is the practical safeguarding of persons during the installation, operation or maintenance of electric supply and communication lines and their associated equipment. This chapter contains basic provisions considered necessary for the safety of employees and the public. This chapter is not intended as a design specification or an instruction manual.

PSC 114.002(2) (2) Scope.

PSC 114.002(2)(a) (a) This chapter applies to supply and communications lines, equipment, and associated work practices employed by an electric supply, communication, railway, or similar utility in the exercise of its function as a utility. In addition, this chapter prohibits the location of buildings, structures, and equipment and prohibits materials storage and change of grade, by any person in violation of the clearance requirements of this chapter. This chapter has also been adopted by the department of safety and professional services as part of Volume 2, Wisconsin State Electrical Code, for application to installations over 600 volts of parties other than utilities.

PSC 114.002(2)(b) (b) This chapter applies to utility facilities and functions up to the service point.

PSC 114.002(2)(c) (c) This chapter applies to street and area lights, supplied by underground or overhead conductors, under the exclusive control of utilities, including their authorized contractors, and municipal electrical departments.

PSC 114.002(2)(d) (d) This chapter does not apply to installations in mines, ships, railway rolling equipment, aircraft, or automotive equipment, or utilization wiring except as covered in Parts 1 and 3, NESC-2017.

PSC 114.002 History History: CR 07-021: cr. Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08; correction in (2) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register January 2012 No. 673; CR 13-039: r. and recr. Register June 2014 No. 702, eff. 7-1-14; CR 18-007: am. (2) (d) Register February 2020 No. 770, eff. 3-1-20.

PSC 114.003 PSC 114.003 Authority and statutory references.

PSC 114.003(1) (1) Statutory authority. Volume 1, Wisconsin State Electrical Code, constitutes a general order of the commission authorized by ss. 196.74 and 227.11, Stats.

PSC 114.003(2) (2) Compliance with electric code.

PSC 114.003(2)(a) (a) A utility must obtain proof of compliance with Volumes 1 and 2 of the Wisconsin State Electrical Code before energizing service. Proof of such compliance shall consist of a certificate furnished by a municipal or other recognized inspection department or officer, or if there is no such inspection department or officer it shall consist of a written statement furnished by the contractor or other person doing the wiring, indicating that there has been such compliance.

PSC 114.003(2)(b) (b) A utility shall comply with Volume 1, Wisconsin State Electrical Code when providing electric service.

PSC 114.003 Note Note 2: The authority for the enforcement of Volume 1, Wisconsin State Electrical Code, is vested in the commission with respect to the installation and operation of circuits or equipment by public utilities and railroads in the exercise of their functions as utilities and railroads.

PSC 114.003(3) (3) Other requirements.

PSC 114.003(3)(a) (a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to deprive a municipality of jurisdiction over utilities, places of employment or public buildings, except that no local requirements shall be less stringent than the requirements in this chapter.

PSC 114.003 Note Note 2: See s. 196.58, Stats.

PSC 114.003(3)(b) (b) A utility may seek commission approval of requirements covering an area related to the subject matter of this chapter that is not specifically addressed by this chapter or the NESC, but such requirements must be acceptable and not less stringent than the requirements of this chapter.

PSC 114.003 Note Note 2: See s. 196.19, Stats. Also, there are state statutes that refer directly to certain electrical construction. Some of these are: ss. 66.0831, 86.16, 134.41, 182.017, 182.0175, 182.018, 196.171, 196.58, 196.67, 196.72, and 941.40, Stats.

PSC 114.003(4) (4) Complaints. If a complaint is filed with the commission by any interested party to the effect that public safety requires changes in construction or methods of operation, the commission shall investigate and make recommendations.

PSC 114.003 Note Note 2: See s. 196.74, Stats., for procedure if changes in utility facilities are necessary.

PSC 114.003(5) (5) Enforcement. The requirements in the code are enforceable in the same manner as other orders of the commission.

PSC 114.003 Note Note 2: See ss. 102.57, 102.58, 195.07, 196.41, 196.64, 196.66, 196.74, and ch. 227, Stats.

PSC 114.003 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.

subch. II of ch. PSC 114 Subchapter II — General Requirements

PSC 114.004 PSC 114.004 General requirements.

PSC 114.004(1) (1) Character of construction, maintenance and operation. All electrical power and communication equipment and lines shall be of such construction, and so installed, operated, and maintained as to minimize the loss of life and fire hazard.

PSC 114.004(2) (2) Construction, inspection and repairs.

PSC 114.004(2)(a) (a) All construction and equipment shall be cleaned when necessary and inspected at such intervals as experience has shown to be necessary. Any equipment or construction known to be defective so as to endanger life or property shall be promptly repaired, permanently disconnected, or isolated until repairs can be made. Construction, repairs, additions and changes to electrical equipment and conductors shall be made by qualified persons only.

PSC 114.004(2)(b) (b) Facilities installed or used in the generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization of electricity shall be designed for such installation or use.

PSC 114.004 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 114.005 PSC 114.005 Application of rules.

PSC 114.005(1) (1) New installations and extensions.

PSC 114.005(1)(a) (a) This chapter shall apply in full to all new installations, reconstructions, alterations and extensions, except as modified or waived by the commission under par. (b).

PSC 114.005(1)(b) (b) Waiving rules. The commission may modify or waive these rules in particular cases when rules are shown for any reason to be impractical or if equivalent safety is secured in other ways.

PSC 114.005(2) (2) Existing installations.

PSC 114.005(2)(a) (a) Where an existing installation meets, or is altered to meet these rules, such installation is considered to be in compliance with this edition and is not required to comply with any previous edition.

PSC 114.005(2)(b) (b) Existing installations, including maintenance replacements, which comply with prior editions of the code, need not be modified to comply with these rules except as may be directed for safety reasons by the commission and within the time the commission determines.

PSC 114.005(2)(c) (c) Where a utility adds, alters, or replaces conductors or equipment on an existing structure, the structure or the facilities on the structure need not be modified or replaced if the resulting installation will be in compliance with the rules in effect at one of the following times:

PSC 114.005(2)(c)1. 1. At the time of the original installation.

PSC 114.005(2)(c)2. 2. At the time of an addition, alteration, or replacement.

PSC 114.005(2)(c)3. 3. Currently, in accordance with par. (a).

PSC 114.005(4) (4) Temporary installations. Modifying or waiving certain of the rules will sometimes be necessary in case of temporary installations or installations which are shortly to be dismantled or reconstructed. Such temporary construction may be used for a reasonable length of time without fully complying with this code, provided it is under competent supervision while it or adjoining equipment is energized or if it is protected by suitable barriers or warning signs when accessible to any person; but all such construction shall be made reasonably safe.

PSC 114.005(5) (5) Testing. Rooms which are used exclusively for routine or special electrical test work, and therefore are under the supervision of a qualified person, need comply with this code only insofar as is practical for the character of the testing done.

PSC 114.005(6) (6) Emergency. In case of emergency the person responsible for the installation may modify or waive any requirement of this chapter, subject to review by the commission, even should an application be pending before the commission for a requested emergency related modification or waiver.

PSC 114.005(7) (7) Intent.

PSC 114.005(7)(a) (a) The word “shall” indicates provisions that are mandatory.

PSC 114.005(7)(b) (b) The word “should” indicates provisions that are normally and generally practical for the specified conditions. However, where the word “should” is used, it is recognized that, in certain instances, additional local conditions not specified herein may make these provisions impractical. When this occurs, the difference in conditions shall be appropriately recognized and s. PSC 114.002 shall be met.

PSC 114.005(7)(c) (c) A footnote to a table has the force and effect required or allowed by the rule that specifies the use of the table.

PSC 114.005(7)(d) (d) Exceptions to a rule have the same force and effect required or allowed by the rule to which the exception applies.

PSC 114.005(7)(e) (e) The word “RECOMMENDATION” indicates provisions considered desirable, but that are not intended to be mandatory.

PSC 114.005(7)(f) (f) The word “NOTE” or the word “EXAMPLE” used in a rule indicates material provided for information or illustrative purposes only. “NOTES” and “EXAMPLES” are not mandatory and are not considered to be a part of Code requirements.

PSC 114.005(7)(g) (g) A “RECOMMENDATION,” “EXCEPTION,” or “NOTE” applies to all text in that rule above its location that is indented to the same level.

PSC 114.005(8) (8) Applications not specifically addressed. For all applications not specifically addressed in these rules, the design, construction, operations, and maintenance shall be done in accordance with accepted good practice for the given local conditions known at the time.

PSC 114.005 History History: CR 07-021: cr. Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08; CR13-039: r. and recr. Register June 2014 No. 702, eff. 7-1-14.