User's Manual of Construction: Power Grid Corporation of India Limited

FOR INTERNAL CIRCULATION ONLY
user’s manual
of
Construction
(part one)
Transmission Lines
Volume-1
Line Survey
Construction Management
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
(A Government of India Enterprise)
DOCUMENT CODE NO. : CM/LS/LINE SURVEY/96 JUNE, 1996

FROM THE DESK
OF
DIRECTOR (PERSONNEL)
Four “M’s” viz. men, material, machine & money are vital to run an organization.
However the key to success of the organization lies the way our employees structure
and manage the construction, operation and maintenance activities of transmission
system. Construction activitiy in transmission system is an important aspect and time,
quality and cost are it’s critical parameters.
Experience, no doubt, is a great teacher and a valuable asset. However, the knowledge
of underlined principles of sound working is also equally important. Preparation of these
user’s manuals is the work of our experienced senior field staff and I find these to be
very useful to our site personnel.
These manuals for transmission lines (Vol. 1 2 & 4) alongwith SFQP (Vol. 1) will be of
immense help to our line staff to manage their resources in a more efficient and
systematic way to achieve high quality and reduced time.
I find sincere efforts have gone into preparation of these manuals for which I
congratulate Construction Management team and I am sure the authors will continue
their efforts to bring out more and more such manuals.
(R.P. SINGH)
CONTENTS
CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION
PAGE NO.
1.0 GENERAL 1
1.1 LINE SURVEY 2
1.2 BEE LINE 2
1.3 PLOTTING OF ROUTE ON TOPOMAP 3
1.4 CHOICE OF ROUTE 3
1.5 RECCE SURVEY 6
1.6 TRANSPORT LIMITATIONS 7
1.7 LOCAL LAWS 7
1.8 TYPE OF TOWERS 7
1.9 TOWER GEOMETRY, CONDUCTOR CONFIGURATION & 8
CLEARANCES
1.10 MINIMUM GROUND CLEARANCE 11
1.11 COMPLIANCE WITH INDIAN ELECTRICITY RULES & 12
OTHER AUTHORITIES REGULATIONS
1.12 ENVIRONMENT 12
1.13 AESTHETICS 14
1.14 ACCURACY 14
CHAPTER-2
PRELIMINARY SURVEY
PAGE NO.
2.1 SCOPE OF WORK 15
2.2 RECONNAISSANCE 15
2.3 WALKOVER SURVEY 17
2.4 SELECTION OF BEST POSSIBLE ROUTE 18
2.5 PRELIMINARY SURVEY 20
2.6 VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS USED IN SURVEY AND THEIR 21
ACCURACIES
2.7 MEASUREMENT AND ACCURACIES 22
2.8 ADJUSTMENT OF SURVEY INSTRUMENTS 23
2.9 CHAINING AND LEVELLING OF LINE OF ROUTE 28
2.10 REDUCING OF LEVEL FIGURES 30
2.11 TACOMETRY 32
2.12 PRINCIPLE OF STADIA 33
2.13 TRIANGULATION 34
2.14 MARKING OF TREES FOR FELLING AND LOPPING 35
2.15 SOIL RESISTIVITY DATA 36
2.16 SUB SOIL DATA 37
2.17 IDENTIFICATION MARKS 38
2.18 MANPOWER AND TRANSPORT FACILITIES SURVEY 39
CHAPTER-3
CROSSINGS
PAGE NO.
3.0 MAJOR CROSSINGS AND CIVIL AND MILITARY 40
ESTABLISHMENTS
3.1 RIVER CROSSING 41
3.2 RAILWAY CROSSING 44
3.3 NATIONAL HIGHWAY/ROAD CROSSING 48
3.4 POWERLINE CROSSING 50
3.5 COMMUNICATION LINE CROSSING 52
3.6 AERODROMES, RADAR STATIONS, RIFLE RANGES AND 54
HELIPADS
3.7 FOREST CROSSING 58
3.8 GENERAL 58
CHAPTER-4
PRELIMINARY SURVEY REPORT
PAGE NO.
4.0 CONTENTS OF PRELIMINARY SURVEY REPORT 60
4.1 SCHEDULE OF ANGLE POINTS 61
4.2 ROUTE ALIGNMENT MAPS 61
4.3 SCHEDULE OF VARIOUS TYPES OF TOWERS 62
4.4 INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES AVAILABLE 64
4.5 SKETCH OF ANGLE POINTS 65
4.6 ESTIMATE OF LINE MATERIALS 65
CHAPTER-5
DETAILED SURVEY
PAGE NO.
5.1 LEVELLING 76
5.2 PLAN AND PROFILE 80
5.2.1 TOWER SPOTTING AND SAG TEMPLATE 82
5.3 CHECKING OF PROFILE DRAWINGS 87
5.4 CHECK SURVEY 90
5.5 FINAL ALIGNMENT AND PEGGING OF LOCATIONS 91
5.6 TRIAL PIT EXCAVATION REPORT 93
CHAPTER-6
A WORD ON RULING SPAN, SAG TEMPLATE &
TOWER SPOTTING
PAGE NO.
6.1 INTRODUCTION 96
6.2 DESIGN SPAN LENGTHS 97
6.3 TOWER CONFIGURATIONS 101
6.4 SAG TEMPLATE 103
6.5 TOWER SPOTTING 107
CHAPTER-7
KNOWLEDGE OF RULES AND PROCEDURES
PAGE NO.
7.1 INDIAN ELECTRICITY RULES, 1956 111
7.2 RULES AND SPECIFICATION LAID DOWN BY 116
RAILWAYS/POWER & TELECOMMUNICATION
COMMITTEE
7.3 FOREST CONSERVATION ACT, 1980 AND 117
ENVIRONMENT RULES
7.4 POST & TELEGRAPH RULES 117
7.5 ROADWAYS, NAVIGATION OR AVIATION AUTHORITIES 117
RULES
7.6 LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES, DEFENCE AUTHORITIES 118
RULES
7.7 CEA RULES 118
CHAPTER-8
TECHNICAL DETAILS OF 400 KV

TRANSMISSION LINE
PAGE NO.
8.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TOWER 130
8.2 SPECIAL TOWER 131
8.3 TOWER EXTENSIONS 131
8.4 LEG EXTENSIONS 131
8.5 ELECTRICAL CLEARANCES 131
8.6 CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE OVERHEAD LINE AND THE 134
RAILWAY TRACK
8.7 WIND SPAN 136
8.8 WEIGHT SPAN 136
8.9 HEAVY WEIGHT SPAN AND NEGATIVE WEIGHT SPANS 136
8.10 TEMPERATURE OF CURRENT CARRYING POWER 137
CONDUCTOR
8.11 TEMPERATURE OF GROUND WIRE 137
8.12 MAXIMUM WIND PRESSURE 137
8.13 CONDUCTORS 137
8.14 EARTHWIRE 137
8.15 INSULATOR STRINGS 137
8.16 HANGER 138
8.17 CLEARANCES 138
8.18 BROKEN WIRE CONDITION 138
8.19 FACTORS OF SAFETY 139
8.20 CONDUCTOR AND EARTHWIRE 139
8.21 TESTS 139
ANNEXURES
I. APPROVAL PROCEDURES 140
II. GUIDELINES 144
CHAPTER-9
GUIDELINES
PAGE NO.
GL-1 RECCE SURVEY 147
GL-2 WALKOVER SURVEY 153
GL-3 PRELIMINARY SURVEY 155
GL-4 DETAILED SURVEY 159
GL-5 ILLUSTRATIONS 165
CHAPTER-10
CHECK FORMAT
PAGE NO.
1. CHECK FORMAT FOR ROUTE CHOICE 166
2. CHECK FORMAT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEY 169
3. CHECK FORMAT FOR DETAILED SURVEY 173
RESUMES
I. OUR TEAM 176
CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION
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CHAPTER
ONE
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INTRODUCTION
Back to contents Page
1.0 General
Electric power is today playing an increasingly
important role in the life of the community and
development of various sectors of economy. Developing
countries like India are therefore giving a high
priority to power development programs. In fact, the
economy is becoming increasingly dependent on
electricity as a basic input.
Transmission facilities provide the means of
connecting the generating capacities to the load
centres. Interconnections of adequate capacities
between individual systems enable interconnected
operation of these systems which provide the key to
various benefits such as use of large, low-cost
generating units, capacity savings due to load
diversity, minimization of reserves, emergency

assistance to individual systems, and efficient
utilisation of the generation and transmission
facilities available in the area as a whole. The grid
development in the country has followed the logical
sequence of unification of power systems within a
state, interconnection of neighbouring state systems,
and linking of systems between the regions.
1.1 Line survey
An EHV Transmission line generally links a Generating
station and a sub-station or two sub-stations or two
Generating stations as may be necessary. The basic
requirement of a transmission line is to carry the
desired bulk power at maximum efficiency and to
achieve this, the line should be of shortest length
feasible, since the line losses are proportional to
the length of the line. Therefore the aim of the
preliminary survey is to explore in the field the
most economical and feasible route of constructing a
particular transmission line. Hence, while selecting
the route one should be fully aware of the
requirements of transmission lines, statutory
provisions, information required to be collected,

prevailing cost of various elements of Transmission
lines etc.
1.2 Bee-line
Bee-line is the shortest distance between the two points of origin of the
transmission line proposed. It is straight line drawn connecting
the two points. Routing the transmission line along
this line may not always be possible due to site
conditions. However, survey should be carried out as
closed to the bee-line as possible keeping in mind of
the other required statutory conditions.
1.3 Plotting of route on topo map :
The latest available topographical maps covering the
area between the two end points of the transmission
line drawn to the scale of 1:50000 (1 cm = 0.5km)
should be procured from Survey of India. A master
mosaic has to be prepared by fixing all the
topographical maps in their respective position and
obtaining a belt width of minimum 10 km (20 cms) on
either side of centre line between the two terminal
points. In the master mosaic, the Bee-line which is

the straight line joining the two terminal points
should be neatly marked with pencil. The Bee-line
joining the two end points will have the shortest
length. It may not be feasible to construct the power
line along the Bee-line due to various technical as
well as site conditions.
1.4 Choice of Route
a) The proposed route of line should be the
shortest practicable distance. The following
factors shall be considered in the choice of the
route :-
i) The route should be short and as straight
as possible.
ii) It is advantageous to lay the line near to
or along roadway. The line should be
approachable. Difficult and unsafe
approaches should be avoided.
iii) The number of angle towers should be minimum
and within these, the number of heavier
angle tower shall be as small as possible.
iv) Cost of securing and clearing right of way

(ROW), making access roads and time required
for these works should be minimum.
v) Corridor through which line is taken should
have sufficient space to take care of future
load developments without major
modifications.
vi) Crossing with permanent objects, such as
railway lines and roads should be minimum
and preferably at right angles. (Reference
shall be made to the appropriate railway
regulations and railway electrification
rules and to civil authorities for
protection to be provided for railway and
road crossings, respectively. Guarding may
not be necessary for fast acting protective
devices are provided.)
vii) In case of hilly terrain having sharp rises
and falls in the ground profiles, it is
necessary to conduct detailed survey and
locate the tower positions. The proposition
should be most economical and safe.
b) The following areas should be avoided as far as
possible while selecting route.

i) Marshy areas, low lying levels, river
beds, earth slip zones, etc. involving
risk to stability of foundation.
ii) Areas subject to floods, gushing nallas
during rainy seasons, ponds, lakes, snow
blizzards, hurricanes or similar extreme
climatic conditions and natural hazards.
iii) Good farming areas, uneven terrain, damage
to public and private properties,
religious places, civil and defence
installations, industries, take off
funnels, habitation of important crops,
quarry sites or underground mines, gardens
and plantations etc.
iv) Areas which will creates of right of way
and way leave problems.
v) Route involving abrupt changes in levels,
too many long spans, river or power line
crossings or near parallelism to
telecommunication lines.
vi) Thick forest or areas involving heavy
compensatory payments for acquisition of
land etc.
vii) Building containing explosives, bulk
storage oil tanks, or gas pipelines etc.
viii) Aerodromes, helipads and their approaches.
1.5 Recce Survey
The Recce survey is also essential for collecting the
first hand account of various important field data
required for transmission line works which are as
under:
i) Major power line crossing details (66 KV and
above)
ii) Railway crossing details.
iii) Major river crossing details.
iv) Sources of construction materials, viz. metal,
sand, water etc. along the line.
v) Important rail heads for the purpose of
receipt of materials.
vi) Important villages or stations coming enroute
for the purpose selection of labour camps.
vi) Nature of soil strata along the route and terrain.
vii) Availability of labour, their present rate on
daily basis or on contract basis.

viii) Names of the major towns for the purpose
of selection of site offices.
For fixing the final alignment and angle points on
the ground as per the reconnaissance survey, route
alignment survey shall be carried out with a
theodolite, survey chains/measuring tapes/electronic
distance measuring instruments.
1.6 Transport limitations :
Information about transport limitation particularly
for the line materials should be obtained from rail,
road or navigation authorities where required. This
may involve procurement of special trailers or
alternatively restricts the size and weight of the
package in uneven terrain where head loading is more
often resorted to :
1.7 Local laws :
The information about the local laws should be
obtained in advance in order that there is no
infringement of prevailing local laws and to ensure

smooth installation, operation and maintenance work.
1.8 Type of towers
i) Suspension/Tangent towers: `A' type (0-2°
angle of deviation). The supports along the
straight run of the line are called tangent
towers on which no angle of deviation is
generally allowed. In special cases subject to
corresponding restriction of the sum of the
adjacent spans, an angle of deviation upto a
maximum of 2o is allowed.
ii) Angle towers : The angle towers are those used
at locations where the line takes an angle of
deviation and these towers are also called
tension towers, since the conductors &
earthwires are tensioned and attached to them
insulating the conductors by suitable tension
insulating strings and hardwares. There are 3
types of Angle towers
a) `B' type tower for deviation of more
than 2o upto 15 o.
b) `C' type tower for deviation of more than

15 o up to 30 o.
c) `D' type tower for deviation of more than
30 o up to 60 o.
1.9 Tower Geometry, conductor configuration & clearances:
The tower geometry and conductor configuration depend
upon whether the tower is for single circuit and
Double circuit. Whereas, the electrical clearances
depend upon the line voltage, size of conductors and
their number in the bundle per phase. Typical out line
drawings in the salient dimensions of 400 kv single
circuit and double circuit towers may be seen at
Figure 1.1 & 1.2.
It can be seen that the single circuit towers are of
waspwaist type in the horizontal configuration of
conductors whereas the double circuit type are with
vertical configuration of conductors of each circuit.
In some lines triangular configuration is also
adopted for each circuit. The normal span of 400 kv
line is 400 metres.
1.9.1 Clearances
1. Phases to phase
400 KV 220 KV 132 KV
11.0 M (Minimum) 5.1M (Minimum 3.96M (Minimum
for single Circuit for double for double
tower with horizontal circuit tower) circuit tower)
configuration.
8.0 M (Minimum for
Double circuit tower)
2. Clearance from live part to nearest part of the tower.
With the suspension insulators with
400 KV 220 KV 132 KV
i) 0o Swing - 3050 m/m 2130 1530
ii) 15o Swing - 3050 m/m 1980 1980
iii) 300 Swing - 1860m/m 1830 1370
iv) 450 Swing – 1860 m/m 1675 1220

1.9.2 While locating the towers on survey charts, the
following shall be borne in mind :
a) Maximum length of a `section' shall not exceed 5
km. The length of the transmission line between
two Angle towers (without any angle) is known as
section. The total length of the transmission
line is divided into sections to restrict the
cascading failure of the transmission line
between two angle towers.
b) The intermediate spans shall be as near as
possible the normal design span. In case an
individual span becomes too short on account of
undulations in ground profile, one or more line
supports of the section may be extended by
inserting standard body extension designed for
the purpose according to technical
specifications to bring the intermediate span
as near as possible to the design span.
c) There shall not be any upward force on suspension
tower under normal working condition, and the
suspension towers shall support the minimum
weight span as provided in the designs. In case

uplift is unavoidable, it will be examined if the
same may be overcome by adding standard body
extensions to the towers, failing which tension
towers designed for the purpose shall be employed
at such positions.
d) Tower spotting shall be further checked by means
of tower capacity charts approved by the
purchaser.
1.10 Minimum ground clearance
In order to ensure minimum ground clearance after
erection and stringing of the line, the sag-template
is used while checking the profiles of the line and
spotting the tower locations. At crossings with
Railway tracks, the requisite clearances as stipulated
in the "Regulations for electrical Crossings", are
adopted.
The designed weight span & wind span limitations
applicable to various type of towers are given in
tower spotting data. Wherever a tower is subjected to
the effect of negative weight span, it is said to be
under "uplift" condition. The definition of the terms
viz., sag-template, weight span, wind span and tower

spotting data are given at appropriate places in the
later chapters detailing the application of sag
template and tower spotting data while approving the
line profiles and tower schedules.
The values of minimum permissible ground clearance for
the various voltages 66 kV to 400 kV are :
66 KV - 5.49 m
132 KV - 6.10 m
220 KV - 7.01 m
400 KV - 8.84 M
1.11 Compliance with Indian electricity rules & other
authorities regulations.
All overhead lines shall comply with the requirements
of the Indian Electricity Act & Rules made there under
and the regulations or specifications as laid down by
Railway Authorities, local governing bodies, defence
authorities, Power & Telecommunications Coordinating
Committee, Forest Authorities and Oil & Gas
authorities, where applicable. Relevant matters
requiring attention of such authorities should be
referred to them before planning the layout,
installation and during construction work. Such

references, however be made by the owner of the
installations & within appropriate time so as to
ensure smooth progress. The transmission line
installation shall be carried out by trained and
experienced personnel & supervised by technically
qualified persons competent to undertake such work.
1.12 Environment
In recent, year the consciousness of the environment
has increased amongst the people and the government.
Therefore, the need to introduce the environmental
aspect into the planning and development activities
is now well recognised in India, questionnaires for
environmental impact assessment of power projects,
among others, have been prepared and certain
guidelines are set out by the National Committee on
Environmental Planning (NCEP) and the Department of
Environment (DOE), and on this basis, environmental
clearances are now sought. Thus the country has
already a national environmental policy implicit in
its existing development policy. However, for
successful handling, the environmental management will
have to be seen in its full political, economic,

social and technological context and not merely a
matter of pure technocratic solutions.
So far as transmission networks associated with power
projects are concerned, there is the land use
consideration which gets translated into economic
grounds in many areas and there is also the question
of impact on the environment. The latter falls into
two categories - aesthetics of overhead lines and
effects on health and safety.
1.13 Aesthetics
The second consideration is aesthetics and that is,
the line constructions should be merged with the
surrounding landscape, so that both natural and man-
made features are blended to achieve an overall
impression of harmony.
Ground occupancy and overhead clearance are basic
considerations for any right-of-way, but tower height
and appearance now play a strong role. The tower
becomes a feature of the landscape, and where
possible, this is considered as right-of-way
selection. In hilly or mountaninous country, the
previous practice was to skyline the towers to take

advantage of crests and valleys. Now the effort is
more towards unobtrusiveness.
1.14 Accuracy
The accuracy of survey work depends upon, the
accuracy of surveying instruments, the prevailing
temperatures, the accuracy of placing instruments and
their reading. It shall be ensured, however, that no
measurements should be missed during surveys and
check surveys carried out where any doubt arises.

CHAPTER-2
PRELIMINARY SURVEY
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CHAPTER
TWO
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PRELIMINARY SURVEY
2.1 Scope of work
The survey of high voltage lines must be carried out
accurately and expeditiously. A mistake in the field
or subsequent office work may pass undetected to an
advanced stage in construction, thus causing
unnecessary expenditure and inconvenience. It is,
therefore, essential that every care should be taken
in setting out, levelling, and plotting the profile of
the route.
A Transmission line survey is carried out in three
stages : reconnaissance (including walkover) survey,
preliminary survey and detailed survey.
2.2 Reconnaissance
A thorough knowledge of the topography of the region

to be traversed by the line is required. Topographical
maps covering the area to the scale of 1:50,000 (1 cm
= 0.5 km) should be procured from the office of the
Survey of India or other authorized source and a
master mosaic prepared. The beeline, which is a
straight line joining the two terminal points, is
marked and a belt of width 10km (20 cm on the map), on
either side of the centre line, is shown. In the
master mosaic the Bee-line which is the straight line
joining two terminal points should be neatly marked
with pencil. The beeline represents the shortest
length although, for various reasons, it may not be
feasible to construct the line along the beeline.
Keeping the beeline constantly in mind, alternative
routes, with minimum unavoidable deviations from the
bee-line, are marked carefully. In doing so, the
following guidelines should be kept in mind.
i) Allow for the minimum number of crossings of
major rivers, railway lines, national/state
highways, overhead EHV Power and
telecommunication lines.
ii) Avoid certain natural features like high
mountainous terrain, steep slopes with cliff

and huge boulders, large lakes and marshy
places, etc.
iii) Avoid populated areas, narrow gaps between two
villages, large cash crop plantations and
places of worship, etc.
iv) Avoid close vicinity of aerodromes, radio
stations, radar centres, rifle ranges, etc. and
also industrial installations where pollution,
due to chemical effluents emanating therefrom
will affect the operation and maintenance of
the power line.
v) In view of the statutory requirements of the
Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, avoid, as far
as possible, the reserved and protected forests
and wild life sanctuaries. Where unavoidable,
align the route so that the cutting of trees is
kept to the minimum.
vi) Keep sufficiently away from continuous
parallelism with Telecommunication and Railway
Telephone lines. If there is continuous
parallelism with existing HV or EHV line, it is
preferable to maintain a minimum separation of
300 metres.
vii) Run the routes close to possible future load
centres to facilitate tapping when required.
viii) Run the route parallel/close to the existing
road if possible to facilitate the maintenance.
2.3 Walkover survey
After making the various feasible routes on the map,
a comparative study should be made on the basis of
the following data.
i) Route length.
ii) Number and type of angle points in each
proposal indicating the sharpness of each
deviation as measured on the map.
iii) Nature and number of major crossings.
iv) Deviation in the line due to civil or military
aerodromes and other industrial installations.
v) Approach to the line for construction.
vi) Reaches through protected or reserved forests.
vii) Long stretches in cultivated fields.
viii) Close parallelism with telecommunication and

railway telephone circuits. With these details
in hand, a walkover survey has to be carried
out on all the alternative routes to arrive at
the most economical route and to update the
topographical maps available, with the latest
features observed during the survey.
2.4. Selection of the best possible route
Walkover survey means going over the area associated
with the alternative routes proposed and collecting
features observed other than those existing on the
map. In addition the indication on following features
should also be checked without fail.
i) Communication lines.
ii) Power lines.
iii) Expanding villages and towns.
iv) Rich gardens and plantations etc.
v) Aerodromes, radar centre, rifle ranges.
vi) Undulating reaches unfit for erection and
maintenance.
vii) Roads constructed and roads improved recently.
viii) Steep sloping terrain or steep slopes of hills.

ix) Large tanks, lakes, water-logged areas etc.
x) Reserved Forests and wooded areas with high
trees.
xi) High hillocks and stretches with large
boulders.
xii) Irrigation wells likely to be made, tube-well
pump houses.
xiii) Forests where menace of wild elephants persist.
xiv) Private property limits where right of way
cannot be obtained.
xv) Availability of saddles in hill section for
better crossing of valleys.
xvi) Ghat roads in hills.
xvii) Gardens with grafted fruit trees.
xviii) Prohibited areas declared under statutory
regulations.
xix) Rocky areas.
On Completion of the walkover survey the proposal of
the most suited route is further studied and approval
obtained from the head of department of transmission
before taking up preliminary survey.
2.5. Preliminary survey

Field Work
The main object of carrying out a preliminary survey
is to transfer the route selected on the map onto the
ground with such deviations as may be necessary due
to field constraints. In aligning the route, the
following points should be kept in mind :
i) Ensure that there are sufficient corridors for
future lines in the approach sections near the
terminal end of the line so as to avoid
intercrossings later on.
ii) Keep the number of angle points to the minimum
possible.
iii) Select the location of angle points judiciously
near roads and on firm ground.
iv) Keep in view all obligatory points such as
railway power line, major road, tele-
communication line and river crossings.
v) At angle position, keep the angle of deviation
proposed slightly less than the maximum
designed angle for the particular type of tower
to allow for any error in surveying.

vi) Along the approach spans near the proposed
substations only when the layout of the
substation has been finalised. Otherwise, leave
2-3 km length near substations so that
alignment may commence at a convenient point in
the direction of take-off.
2.6 Various instruments used in survey and their
accuracies:
Accuracies
i) Electronic distant measuring 1 : 10,000
to Instruments using infra-red 1 : 50,000
light and Radio waves
ii) One second theodolite and surface 1 : 1000 to
chaining with calibrated steel 1 : 5000
tapes/invar tapes
iii) One second theodolite and stadia 1 : 500 to
method with calibrated 1 : 1000
levelling staves.
iv) Vernier/one second theodolite 1 : 300 to
with surface taping with Engineer's 1 : 500
chain
v) Least count of Theodolite 20”
Of these the instruments at Sl. No. (ii) and (iii)
are commonly used.
vi) Ranging rods 2 meter and fitted with ferrules so
that they can be joined to make a long rod.
vii) Dumpy level with stand
viii) Engineers' chain of 30 mtrs length with 10 mtr
marking at intervals.
ix) 20 mtrs or 30 mtrs steel tape.
x) 1.35 kg.hammer, 1o arrows.
xi) Hedge cutter, spades, knives, axes etc.
xii) Optical square (not entirely necessary but very
useful)
xiii)Tents, Buckets, Waterdrums, Camping coats,
table, chairs and petromax etc. (as per
requirement)
2.6. Measurement and accuracies
i) The theodolite to be used for the survey
work should be an accurate one.
ii) The vertical and horizontal axis of the
theodolite should exactly be perpendicular to

each other. This will avoid the line route being
curved instead of a straight one.
iii) The theodolite should be able to read upto
1 second in its horizontal and vertical
measurements.
iv) The distances are to be measured by surface
taping or tachometry or triangulation method as
the situation warrants.
v) The accuracy of the line length should not be
less than 1:500.
2.7. Adjustment of Survey Instruments
It is essential that survey instruments should be
kept in proper adjustment. The following are the
adjustments which can be carried out in the field, any
other adjustments should be carried out by the
manufacturer of the instruments.
I. Testing and adjusting of theodolite
a) Testing and adjusting of plate spirit levels.
b) Testing and adjusting the line of collimation.
c) Testing and adjusting the horizontal or trunnion
axis.
a) Testing and adjusting plate spirit levels.
i) Clamp vertical axis of theodolite.
ii) Unclamp the vernier plate so that the instrument
is free to rotate.
iii) Turn telescope until it lies over a pair of
screws in the case of a four-screw instrument,
or parallel to a pair of screws in a three-screw
instrument.
iv) Bring the air bubble of each level to the centre
of its run by means of the foot levelling
screws.
v) Turn the instrument through half a revolution to
see if the air bubbles remain central. If not,
the instrument is out of adjustment.
vi) Correct half the error by means of turning the
capstan screws on the levels.
vii) Correct the other half of the error by the
levelling foot screws. Turn the instrument
through 180 and check if the bubble remains
correct; if not, repeat the adjustment.
Most modern instruments are provided with locking
devices for the capstan screws and it is essential

that the screw should be locked after adjustment.
b) Testing and adjusting line of collimation.
This is to ensure that the line of collimation is at
right angles to the horizontal axis and parallel to
the telescope.
i) Level theodolite on fairly level and firm
ground.
ii) Place a piece of white paper with a steel arrow
X pushed twice through it at approximately 400
ft. from the theodolite, as shown in Figure 2.1
a.
iii) Clamp upper or vernier plate with vernier A
reading 360 and vernier B reading 180.
iv) Direct the telescope to arrow X until the
vertical hair on the diaphragm bisects arrow X
(Figure 2.1 a) and clamp the vertical axis of
the instrument in this position.

v) Unclamp vernier or upper plate and turn the
instrument through exactly 180 and clamp the
instrument.
vi) Transit telescope and see if vertical hair on
diaphragm still cuts arrow at X. If it does
not, then line of collimation is not at right
angles to the horizontal axis and adjustment is
necessary.
vii) The point where the line of collimation cuts
the paper should be marked with another arrow Y
(Figure 2.1 a).
viii) Adjust half the error by the screws controlling
the lateral movement of the diaphragm.
ix) Adjust the other half of the error by means of
the tangent screw of the vertical axis.
Adjustment should be tested and repeated if
necessary.
It should be noted that the difference between
the first reading on arrow X and the second on
arrow Y represents twice the collimation error,
as illustrated in( Figure 2.1 a).

c) Testing and adjusting horizontal or trunnion
axis.
This is to determine if the horizontal axis is
at right angles to the vertical axis.
i) Carefully level instrument on firm ground.
ii) Direct telescope to the top of a well-defined
object such as a lightning conductor on a
chimney, church steeple, etc.
iii) Clamp vertical and upper plate axis and use
the tangent screw of the vertical axis to get
the intersection of the cross-hair exactly on
the defined point.
iv) Depress the telescope to a point as far below
the top of the defined object as possible and
mark on a sheet of white paper fixed on a
board the point X (Figure 2.1 b).
v) Turn instrument through 180 o and again direct
telescope to the well-defined object.
vi) Depress telescope and see if the intersection
of the cross-hairs coincides with point X
already on the paper. If not, the horizontal
axis, the new point Y (Figure 2.1 b), where the

intersection of the cross-hairs cuts the paper,
should be marked.
vii) Correct half the error by means of capstan
screws controlling the horizontal axis. Check
and repeat if necessary. Here again (Figure 2.1
b) illustrates that the difference between
points X and Y represents twice the actual
error.
II. Testing and adjusting of level
a) Test if axis of spirit level is perpendicular
to axis of rotation.
b) Test if spirit level and telescope are parallel
to line of collimation.
a) Testing and adjusting spirit level
perpendicular to axis of rotation.
i) Set up instrument and turn telescope over one
pair of screws and bring bubble to centre of
its run by the levelling foot screws.
ii) Turn telescope through 180 o and observe if the
bubble remains central, if not, the instrument

requires adjustment.
iii) Correct half error by means of the capstan
screws which fix the tube to the telescope.
iv) Correct other half by the levelling foot
screws. Repeat for the telescope over the other
pair of screws and check.
b) Testing and adjusting spirit level and
telescope to be parallel to line of
collimation.
i) Drive in two pegs A and B 300 ft. apart.
ii) Set up level exactly central between the pegs
and level it
iii) Take a staff reading on peg A.
iv) Direct telescope to peg B and take a staff
reading. Adjust peg B by raising or lowering
until the reading is the same as that got on
peg A. The tops of the pegs must then be in a
level plane.
v) Set up level in line with the pegs, but say 40
ft. behind one of them.
vi) Take a staff reading on the nearest peg and
then a staff reading on the distant peg. If

these are not the same then the instrument is
out of adjustment and the line of collimation
is not parallel to the spirit level and
telescope. The diaphragm must be adjusted until
the staff readings on both pegs are alike. This
is done by means of the capstan screws holding
the diaphragm in position.
2.8. Chaining and levelling of line of route
It is good practice to chain and level the route at
the same time. As already stated, single support
positions can usually be selected on the preliminary
survey, and as soon as the line is through, the
positions of intermediate supports can be accurately
located and lined in.
In chaining a route it must be remembered that all
distances are measured horizontally and not on the
slope. Flags are erected at each of the line
positions which were instrument stations, since these
are visible on the whole section and assist in keeping
the chaining in the correct line of route. The
chaining party consists of a leader and follower and
it is the duty of the follower to direct the leader in

the correct direction. At the end of each measured
length an arrow is inserted. The follower enters in
his survey book details of all distances with the
positions of hedges, streams, or other features which
he thinks necessary. Before commencing the levelling
of the route a bench mark is located and a level is
run from this to the starting peg. In levelling,
accuracy must be observed and it is essential that the
carrier of the staff holds it vertical when readings
are being taken. The leveller should balance the
length of the sights as much as possible and set up
his instrument as near the line of route as
practicable. The distance between level readings
depends upon the contour of the ground and
incorporates all the positions at which arrows have
been left recording chainage distances. The procedure
of chaining and levelling is continued until the
section is complete.
It is important where there is a considerable side
slope on the ground that levels should be taken on
the high side as well as the centre line of route.
Side levels should be taken at a horizontal distance
equal to the distance of the outer conductor from the

centre of the structure. It is therefore imperative
that the surveyor should be familiar with the type of
construction of the line he is surveying.
The procedure is the same for broad base steel towers
except that inter-tower positions between angle
supports are not fixed until the profile has been
drawn. The whole economics of a tower line may depend
upon the selection of positions relative to the
profile.
2.9. Reducing of level figures
The levelling figures are reduced so that every point
on the profile will be correlated to ordnance datum or
to an assumed datum. Two common methods adopted for
reducing levels are: "Rise and Fall Method" and
"Height of Collimation Method". The latter method is
the one generally favoured by overhead line engineers
as it is quicker and gives the necessary checks.
Table-I gives specimen level notes showing the method
of reducing the levels by the height of collimation
method.
TABLE-I
B.S. I.S. F.S. H.C. R.L. Remarks
0.29 4.73 174.11 173.82 Pole 1
1.59 172.52 27.44 Hedge
2.93 171.18 54.88 Field
2.79 4.73 172.16 169.38 971.56 Field
4.44 4.44
(All dim. are in metres)
R.L = Reduced Level; H. C. = Height of Collimation:
F.S.= Fore Sight; I.S = Intermediate Sight ;
B.S. = Back Sight.
R.L. + B.S. = H.C. e.g. 173.82 + 0.29 = 174.11m
H.C. - I.S. = R.L. e.g. 174.11 - 1.59 = 172.52
Check : first R.L. - last R.L. = F.S. - B.S
173.82 - 169.38 = 4.73 - 0.29
4.44 = 4.44
Quantity of the entire line material required shall be estimated
on the basis of following design particulars:-
2.11 Tachometry
Tachometry is the indirect measurement of distances
by optical methods instead of using tape or chain.
The most important advantage of this method is that
the field work can be carried out much faster than

with the theodolite, level, levelling staff and
chain. The chaining of the route is eliminated and the
levelling speed greatly increased. This is due to the
fact that the theodolite has a range of site of the
order of 700 ft. and readings can be taken with the
telescope at any vertical angle necessary. In the
previous method the level had to be truly horizontal,
so that its range on sloping ground was very limited,
while with the tachometer a range of 700 ft. both
directions in the line of route is available. This
means that in favourable conditions a maximum of four
settings of the instrument per mile is required. The
damage in arable fields is reduced to a minimum, since
the staff holder can usually walk down the furrows
between the crops to the required spot in the line of
route where a reading has to be taken. The dragging of
the chain along the line of route is eliminated.
A very important point is that the true line of route
is always maintained, hence greater accuracy. If the
tachometry is set over one peg it will always have
the next line peg in view. This was necessary for the
original alignment, so that having set up the
instrument over peg the staff will be in perfect

alignment until the next peg is reached.
2.12. Principle of Stadia
A tachometer is really a theodolite fitted with a
stadia diaphragm, the stadia diaphragm having two
horizontal stadia lines, on each side of the centre
line. A section through the objective lens and
diaphragm of a telescope is shown in (Figure 2.2).
Horizontal Distance can be obtained by this formula :
Horizontal distance = staff intercept (h) X
instrument constant (k) X cos 
= h k Cos 
Where `' is the vertical angle observed to the middle
stadia intercept
i) To reduce an inclined sight to its horizontal
value it is only necessary to multiply the
instrument co-efficient K by cos2T given in table
and then by the staff intercept reading and add
to the product the value of C Cos T given in
tables.
ii) To reduce any inclined sight to its vertical
value the instrument co-efficient K is multiplied
by cos  sin  from the tables and by the staff
intercept and to the product is added the value
of C sin  from the tables.
2.13. Triangulation
This method is useful in places where large
obstructions like major perennial rivers are to be
crossed where surface taping or tachometry is not
possible. Under this method first measure a reasonable
distance accurately on the bank of the river. Having
this as the base, measure the angle at both the end
points of the baseline by sighting the other bank.
Shift the instrument (EDM) to the other bank point
and observe the angle subtended between the end points
of the base line originally marked. Sum up all the
three angles and find out whether the sum is 180
degrees. Find out the distance of horizontal crossing
by using the sine formula;
A B C
------- = ------- = -------
Sin A Sin B Sin C
2.14. Marking of Trees for Felling and Lopping
It is part of the surveyor's work to mark the trees
which will interfere with the proposed route. The
instrument survey gives an accurate location of the
trees which are affected. There are various opinions
as to the width which should be left through trees for
an overhead line. Each case should be treated on its
merits, but for an important transmission line,
felling distance of the trees on each side of the line
should be observed.
A good method of marking trees is to put a ring round
the trees to be felled at the level where felling is
reduced. If lopping only is required, a cross should
be put on the side to be lopped. This method prevents
trees being felled where lopping only is required and
also prevents a tree being felled at ground level
when consent has actually been obtained for felling at
hedge level so that a gap in the hedge is not left.
A list of the trees requiring attention should be
prepared by the surveyor and this should, in
particular, detail the location. It should also

indicate clearly whether the trees are to be felled or
lopped, given the variety and size. Sizes are
generally recorded as the diameter adjacent to the
butt and the height of the main trunk.
This is deatail in detail in user's manual part-I
Volume - 2 of "Environment Management."
2.15 Soil resistivity data
Soil resistivity data are required for submission to
the Power and Telecommunication Coordination
Committee (PTCC) for obtaining their clearance from
the point of parallelism of the Power and
telecommunication circuits and also for determining
the tower-footing resistance.
Measurements of soil resistance should be taken every
2-3 km of the route or at angle points, which ever
near from which the soil resistivity is calculated.
The Megger can be used in two ways to measure the
resistivity of the soil, namely, the three point
method and the four- point method. The four point
method is simpler and more accurate and is briefly
described below.
Four similar electrodes are burried in the earth to a

depth B at equal distances A from one another in a
straight line. The megger connections are shown in
(Figure 2.3). If the crank of the instrument is then
rotated at the stipulated speed (usually 100 rpm),
the resistance R, as read on the scale, is the
resistance of the earth between the two equipotential
surfaces in which P1 and P2 are in contact.
If the depth of the electrode in soil B (in cm) is
small in comparison with A, the resistivity of the
soil is given by the following expression:

P=2AR
Where
P= earth resistivity in ohms/cm3
A= spacing between the electrodes in cm and
R=resistance in ohms as read on the megger.
For all practical purposes, A should be at least
twenty times that of B.
2.16 Sub soil data
Subsoil data for the underground water table should
be taken from the wells adjoining the route on either
side. This should preferably be taken during the dry
months after inquiring the depth of the water table
during the peak monsoon period. The subsoil data are
required to assess and design and type of foundations
suitable for such locations.
2.17 Identification Marks
i) Concrete or stone block with 20 cm POWERGRID
logo shall be left in the ground. The block sizes
shall be 1000x150x150 mm and located at all angle

tower locations buried to a depth of atleast 750
mm.
ii) Theodolite point should punched or chiselled on
the concrete or stone block.
iii) Directional burgies at a distance at 30 to 50m
from angle point shall have to be provided at a
distance of every 1.5 KM to facilities easy
identification of line alignment during detailed
survey.
iv) The burgies shall have to be painted with white
colour for easy identification.
v) The entire route should be aligned only with the
theodolite and the angles should be read to the
nearest one minute.
vi) Wherever the line alignment crosses the EHT
line, or P & T line, burgies shall be provided
on the point of crossing. In case of Rly. and
road crossings, burgies shall have to be provided
on either side of the crossing.
vii) Wherever route alignment passes over permanent
land marks such as sheet rock, boulders,
culverts, elevated places etc., suitable white

paint directional marking with the indication of
"POWERGRID" should be made.
2.18 MANPOWER AND TRANSPORT FACILITIES
The check surveys and tower stacking shall be
performed by qualified and experienced personnel and
supervised by qualified surveyor.
Average output per month per survey gang consisting
of about 10 person will be -
i) Alignment Survey - 15 KM or
ii) Detailed Survey - 20 KM or
iii) Check Survey - 20 KM
Wherever topographical survey is to be carried out the
output will be less and will depend on the quantum of
works.
Transport required for Survey Gang
Jeep with Trailor - 1 NO.

CHAPTER-3
CROSSINGS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER
THREE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CROSSINGS
3.0 Major crossing and civil and military establishments.
The following crossings and civil and military
establishments (some of which may not be marked on the
maps for national security reasons) should be
carefully surveyed :
1. Major river crossings
2. Railway crossings
3. National highway crossings and other road
crossings
4. Power line crossings
5. Telecommunication line crossings
6. Aerodromes, Radar centres, Microwave stations,
Rifle ranges and Helipads. Once such major
crossings and obligatory points are finalised the
line route in intermediate sections can be
realigned if required, without disturbing the

crossing proposal. While aligning the route, the
concerned authorities should be contacted to
obtain the necessary information.
7. Forest crossing
3.1 River crossing
i) Walk along the banks of the river at least
1.5 to 2 kms on both sides of the approximate
crossing points (guided by the route of the
line) and fix up best locations for crossing.
Crossing locations should preferably be on
permanent high banks. Sand dunes or areas
likely to be eroded during floods should not be
considered.
The flow of river and its scouring of one of
the banks due to direction change at the bends
should be carefully studied for ascertaining
the extent of scouring.
ii) River should be crossed as far as possible at
right angles and at places where the river
width is minimum to ensure minimum possible
crossing span.
iii) If facilities such as road, rail bridges etc.
are available in the vicinity of proposed route
of the line, the advantage from such facilities
should be taken. Crossing should, therefore, be
effected as nearer to such facilities as
possible.
iv) It is observed that in the case of certain
bridges, additional protective works such as
retaining walls, embankments are constructed to
train the river flow. These should be carefully
studdied while locating crossing towers.
v) Certain rivers, even major ones, change the
course quite frequently. These changes should
be investigated properly before deciding the
crossing locations.
vi) Information such as maximum flood level (MFL),
ordinary flood level, maximum discharge through
bridge, course of river, composition of sub-
soil strata in river bed, GTS bench mark etc.
should be collected only from appropriate
agencies. No assumption for these details
should normally be made.
vii) Safe foundation depth can be checked by means

of Lacey's formula as follows :-
(Q)1/3
Lacey's scour depth `d' = 0.473 --------
(f)
(Where Q = maximum discharge in cu.secs.
f = silt factor).
and depth of safe foundation below G.L.
= 1. 5d (approx.)
viii) Observe the span of rail and/or road bridges
and the elevation of top of bridge with
reference to ground level in neighbourhood to
have correct idea about extent of discharge
through such bridges and effect of scouring on
foundations.
ix) Ascertain the maximum flood level (MFL) from
the authorities concerned and make a note of
this in the field book.
x) Reduce the MFL mark on nearby bridge by
connecting it to GTS mark in the neighbourhood.
MFL at the point of crossing should then be
reduced.
xi) Information regarding the navigability of the
river should also be ascertained. In case of
navigable rivers, vertical clearance is

required to be fixed in consultation with
navigation authorities. The clearance between
the Top of Ship to the bottom most conductor
point is the guiding factor.
xii) It is always desirable that standard towers be
adopted for river crossings to avoid delays in
supply and erection of special structures. All
the possibilities of utilising the standard
towers with normal or super extensions, special
conductor/Earthwire, special foundation etc.,
should be studied in detail before finalising
the nomenclature of crossing towers.
xiii) As per normal practice, the anchor/Dead End
towers are placed on either side of river
crossing towers square to river. Any islands
inside the river can be made use of for
providing normal towers or islands can be
formed with sand in the mid-stream of rivers
for construction purposes. Providing towers on
either side of the river prove cost
prohibitive for major rivers like the Godavari
and the Ganges.
xiv) In case crossing towers are to be located in

flood prone areas due to unavoidable
circumstances, details of revetments to be
constructed including the height to which its
top is to be taken above ground level should
be worked out.
xv) Double suspension strings may be provided for
towers located in the mid-stream of the river.
xvi) Earthwire drums of length more than 4 to 5 kms
may be ordered to avoid joints in the crossing
span.
3.2 Railway crossing
I. The following information may be ascertained
from the railway authorities :-
a) Station limits.
b) Railway boundary limits
c) Section of railway track in which the
crossing is located, the name of two
stations on either side and the distance
from the nearest station are to be
indicated.
d) Proposal for expansion of tracks and

introduction of siding etc.
e) Details regarding M.S.L. height.
f) Divisional Headquarters for the particular
section of railway track.
g) Statutory rules and regulations including
latest revisions for placing transmission
line across railway tracks (Minimum
clearance for railway crossing being 17.8 M)
h) Proposals for electrifying the track.
II. Effect the crossing preferably.
a) Outside station limit.
b) Outside railway boundaries.
c) Where the track is in cutting.
d) Restricting the crossing angle close to 90
degrees and the crossing span to 70% of
design span.
e) Keeping the minimum distance from the
nearest rail to the tower location at 1.5
times the tower height, to have sufficient
tower falling distance.
f) Avoiding structures, posts, masts, stays
etc. within 10 Mtr from the outer conductor

of transmission line.
III. Railways insist higher factor of safety. This
can be achieved by i) reduction of span and ii)
employing angle tower (such as above 30 degrees
i.e. D type towers) with or without angle. In
case angle towers are used, try to take advantage
of such angle points for required change in
direction of line also.
IV. At certain stations, signal posts are installed
near level crossing. These should not be taken as
outer signal for fixing station limits.
V. Ensure that all the requirements of Railways are
fully complied with and statutory clearance on
tracks as per latest rules and regulations are
available.
VI. In curved tracks, measure angle of crossing
w.r.t. tangent at the point of crossing of the
track.
VII. Note down the following carefully.
a) Kilometer stones/telephone pole nos.
between which crossing is effected and
distance from them on both sides.

b) Stations between which crossed.
c) Railway boundaries.
d) Distance of track from locations on either
side of the crossing.
e) Angles imposed at the crossing points, if
any.
f) Telephone/Telegraph pole nos. between which
the track is crossed, no. of wires and
height of poles, the distance from
transmission line, etc.
g) In case, LT or power line is crossed,
similar information as above should be
collected.
h) Levels of top of both rails.
i) Chainages of metal edges on both sides of
the track.
j) Embankment details.
k) Type of track gauge, electrified/non-
electrified, main or tie line, if narrow
gauge whether 2'-0" or 2' -6" track.
VIII.As obtaining clearance from the Railways take
considerable time, the proposal should be

submitted to the concerned Divisional
Superintendent of the Railway well in advance
preferably after Preliminary survey is approved
so that clearance is available at the time of
erection /stringing of the transmission line.
IX. One extra tension insulator per string may be
provided as per the statutory requirement of
Railways.
X. Two earths per tower on diagonally opposite legs
on both the towers are to be provided with 2"
dia GI pipes and in accordance with Railway
regulations. Pits are to be constructed around
the GI pipe with coke surrounding it.
3.3 National highway/road crossing
i) Roads should be crossed preferably at right
angle. Crossing tower should be located outside
the road boundaries.
ii) Avoid frequent crossing of the same road. In
such cases try to keep the route on the same
side of the road.
iii) Recent practice in certain areas is to effect

crossing of National Highways and important
state Highways over angle towers. The idea is
to treat road crossing span as a single section
to facilitate stringing and maintenance. In
such instances, advantage of angle tower should
be fully utilised for changing direction of
line and also for effecting the crossing at a
suitable place.
iv) The width of road limits is small when compared
to normal span of transmission line. It is
always preferable to locate one of the crossing
towers as close to the road boundary as
possible to make the best use of extra
clearance near the tower. But care is to be
taken to fix the location sufficiently away
from the borrowed pits if any, along the road
boundary.
v) If should be ensured that minimum distance
from centre of nearest tower to road edge
should be 1.5 times the tower height to have
sufficient tower falling distance.
vi) Crossing span should be such that vertical
clearance over road is available equal to the

minimum statutory clearance plus 2-3 mtrs. In
certain areas, maximum crossing span is also
indicated in the specification itself. The
extra clearance can be applied only to roads
having heavy traffic. In the case of minor
road, extra clearance can be allowed wherever
possible.
vii) Install pegs at both edges of the road
indicating the line alignment and also make
out the rough sketch indicating mile/furlong
stones, telephone poles, trees, culverts, and
other permanent features on both sides and
take offsets from line for easy identification
later. Also, marking can be made on the road
with white paint for easy identification and
direction of line.
viii) In case tangent towers are used at crossing
location, it should be ensured that with
snapping of conductor in any span in the
section, required clearance over the road is
still available by placing the tower at the
minimum required position near the road
(1.5times height of tower).

ix) In certain areas double insulator strings are
used only at important road crossings. This
may be got checked before making any proposal.
3.4 Powerline crossing
i) Crossings should be effected preferably at
right angles.
ii) Avoid crossing the same power line frequently.
The proposed transmission line should be taken
sufficiently away from such power line, to
avoid frequent crossings.
iii) Where proposed transmission line is to be
taken parallel and in close proximity of
existing power lines, adequate lateral
clearance of minimum 300 mtrs may be provided
to minimise induction effect to facilitate
construction and maintenance.
iv) While locating terminal towers of proposed
line near terminal tower of existing power
line, it should be ensured that adequate

electrical clearance between cross arms are
available (minimum phase to phase clearance
should be kept).
v) Identify the power line to be crossed and
prepare a rough sketch showing the following
features :-
a. No. of wires
b. Size (approximately) of wires
c. Height of poles/towers
d. type of insulators
e. No. of insulator discs
f. Presence of earthwire, if any
g. Voltage of the line crossed
h. Agency to which it belongs
i. Substation from where it emanates
j. Load centre or receiving end (S/S of the
line)
k. No. of the poles/towers, height, no. of
wires, the offset of the poles from the
proposed transmission line.
l. Angle of crossing
m. The minimum clearance between 400 KV

conductor to the conductor/earthwire of
any power line should be as mentioned in
Electricity Rules (i.e.6.10 mtrs.
minimum).
Generally, it is observed that super
extensions are required to cross the 110 KV
and above. In such cases, it may be explored
with SEB officials to reroute their earthwires
through our towers so as to avoid super
extensions to minimum the cost of transmission
line.
3.5 Communication line crossing
i) It is to be checked up in the tentative
route map available with you that all the
existing communication lines are duly marked.
In case any line is not indicated in the map,
mark the route of the line in the map after
consulting the appropriate authorities.
ii) Check up also with the authorities about
proposals for new communication lines so that

adequate precautions may be taken at the
initial stage of survey itself.
iii) In certain areas existing overhead
communication lines are being replaced by
underground co-axial cables. The transmission
lines can be taken at such places close to
roads and communication lines. Check up the
proposals for such conversions when finalising
the tentative route of transmission line.
iv) In the case of electrified railway tracks,
communication lines are taken by underground
cables to avoid interference. In such cases,
the route of transmission line if required can
be taken closer and parallel to railway track
provided there are no other restrictions.
v) Cross the communication lines, preferably at
90 degrees but in no case less than 60 degrees.
vi) Avoid parallelism and close proximity with
communication lines. If this is unavoidable, do
so only over small sections. The safe lateral
clearances for restricting the induced voltage
on communication lines, depends on soil
resistivity of the terrain. However as a rough

estimation minimum separation of about 8 kms
may be maintained.
vii) Note down the details such as type of
communication line (telephone/telegraph), name
of agency maintaining it, places connected by
it, heights of poles, pole nos., no. of wires,
the offset of poles on both sides of the
transmission lines, shortest distance from
tower centre to communication line etc., and
prepare a rough sketch showing all the details
for future reference.
viii) In case adequate lateral clearance is not
available, prepare proposals after working out
the extra cost for rerouting the transmission
line to enable comparison of such extra length
with the quantum of compensation to be paid to
telecom authorities.
ix) Minimum vertical clearance shall be as per
Indian Electricity Rules (6.10 mtrs. minimum).
3.6 Aerodromes, Radar stations, Rifle ranges and Helipads
Normally the installations such as aerodromes,

helipads etc., are not marked in the maps for
National safety point of view. So before carrying
out survey, the appropriate civil/military authorities
will have to be approached and any existing such
installations in he vicinity of the line are to be
marked.
a) Aerodromes :
i) Civil and IFA aerodromes in addition to
emergency landing strips are maintained all
over the Country.
ii) In case of Civil aerodromes, the radial
clearances required from the periphery of
aerodrome shall as per the circular of
Directorate of air routes and aerodromes, as
detailed in Sl. No.(v) below.
iii) The details such as flying funnel limits, areas
of aerodromes, landing strips etc. should be
collected from appropriate agencies only and
not assumed.
iv) In case of IAF aerodromes and similar landing
strips, the lateral clearance from periphery
should be such that the tower subtends an angle
(vertical) not more than 1o-30'-o" at the point

of periphery under consideration.
v) In the case of certain installations,
transmission towers of height more than 30
mtrs. are not allowed to be erected within
3.05 kms. Such specific limitations should be
ascertained from the concerned agencies before
commencing the work. Directorate of Air Routes
and Aerodromes have issued circular No. 6 of
1973 regarding principles for construction of
building and other structures in the vicinity
of aerodromes, which is reproduced below.
Overhead HT/LT lines shall not be permitted
with-in 3.05 kms. (10,000 ft.) of an airport.
Beyond the radius of 3.05 kms (10,000 ft.) and
upto 15.24kms (50,000 ft.) from an airport
(having the longest runway of 5000 ft. or more)
construction/erection of structure is permitted
subject to that all objects with a height of
35m or more above ground level should be
painted by day marking and lighted at night.
Beyond the radius of 15.24kms (50,000 ft.) from
an airport for objects/obstructions having
height of less than 120 Mtrs., no aviation

signal is required.
vi) After completion of routing near civil or IFA
aerodromes or emergency landing strips a map
should be prepared showing the location of
aerodrome, its periphery the route of proposed
transmission line, lateral clearances at
salient points (such as angle points) of the
line duly marked. This map should be got
approved by the aerodrome authorities before
finalising the route.
vii) Care should be taken to avoid routing of line
in the vicinity of airport (15.24 kms) to avoid
aviation painting and providing aviation
signals.
viii) As aviation painting is proved to be a costly
item, every effort must be made to obtain
waival from National Airport Authority, New
Delhi, duly citing the already available tall
structures and indicating zone of flight.
However, this is dealt in detail separately
under heading "Clearances".
b) Radar centres :
i) Radar centres, very high frequency direction

finding stations, satellite tracking stations,
sector operation centres, wireless receiving
stations, ground controlled interception
stations etc. require certain minimum lateral
clearances. It is to be checked up from the
concerned authorities regarding the above
requirements before taking up the work.
ii) While aligning the route near the above
installations, it must be ensured that there is
sufficient lateral clearance to the existing
communication lines from induced voltage point
of view.
iii) Prepare a detailed map as indicated under item
A.v above for approval by the concerned
authorities before finalising the route.
c) Rifle ranges (military target area)
i) Never route the line through firing field or
rifle. ranges Ensure adequate lateral
clearance to rifle ranges to avoid damage to
conductor, tower etc.
ii) Location of rifle ranges and their boundary
limits should be got ascertained.

iii) Prepare a detailed sketch showing rifle range,
route of transmission line, lateral clearance
etc. for submission to appropriate authorities
for approval.
d) Helipads :
With the industrialisation of the Country, many
helipads are being constructed close to major
Govt. Undertakings/Defence Installations/
Private Sector Factory etc. The alignment of
the transmission line should be fairly away
from the existing helipads/proposed site for
helipads. The facts can be ascertained from
the concerned authorities while aligning the
line route near the helipads.
3.7 Forest crossing
This has been dealt in user's manual Part-I Volume-II
of `Environment'.
3.8 General
i) The names of villages, ponds, temples

etc. existing on the left and right side upto
50 mtrs and within the proximity of the line
should be mentioned alongwith the distance from
such land marks. The reference of permanent
objects may be taken.
ii) The distance between AP to AP should be
measured with a steel chain 30 mtrs long and
mentioned in the report upto 3 decimal places.
iii) The centre line of the route of the line is
plotted on a 1:50,000 scale topo sheet traced
on a transparent sheet facilitating
reproducables. The angle points are marked and
straight lines drawn connecting these points.
The AP nos. are given in ascending order from
the origin of the line. The distance between 2
APs are marked in kms near the straight line
upto 3 decimal places. The angle of deviation
and whether the line is taking Right Turn (RT)
or Left Turn (LT) should be mentioned upto
seconds. The AP locations should be marked by a
dot surrounded by a small circle.
iv) After completion of route alignment for a
convenient stretch, it should be submitted for

approval. After the approval of the route
alignment, levels should be taken along the
approved route.
CHAPTER-4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER
FOUR
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.0 Contents of preliminary survey report
On completion of route alignment in the field the
following schedules/information should be prepared for
submission of the preliminary survey report.
1. Schedule of angle points
2. Route alignment maps
3. Schedule of various types of towers
4. Infrastructure facilities available.
5. Sketch of Angle points
6. Details of railway crossings with profiles
7. River crossings with profiles
8. Power line crossings with profiles
9. Tree cutting schedule
10. Soil Resistivity results
11. Sub soil data for under ground water table
12. Estimate of all line materials required for the
entire line.
4.1 Schedule of Angle Points (AP)
i) A schedule of angle points in the following
proforma is required to be made.
S. No. Type Angle of Chainage Loc. Details

of AP Deviation between Of AP of soil
Successive
APS
a b c d e F
Details Type No. of Approx. Nearby Soil

of of trees ht./girth Village resistivity
crossing trees
G h i j k L
ii) A brief description of the terrain between the
angle points should also be given.
4.2 Route alignement maps
i) The preliminary route alignment should be plotted
to a scale of 1 cm = 0.5 km (1 : 50,000) on the
survey of India maps.
ii) The drawing should indicate north, longitude and
latitude.
iii) It should be ensured that the route has been
aligned, keeping in view the minimum distances to

be kept from the civil, defence & vital
installations, rifle ranges, and tele-
communication lines.
4.3 Schedule of various types of towers
A schedule of various tupes of towers proposed,
together with extensions or reductions, should be
prepared. Section-wise quantities of tower for the
entire route for single circuit A,B,C and D type and
D/C DA, DC and DD type towers shall be worked out frm
the route survey and shall be tabulated as given below:
TABLE – I (For Towers)
Description of Single Circuit Double Circuit
Sections
A B C D DA DB DC DD
TABLE – II (For Tower Extensions)
Description of Single Circuit/ Double Circuit

Sections
Single 25M Extn. For A 18 M ext. for A9 M extn. For A6 M extn. For A
Circuit/
Double
Circuit3
M
Extn.
For A9
M
extn.
For B6
M
extn.
For B3
M
extn.
For B9
M
extn.
For C6
M
extn.
For C
Descript
ion of
Sections
3 M extn. 9 M extn. 3 M extn. For D 6 M Extn. For D
For C For D
TABLE – III (For Tower Foundations)

Description of Tower Normal Wet Partially
Sections type dry submerged
a b c d e
Fully Black Dry Submerged Hard Rock

submerged cotton Fissured Fissured
soil Rock Rock
f g h i j
Special towers such as river crossing towers etc. shall
be indicated separately giving all relevant details
and quantity of such towers required. The
classification of the foundation during preliminary
survey is very tentative since it is done without
trial pit and therefore classifications to be reviewed
again after soil investigations.
4.4 Infrastructural facilities available

i) Sources of water en route
ii) Approach roads and their suitability
iii) Rail heads for receiving materials and facilities
for their storages
iv) Communication facilities
v) Availability of local labour, season of
availability, rates, etc.
vi) Working season
vii) Sources of materials like sand, metal, etc. and
their costs, including transportation
viii)Availability of transport and transport
contractors
ix) Identification of convenient field subheadquarters
x) Addresses of State government electricity,
forest, telecommunication, railway and State and
Central Public works department officials who
have jurisdiction over the areas connected with
the route of the transmission line.
xi) Nearest post office, telegraph office, bank,
police station, hospital etc.
4.5 Sketch of angle points
The sketches of angle points should be drawn as given
below :
i) The location of angle towers should be properly
defined with respect to permanent reference
points in their vicinity.
ii) Each angle location should be shown with detailed
sketch indicating the direction of preceeding and
succeeding angle points, existing close by
permanent land marks such as specific trees,
cattle shed, houses, tubewells, temples, electric
tower or pole, telephone pole, canals, roads and
railway lines. The relative distance of the land

marks from the angle point and their bearings
shall be indicated in the sketch.
4.6 to 4.11 are already discussed in Chapter-3
4.12 Estimate of line materials
Quantity of the entire line material required shall be
estimated on the basis of following design particulars:
I. Conductor and earthwire configuration :
For single circuit towers the three, phases shall be
in horizontal formation with phase to phase spacing of
not less than 11.0 meters. Two number of ACSR ‘Moose’
Conductor shall be used for each phase (This is known
as bundle conductor). Two sub-conductors of each phase
shall be in horizontal formation with a spacing of 450
mm. Two number of galvanized steel wires shall be used
as earthwire. Two earthwires shall be continuous and
shall be provided above the conductors at a suitable
elevation to offer effective shielding and safe
clearances. The double circuit towers shall be in
vertical configuration with phase to phase clearance
of 8.0m.
II.A Particulars of conductor and Earthwire for 400 KV Line

S. No. Particulars Conductor Earthwire
1. Type Moose ACSR 7/9 SWG
(Aluminium Galvanised
Conductor steel steel
reinforced)
2. Nominal area 520 mm2 -
3. Stranding and wire
diameter
a) Aluminium, mm 54/3.53 -
b) Steel, mm 7/3.53 7/3.66
4. Total sectional 597.0 73.60
area, mm
5. Overall diameter, 31.77 10.98
mm
6. Approximate mass 2004 583
kg./km
7. Breaking load, KN 161.16 68.4
II.B Particulars of Conductors and Earthwire for 220 KV Line
S. Particulars Conductor Earthwire

No.
1. Type ZEBRA Galvanised
AAAC (All Steel
Aluminium
Alloy
Conductor)
2. Stranding and -
wire diameter
a) Aluminium alloy Mm 61/3.19 -
b) Steel mm - 7/3.15
3. Total sectional Sq.mm 487.5 54.55
area
4. Approximate Mm 28.71 9.45
overall diameter
5. Approximate mass Kg/km 1045 428
6. Calculated DC ohm/km 0.06815 3.375
resistance at 20
deg. C (max.)
7. Approximate 129 56
calculated
breaking load KN
8. Modulus of GN/sqm 54 186
elasticity
9. Co-efficient of Per de 0.000023 0.00115
linear expansion Centigrade
10. Mass of zinc Gm/sqm - 275
coating
11. Configuration of Single Triangular
conductor for S/C conductor per
line phase
12. Location of - One
earthwire continuous
earthwires
to run
horizontal
ly above
the
conductors
II.C Particulars of Conductors and Earthwire for 132 KV Line
S. Particulars Conductor Earthwire

No.
1. Type Panther AAAC Galvanised
Conductor Steel
2. Stranding and
wire diameter
a) Aluminium alloy Mm 37/2.88 -
b) Steel Mm - 7/3.15
3. Total sectional Sq.mm. 241.0 54.55
area
4. Approximate Mm 20.16 9.45
overall diameter
5. Approximate mass Kg/km 663.8 428
6. Calculated DC Ohm/km 0.1375 3.375
resistance at 20
deg. C (max.)
7. Approximate KN 67.49 56
calculated
breaking load
8. Modulus of GN/sqm 57 186
elasticity
9. Co-efficient of Per deg 0.000023 0.00115
linear expansion Centigrade
10. Mass of zinc Gm/sqm - 275
coating
11. Configuration of
conductor (Single
conductors per
phase)
For S/C Line - Triangular
For D/C Line - Vertical
12. Location of - One
earthwire continuous
earthwires
to run
horizontal
ly above
the
conductors
III.a) The power is transmitted at 400 KV through the
conductors, which are hung from the supporting
structures, by insulators and other hardware fittings.
Insulators are required to prevent short-circuiting of
the conductor at a high potential from the supporting
structures which are at the ground potential. In 400
KV Transmission Lines, bass and socket type disc
insulators is either glass or electro porcelain.
Antifog type disc insulators are used for polluted
areas.
III. b) Use of Long Rod Porcelain Insulators for 400 KV
Transmission Lines.
POWERGRID has been using porcelain/glass disc

insulators for 400 KV lines. It is being
conventionally used worldwide. However, in some
countries, such as Germany, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland
etc., long rod insulators have been used extensively.
In recent times, long rod insulators are being adopted
by more and more countries as an alternative to disc
insulators.
Long rod insulators have certain advantages over disc
insulators. Some of the advantages are as follows :
- Absolutely puncture proof.
- Better anti-pollution performance.
- Less Radio and Television interference.
- No cascade flashover
- Lower dead weight
- Less inspection required during O&M.
Due to its anti-pollution performance, it is desirable
to use these insulators in pollution prone area. Some
of the countries are replacing disc insulators with
long rod insulators in polluted areas.
The disadvantage of long rod insulator is that it will
be in tensile stress when in use in transmission lines
whereas disc insulators will be in compression stress.
The compression strength of porcelain is higher than

tensile strength. However, long rod insulators are
being made from high-strength alumina porcelain. With
this, the probability of mechanical failure of long
rod insulators is remote. The long rod insulators
consist of a much bigger block of porcelain that the
disc insulators, it is necessary that a proper
homoginity and quality is maintained to ensure uniform
mechanical strength and aging characteristics through
suitable manufacturing and quality control procedures.
It has also to be noted that any defect/failure of
long rod insulators is much more expensive as the
whole unit has to be replaced instead of individual
defective discs of a string insulator.
IV. Vibration dampers
Overhead transmission lines pass through varying wind
conditions and are therefore, prone to vibrations. The
8 vibrations lead to conductor fatigue and hence the
necessity of vibration dampers arises. The dampers
prevent building up of the vibrations to a harmsful
level.
Per suspension tower normally 2 vibration dampers and
for tension towers 4 vibration dampers, 2 on each sub-

conductor on either side are used for each sub-
conductor.
V. Mid-span compression joint
Because of limitations in manufacturing facilities and
transportation etc., It is not possible to have
conductor/earthwire of very long length. The standard
length of conductor/earthwire is around 1100m to
1500m. While stringing of continous stretch of more
than the standard length of the conductor/Earthwire,
joining of standard conductor earthwire is necessary.
Midspan compression joint is required for joining of
stranded conductor/earthwire.
VI. Repair sleeves
During transportation, handling and erection, a few
strands in the outer layer of conductor may get
damaged or broken.
This leads to reduction in mechanical strength of
conductor and also makes the conductor sussesptable to
corona. Repair sleeves are used for repairing the
aforesaid damages.
VII. Spacers
In 400 KV and above, EHV transmission lines, bundle

conductors are used (use of two or more conductors in
one phase). To keep the sub-conductor spacing uniform,
spacers are used after certain precalculated
distances. Normally, for 400 KV transmission lines, a
sub-conductor spacing of 450 mm is kept and 7 spacers
are used for a nominal span of 400 metres.
On obtaining approval for Preliminary Survey route
from General Manager, the route passing through the
reserved forest, power line crossing, river crossing
etc. should be thoroughly inspected.
Proposal should be initiated immediately for taking
approval from the following authorities :-
i) PTCC
ii) Forests
iii) Railways
iv) Clearance from Airport Authorities.
CHAPTER-5
DETAILED SURVEY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER
FIVE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DETAILED SURVEY
On completion of preliminary survey, the detailed
survey of the route is carried out. The detailed
survey can be broadly classified into the following
sub-heads :-
1. Levelling
2. Plan and profile
3. Checking profile drawings
4. Final alignment and pegging of locations
5. Details of trial pit excavations
The detailed survey is carried out based on the
Technical Specification of the transmission line to be
constructed.
5.1 Levelling
i) Before the commencement of levelling work,

GTS/PWD Bench marks enroute are to be
identified and the entire levelling network
should be connected to these Bench marks. This
will facilitate to have a uniform basis for
level for the entire line and also a check on
the network of levels taken.
ii) Levels should be taken at every 30 mtrs.
aparts, along the route.
iii) In addition to the levels at a regular interval
of 30m along the alignment levels for any
sudden change of slopes (over 30 cm in height),
cuttings, shallow portions are taken.
iv) All details along the line up to 50m on either
side should be correctly picked up at the time
of levelling by taking offsets from the centre
line and depicted on the plan.
v) Details like name of villages, Temples etc.
should be picked up upto. 200 m on either side
of the line. Their offset distances from the
line can be approximately determined by
estimation and depicted on plan.
vi) All trees, which are likely to be cut for way
leave clearance, should be picked up correctly

by taking offsets from the centre line and
depicted on plan. The girth,height, type of
tree number of trees etc. Should be entered in
tree enumeration register and submitted
alongwith profile during approval.
vii) Atleast 3 permanent points in different
directions with their radial distances and
bearing from the angle points should be shown
for each and every angle point.
This will help in fixing the angle point at a
later stage even if the angle point pillar is
lost/removed.
viii) The length obtained during the levlling by
chaining measurement between the angle points,
should be compared with the distances obtained
during preliminary survey. In case of
appreciable variation chaining should be
redone for correct length.
ix) Note down the angle of crossing of roads,
railway tracks, P&T line, power line, etc. The
boundaries of roads, Railway line are to be
clearly marked on the plan.
x) In case the line passes through slopes, i.e.,

side long ground, levels should be taken on
the transverse sides also in addition to the
centre line to enable checking the adequacy of
ground clearance for side conductors. This will
be useful for determining the necessity of
protective works like revetment etc. In this
case side levels at 5m, 10m, 20m as necessary
are to be taken on both sides.
xi) Height of the top most wire of the power line
or telephone line crossed, should be taken at
the point of crossing. Proposal of extensions
for requisite clearance depends upon this
height and hence needs accuracy.
xii) In case of overhead crossing of EHV
Transmission lines with horizontal
configuration of conductor and earthwire, it
will not be sufficient if the height of he
earthwire is measured along the centre line. In
this case height of earthwire along the line of
both the extreme end conductors should be
measured.
xiii) Chainages of stretches like marshy areas,
water logged areas compounds, gardens etc.,

should be correctly marked.
xiv) In the case of narrow deep valleys (width of the
valley being smaller than the normal span)
levelling upto the bottom of the valley need not
be taken.
xv) No permanent structures like building, temple
etc., should be situated directly below the
space between the two extreme and conductors.
xvi) All details required for preparing railway,
road, river Crossings should be collected.
xvii) Note down the names of villages on both sides
of the alignment and their approximate distance
from the centre line.
xviii) Destination of roads/Rly. lines/P&T lines/
Power lines being crossed should be marked on
both the sides of crossing.
xix) Sub-soil data, (water table) to be collected
along the route.
5.2 Plan & Profile

The profile is customarily plotted at 30m intervals,
and even more frequently if sudden changes in
elevation occur. The plan, of course, should show both
chainage and alignment. In rough terrain, contours
covering the width of the right-of-way are very
helpful in locating structures to the best advantage.

General characteristics of the soil formation should
be included on the plan, noting whether clay, gravel,
rock, muskeg, etc. exists as this information has a
direct influence on the choice of foundation types.
Where railways, highways streams channels, airports,
communication circuits, and other transmission lines
are to be crossed, their location, direction and
controlling elevations should be clearly shown. Angle
and change of direction, together with the reference
marks to the angle points, should be shown on the
plan. A horizontal scale of 1:2,500 and a vertical
scale of 1:250 is generally fouond to be convenient
for drawing the profile. A typical transmission line
plan and profile is given in Figure 5.1
The complete line must be plotted with a view to
producing the most economical result which will meet
the electrical requirements as well as sustain the
anticipated external loads. Once the plan and profile
of the line, the conductor and ground wire data, and
the clearance to be satisfied are available, one is in
a position to make a sag template after deciding upon
the normal span and the maximum cable tension to be
used.
The normal span, by definition, is the maximum span
for which a tower is designed in combination with the
maximum line angle permitted. A reduction in line
angle permits an increased span, which in the limiting
condition of minimum angle is termed the tangent
span. Thus, the variations in span length, which are
unavoidable in hilly country, can usually be
accommodated by standard towers and only extra long
spans will require particular consideration in the
tower designs.
The normal spans generally adopted for the
transmission lines 66 kv through 400 kv are as follows:
Voltage Metres
66 KV 250
132 KV 305 - 335
220 KV 350
400 KV 400
These spans may be considered as representative of
the optimum span for their respective voltage class
unless experience or knowledge of anticipated costs
indicate that some other ruling span should be used.

5.2.1 Tower spotting and Sag template
I. The following data are required for taking
up profiling and plotting.
i) Specification of profiling and plotting
including scales to be adopted.
ii) Type of towers, standard extensions & leg
extension.
iii) Base widths, excavation areas, depth of
excavation for various type of towers
with/without extensions.
iv) Normal wind and weight span.
v) Minimum weight span for tangent tower.
vi) Sag-template curves
vii) Maximum single spans for all type of towers.
Mimimum single span (Individual span) from
vertical separation consideration can be
calculated by the formula
S = 0.75d+1+V/150
Where, S = Minimum vertical spacing between two
conductors.
D = Maximum permissible sag for available

vertical separation.
L = Suspension insulator length or vertical
height of ’V’ suspension Insulator
V = Voltage in kgs.
viii) Specifications for statutory clearances.
ix) The height of the towers, insulator strings,
hangers and other attachments. Use of
reinforced cross arm to take of extra weight
span will increase additional load on the tower
leg and other tower members. The towers in all
locations may not be adequate to take care of
this additional load due to extra weight span.
Therefore, the design of the tower to be
reviewed before putting extra weight span by
reinforced cross arm.
x) Details of conductor, earthwire, insulators
including wind loads, maximum and minimum
temperatures and corresponding working
tensions.
II. On having obtained the above information, the
plotting and profiling can be done as given
below :-
i) Suitable datum should be selected for plotting

levels keeping in view of the terrain and graph
sheet available. Mention clearly whether the
datum selected is arbitrary or based on MSL.
ii) The scale of plan should be that of
longitudinal section. This will facilitate
projection of the plan height below the profile
drawing.
iii) Each profile roll should contain the name of
the agency, name of the line, scales adopted
for plotting, reaches and locations in the
profile roll and roll number and number the
line on the plan at the beginning and at the
end of each profile roll.
iv) All details as available in the field book should be
shown in the plan separately as prohibited
stretches, gardens, compound walls, sand/earth
heaps so as to avoid tower spotting in these
areas.
v) Details like MFL of rivers/navigable rivers/non-
navigable rivers, number of power
line/telephone line, pole, No. of wires, height
of pole, configuration of conductors of trans.
line being crossed are to be clearly marked on

the plan and height of highest point of the
power/telephone line to be indicated on the
profile.
vi) Angle and change of direction, together with
nearest village and reference marks to the
angle point should be shown on the plan.
vii) Side levels on sloping grounds wherever taken,
should be shown as dotted line on the profile
and levels written in bracket indication the
side on which the levels are taken.
viii) An additional clearance of 0.50m should be
kept between ground clearance curve and the
ground level as drawn in profile to provide
for tolerance.
ix) Wind and weight spans at each location should
be checked up while spotting towers. Before
finalising the position of locations, it should
be ensured that these values are within limits.
x) Uplift should be avoided as far as possible.
Wherever it is unavoidable, the type of tower
to be used has to be determined based on the
tech. designs of each type of tower.

xi) Diversions/lowering of LT/11 KV lines are to
be marked on the profile wherever necessary.
This can be avoided in most of the cases by
suitable spotting of tower and providing
extensions if necessary.
xii) Tower should not be spotted very close to
existing tower lines to avoid erection hazards.
The tower of the power line to be crossed
should be kept away from the proposed line
atleast 1.5 times of the tower height.
xiii) Advantage of more ground clearance available
near the towers should be judiciously availed
to the best possible extent.
xiv) Avoid spotting towers in marshy, water logged
areas, low lying areas, and rocky locations
etc.
xv) Hill side extension should be used wherever
necessary in hilly terrain after checking type
of tower available.
xvi) In case of steep slopes where the difference
between the two tower locations is too much so
that normal sag template can not be used, sag
has to be theoretically calculated and sag

curve traced as per calculations.
xvii) In case of steep terrains where the profile can
not be accommodated on the profile sheet, the
datum has to be changed conveniently by
introducing match line showing the change of
datum.
xviii) 3 Nos. transposition tower locations are fixed
at 1/3rd length and at receiving terminal end
of the line.
Transposition towers will generally be of C
type (30 degree) tower used as sectionalising
towers without any angular deviation.
5.3 Checking of profile drawings
i) Compare the details in profile drawings with
survey records carefully.
ii) After completing 'spotting' of towers, prepare
a tower schedule in the following form;-

Sl. Description of Angle Type Span Type of Remarks
No. angle Point of in foundation
Tower mtrs. proposed

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Under column 7 indicate conditions such as
a) “LT” line to be lowered or diverted,
b) bund to be trimmed
c) reinforcement if any required, in addition to
mention Road crossing ‘LT’ line crossing,
nallah crossng etc.
d) Aviation requirements (as per technical
specification).
iii) Prepare a list of power line, railway, minor
road etc., crossings in the following form :-
Sl. Section Chaineage Crossing Approx. Remarks
No. (m) details angle of
X-ring
1 2 3 4 5 6
iv) Prepare a list of trees to be cut in the
following form :-
Sl. Section Chaineage Offset Type of No. to be
No. (m) from tree cut
Centre
line (M)
1 2 3 4 5 6
v) Check up the following in the profile drawings
for :-
a) The wind and weight spans are within
permissible limits.
b) Statutory clearances from power lines, roads,
telephone lines, river etc. are available. If
diversion of any power lines or communication
lines that are crossed is required, mention
thereof should be made.
c) In case of inadequate vertical clearance to
power and communication lines crossed, mention
is made for lowering or diverting these lines
to be crossed.
d) Inadequate ground clearance that may be
unavoidable due to bund, sloping ground etc.,
and consequent trimming or cutting of slope
that may be necessary are to be mentioned in
profile drawing.
e) Lateral clearance to power, communication line
etc., should be adequate to prevent erection
hazards.
f) Lateral clearance to river, canal edges,
roads, railway tracks etc., are adequate.
g) The type of foundations are proposed as per
trial pit excavation reports.
h) Extension of coping work or building a platform
to prevent tower legs coming in contact with
water is proposed where water level is likely
to be above normal coping level.
i) The distance between angle points is the sum of
all spans in that section.
j) The type of towers proposed at various angle
points are adequate for the angle proposed.
k) Sectionalising tower is introduced invariably
in sections measuring more than 4 km or
approximately 10 spans.
l) The gantry height and jumper curve from
terminal tower to gantry are shown.
m) At locations where tangent towers are proposed
with angle, as per permissible design limits,

wind and weight spans are restricted
preferably to 60-70 percent of design values.
This precaution is necessary in view of such
locations being weaker within the section.
n) The towers are located outside road, railway,
canal etc. boundaries, cart tracks, cemetery
compounds and such other prohibited places.
o) Levelling of ground before grouting stubs is
proposed for towers on uneven ground.
p) Revetment work is proposed for towers on
slopes.
q) The conductor curves are drawn in spans of
power line, river, railway crossings and
relative vertical clearances as obtained are
indicated.
r) Mention is made whether the terminal tower is
to be square to line or gantry.
s) The details in tower schedule such as location
number, span, type of foundation are compared
with those indicated in profile drawings.
t) Statutory obligations are fulfilled wherever
required.
5.4 Check Survey
This will be conducted to make a check on detailed
survey and to locate and peg marks the tower positions
on ground conforming to the survey charts. In the
process it is necessary to have the pit centres marked
according to the excavation marking charts. The
levels, up or down, of each pit centre with respect to
the centre of the tower location shall be noted and
recorded for determining the amount of benching or
earth-work required to meet design requirements of the
foundation.
5.4.1 If the levels of the pit centres be in sharp contrast
with the level of the tower centre (say beyond a slope
of 1:4), suitable `leg extensions' may be deployed as
required.
5.4.2 For the sake of reference, the pits of a tower shall
be designated as shown in Fig.5.2

5.5 Final alignment and pegging of locations
i) After fixing the alignment and intersection of
angle point, check the angle obtained with that
indicated in the profile drawing. In case of
discrepancy repeat the alignment and obtain the
intersection at the correct point.
ii) Trees which are sighted on the centre line of
transmission line should be cleared first: and
adopting offset method for negotiating such
obstacles during final alignment is totally
prohibited.
iii) Chainage between angle points should tally with
that mentioned in the profile drawing. In case
of variation,repeat the 'chaining' work till
you are confident that your measurement is
correct.
iv) Before 'stacking' the tower locations in a
section, go over the section and check the
correctness of features indicated in the
drawing and details regarding new feature
noticed, say new power or communication line,

cart track etc., should be included in the
profile drawing. In case you observe mistakes
in the position of features indicated in the
profile drawing, correct them suitably.
v) After completion of final alignment and
intersection to obtain angle point, tower
locations can be stacked as per approved tower
schedule. Give sufficient pegs indicating the
centre of location and transverse and
longitudinal directions. In fields, direction
pegs may be installed on nearby bunds, where
possible.
vi) While stacking the tower you should ensure that
the location is free from roots (roots of big
trees nearby), canal and river edges, nallahas,
cart tracks, cemeteries, LT and power lines
etc.
vii) The centre peg installed should have number of
location and type of foundation marked on it.
viii) In case tower is to be located on uneven ground
indicate the levelling work to be done in the
schedule. Similarly if revetments or protective
works are to be built, these also should be

made note of.
ix) In case you come across power and communication
lines not indicated in the profiles, check up
the clearance to such lines and prepare revised
schedule including use of extensions, where
required.
x) Wherever trimming of bund or cutting ground on
slopes is required for ensuring adequate
ground clearance, extent of such clearance
works should be indicated in the profile sheet
and tower schedule.
xi) Check the list of trees to be felled during
final alignment and mark out such trees for
showing to concerned people incharge of cutting
and clearance.
xii) After completion of the stacking of location,
trial pits at every km length of the line
should be excavated well in advance and a
report submitted as given below.
xiii) After conducting check survey, the location on
the ground is to be inspected by the Engineer-
in-Charge and any variation has to be
incorporated in the profile and the clearances

are to be checked again.
5.6 Trial pit excavation report
After finalising the route of transmission line,
trial pitshould be opened along the proposed line in
typical stretches and in any case atleast at intervals
of one km. Following report should be made in respect
of each pit :-
i) Date of excavation :
ii) Location of Pit :
iii) Size of Pit : 1 mtr.x1 mtr.x1 mtr.
iv)(a) Depth at which excavation stopped.
(b) Reasons for stopping Excavation:
v) Depth of water table :
(Measured from ground level)
a) Depth at which water, encountered if any:
b) Depth of water in the wells in the
neighbourhood :
vi) a) Soil strata :
b) In case of soft rock :
state whether workable
by pick - axe
vii) Nature and rate of per - :
colation of sub-soil water,
if any :
viii) Performance of pit after being:
allowed to stand open for 24 hours
after excavation :
ix) a) Any special features observe:
b) Type of foundation desirable:
For POWERGRID
Signature ..............
Name ...................
Designation (E1/E2/E3)
Date ..........
NOTES:
i) The above report should be submitted to the line
incharge/Group Manager for approval.
ii) Based on the above report, proposal may be prepared for
Final Bill of Quantities (BOQ), Project Erection Cost, to
competent authority for approval.

CHAPTER-6
A word on Ruling Span, Sag Template &
Tower Spotting
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER
SIX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A word on Ruling Span, Sag Template
& Tower Spotting
6.1 Introduction : In overhead line design and practice an
intimate knowledge of the mathematics of sags and
tensions must be regarded as essential. The span
lengths to be practiced, the height of supports to be
used, and the strength of supports required are direct
functions of the conductor sags and tensions. Sag
tension calculations are regarded by many as highly
mathematical, but this is not the case. The solution
of sag tension problems is really the application of a
few empirical formulae requiring only a knowledge of
arithmetic, and culminating in a cubic equation which
can be simply solved on the slide-rule. The
calculations would be still more simple if the wires
could be regarded as being subjected to a fixed
loading. This, however, is not the case since the
conductors may be ice-loaded at one time, subjected to

a gale at another, or even both simultaneously, or may
only be acted upon by their own weight in still air.
As a result of the varying conditions, the overhead
line engineer must be able to erect the wires under
still-air conditions, with the knowledge that the
maximum permissible tension will be exceeded should be
conditions of wind and ice laid down in the
Regulations occur.
6.2 Design span lengths
In transmission line calculations, the following
terms are commonly used.
i) Basic or normal span
ii) Ruling or equivalent span
iii) Average span
iv) Wind span
v) Weight span
Basic or normal span
The normal span is the most economic span for which
the line is designed over level ground, so that the
requisite ground clearance is obtained at the maximum
specified temperature.
Ruling span
The ruling span is the assumed design span that will
produce, between dead ends, the best average tension
throughout a line of varying span lengths with
changes in temperature and loading. It is the weighted
average of the varying span lengths, calculated by the
formula:
-----------------------
¦ 3 3 3
Ruling span = ¦ l 1 + l2 + . . . . l n
¦----------------------
¦ l1 + l2 + . . . . l n
Where l1, l2, . . . ln are the first, second and last
span lengths in the section. The erection tension for
any line section is calculated for this hypothetical
span.
Tower spotting on the profile is done by means of a
sag template, which is based on the ruling span.
Therefore, this span must be determined before the
template can be made.
The ruling span is then used to calculate the
horizontal component of tension, which is to be
applied to all the spans between the anchor points.
Average span
The average span is the mean span length between dead
ends. It is assumed that the conductor is freely
suspended such that each individual span reacts to
changes is tension as a single average span. All sag
and tension calculations are carried out for the
average span, on this assumption.

Wind span
The wind span is that on which the wind is assumed to
act transversely on the conductors and is taken as
half the sum of the two spans, adjacent to the
support (Figure 6.1) In order to take full advantage
of towers located on elevated ground, it is usual to
allow a wind span of 10 to 15 per cent in excess of
the normal span. This additional strength can be used
in taking a small angle of deviation on an
intermediate tower, where the actual wind span is less
than the design wind span. The angle of deviation to
be taken in such cases is approximately given by :
wl
 = ---- x 180
t
Where,
w = total wind load per unit run of span length

of all conductors carried by the tower.
1 = difference between the wind span used for
design and the actual wind span, and
T = the total maximum working tension of all
conductors carried by the tower.
For hilly areas it may be advisable to allow wind span
upto 30-35% in excess of normal span, so that
valleys/ravine can be crossed with normal tower.

Weight span
The weight span is the horizontal distance between
the lowest point of the conductors, on the two spans
adjacent to the tower. The lowest point is defined as
the point at which the tangent to the sag curve, or to
the sag curve produced, is horizontal. The weight span
is used in the design of cross-arms.
The analytical method for calculating weight span is
given below :
Distance of ‘Null point’ or ‘Low point’ of conductor
from center of span is given by the formula (see Fig.
And 6.1).
Th
X = ----------
Wl
Where,
x = distance of low point from center of span in
m.
t = Conductor tension in kgf
h = difference between conductor support levels
in m.
w = unit weight of conductor in kg/m
l = span length in m.
Weight span :
For tower A, right hand side only :
1
a = ------ - x
2
For tower B, left hand side only :
1
b = ------ + x
2
Similarly, weight span for the other side of the
towers, can be calculated and total weight span
obtained. (Figure 6.1 (a) )
If the sum of a and b calculated for a particular
tower is negative, the tower is under ‘uplift’.
(Figure 6.1 (b) )
It is also evident that maximum weight spans are
obtained by the worst condition of wind loading when T
is maximum, which means the vertical component of
worst load sag should be taken for ‘cold curve’ of sag
template in order to assess uplift on towers.
6.3 Tower configurations
Depending upon the requirements of the transmission
system, various line configurations have to be
considered- ranging from single circuit horizontal to

double circuit vertical structures and with single or
V strings in all phases, as well as any combination
of these. The configuration of a transmission line
tower depends on :
i) The length of the insulator assembly.
ii) The minimum clearances to be maintained between
conductors, and between conductor and tower.
iii) The location of ground wire or wires with
respect to the outermost conductor.
iv) The mid-span clearance required from
considerations of the dynamic behavior of
conductors and lightning protection of the
line.
v) The minimum clearance of the lowest conductor
above ground level.
The lower outline determined essentially by three
factors; tower height, base width, and top hamper
width.
Determination of tower height
The factors governing the height of a tower are :
i) Minimum permissible ground clearance (h1)
ii) Maximum sag (h2)
iii) Vertical spacing between conductors (h3)
iv) Vertical clearance between ground wire and top
conductor (h4)
Thus the total height of a tower is given by

H = h 1 + h2 + h3 + h 4
In the case of a double circuit tower with vertical
configuration of conductors (Figure 6.2). The
calculation of sag(h2) covered later.
Base width
The base width at the concrete level is the distance
between the centre of gravity at one corner leg and
the centre of gravity of the adjacent corner leg.
There is a particular base width which gives the
minimum total cost of the tower and foundations.
The ratio of base width to total tower height for
most towers is generally about one-fifth to one tenth
from large angle towers to tangent towers.
Top hamper width
The width at top hamper is the width of the tower at
the level of the lower cross-arm in the case of
barrel type of towers (in double circuit towers it may
be at the middle cross-arm level) and waist line in
the case of towers with horizontal configuration of
conductors.
6.4 Sag Template

The location of structures on the profile with sag
template is essential for both correct design and
economy.
Method of preparation
Sag template may be prepared on transparent paper,
cardboard, hard plastic sheet, on celluloid or
perspex, about 1 mm thickness. A typical template is
shown in Figure 6.3. It consists of the following
curves :
I. `Cold or uplift curve'.
Which correspondence to the vertical component of the
sag at worst load conditions of the wind.
II. Hot Curve or `maximum sag curve'.
This correspondence to the maximum still air final
sag at maximum temperature including sag tolerance if
any.
III. ‘Ground clearance curve'.
This is drawn from and parallel to No.1 curve at a
distance equal to minimum specified ground clearance.
IV. `Support foot curve'.
Drawn at a distance equal to the bottom conductor
height at tower, from and parallel to No.2 curve.
Other features.
i) Curve 1 and 3 are normally drawn through the
routine `0' at the centre line of the template.
The cold and hot templates (curves I & II) are
plotted and cut as a parabola on the minimum
and maximum sag of the ruling span.

ii) The curves are extended such that all slopes
on the profile can be scaled with ease.

iii) The hot curve may be cut away so that the
curve can be used for positioning the towers on
the profile, thus determining the actual spans
and showing the conductor and clearance line
(Figure 6.4).
iv) Template shall be prepared to the same scale
as the survey chart.
v) The parabola is accurate to within about one
half of 1% for sags upto 5% of the span which
is well within the acceptable limits.
Use of template
i) The cold curve or the minimum vertical sag line
at the coldest specified conditions is used to
detect cases of direct uplift on insulators at
low lying positions (Figure 6.4 b). The use of
sag template on a sloping ground is shown in
Figure 6.4.6).
ii) At some locations it may be found that towers
of standard heights are either too short or too
long for the normal span and proper ground
clearance is not available. Standard towers
with extensions or reductions may be used at
such locations instead of correspondingly
reducing or increasing the span.
iii) For an easy check whether a tower is under
uplift or not, the following method may be
adopted. The template is applied horizontally
until the tops of alternate supports coincide
with the cold template (curve.I). If the curve
is above the intermediate support, the support
is under uplift and has to be extended until it
touches the cold template and so eliminates
uplift. If requisite standard body extensions
are not available for extending the tower to
desired height a tower designed for uplift
shall have to be provided.
NOTE : The suspension towers shall be checked for
uplift under normal working condition only that
is, both adjacent spans intact. The
section and angle towers normal and broken wire

conditions.
iv) Attempt is made to keep these spans as nearly
equal to the normal span as possible.
6.5 Tower spotting
Tower spotting is the art of locating structures in a
right-of-way and selecting their type and height. The
goal is to select the most economical combination of
structures and spans that will satisfy the electrical
requirements. Starting with a profile of the right-of-
way, towers are spotted by the manual template method.
i) As far as possible, tower spotting in marshy,
water-logged areas, low lying areas, rocky
locations, etc. should be avoided. In the case
of steep slopes, where the difference between
the two tower locations is so large that the
normal sag template cannot be used, the sag has
to be calculated and the sag curve traced
accordingly.
ii) Most locations of angle and anchor towers are
dictated by the plan of the line. intermediate
suspension towers, are located by moving the

sag template (Figure 6.3) along the profile
until the desired position of the span is
found. In hilly country, it is obviously
desirable to use the hills to decrease tower
heights.
iii) Wherever possible, uplift under conditions of
minimum sag should be avoided on all towers,
but if impossible, special consideration should
be given to the attachment of the conductor at
the uplift point.
iv) Wind and weight spans at each location should
be checked while spotting towers.
v) The soil conditions noted on the line plan must
be considered in locating towers if they are
likely to present any particular problems in
designing or installing footings. Wet, marshy
or swampy ground should be avoided for obvious
reasons. Areas of badly broken or fissured rock
should also be avoided if the use of grouted
anchor bolts does not appear practical as earth
type footings in such rock can be set only
after very costly excavation.

CHAPTER-7
Knowledge of Rules & Procedures
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER
SEVEN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
KNOWLEDGE OF RULES AND PROCEDURES
A good knowledge of rules and procedures governing
the construction of transmission lines at the survey
stage is essential for obtaining the clearances
required from the various authorities, so as to ensure
the smooth progress of work at the construction stage.
These relate to the following :
7.1 Indian Electricity Rules, 1956
Factors of safety of supports clearances above
ground of the lowest conductor, clearances from
buildings for extra-high voltage lines,
proximity to aerodromes, lines crossing or
approaching each other.
7.2 Rules & specifications laid down by
Railways/Power & Telecommunication Coordination
Committee.
Crossings over railway tracks,
telecommunication lines, etc. Approval of the
Railway and Telecommunication Authorities is
required whenever the tracks and communication
circuits have to be crossed by transmission
line. Considerable time is lost in obtaining
these approvals in the process of furnishing
and receiving the necessary data and
correspondence at various levels. It is never a
good practice to take up line construction work
in anticipation of the approvals being
accorded.
7.3 Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 & environment
Rules.
7.4 Post & Telegraph Rules

Procedure for obtaining PTCC clearance in
respect of telecommunication lines in
proximity.
7.5 Roadways, Navigation or Aviation Authorities
rules
7.6 Local governing bodies, Defence Authorities
Rules
7.7 CEA Rules
Procedure for obtaining clearance from the
Electrical Inspector.
7.1 “Extract of relevant Indian electricity rules –
1956”
i) Rule No. 76 :-
Maximum Stresses :
Factors of Safety – The owner of every overhead
line shall ensure that it has minimum factor of

safety of 1.5 for supports based on cripping
load.
Provided that in the case of conductors having
a cross-section of a generally triangular
shape, such as conductors composed of 3 wires,
the final unloaded tension at 320 C shall not
exceed 30 percent of the ultimate tensile
strength of such conductor.
a) Maxm. Wind pressure shall be such as State
Government may specify in each case.
b) For cylindrical bodies the effective area
shall be taken as two-thirds of the
projected area exposed to wind pressure :
c) For latticed steel or other compound
structures the wind pressure on the lee-
side members shall be taken as one-half of
the wind pressure on the windward side
members and the factors of safety shall be
calculated on the cripping load of struts

and upon the elastic limit of tension
members :
d) The maximum and minimum temperatures shall
be such as the State Government may
specify in each case. Not withstanding
anything contained above, in localities
where overhead lines are liable to
accumulations of ice or snow, the State
Government may, by order in writing,
specify the loading conditions for the
purpose of calculating the factor of
safety.
ii) Rule No. 77 :
Clearance above ground of the lowest Conductor.
For extra-high voltage lines the clearance
above ground shall not be less than 5.182
metres plus 0.3 metre for every 33,000 volts or
part thereof by which the voltage of the line
exceeds 33,000 volts.

Provided that the minimum clearance along or
across any street shall not be less than 6.0965
Metres.
iii) Rule No. 78 :
Clearance between conductors and trolley Wires:
No conductor of an over head line crossing a
tramway or trolley-bus route using trolley
wires shall have less than 3.048 M clearance.
iv) Rule No. 80 :
Clearances from buildings for extra-high
Voltage lines.
a) Where a high or extra high voltage
overhead line passes above or adjacent to
any building or part of a building it
shall have on the basis of maximum sag, a
vertical clearance above the highest part
of the building immediately under such
line, of not less than 3.658 metres, plus

0.30 metre for every additional 33,000
volts or part thereof.
b) The horizontal clearance between the
nearest conductor and any part of such
building shall, on the basis of maximum
deflection due to wind pressure, be not
less than 1.829 M plus 0.3 metre for every
additional 33,000 volts or part thereof.
v) Rule No. 83 :-
Clearances (General)
For the purpose of computing the vertical
clearance of an overhead line, the maximum sag
of any conductor shall be calculated on the
basis of the maximum sag in still air and the
maximum temperature as specified by the State
Government under rule 76 (2) (d). Similarly for
the purpose of computing any horizontal
clearance of an overhead line the maximum
deflection of any conductor shall be calculated

on the basis of the wind pressure specified by
the State Government under Rule 76 (2) (a) or
may be taken as 350, whichever is greater.
vi) Rule No. 84 :-
Routes : Approximity of aerodromes :-
Overhead line shall not be erected in the
vicinity of aerodromes until the aerodrome
authorities have approved in writing the route
of the proposed line.
vii) Rule No. 87 :-
Lines Crossing or approaching each other :
a) Where an overhead line crosses or is in
proximity to any telecommunication line,
either the owner of the overhead line or
the telecommunication line, who so even
lays his line later, shall arrange to
provide for protective devices or guarding
arrangements, in a manner laid down in the
code of practice or the guidelines

prepared by the Power and
telecommunication Coordination Committee
and subject to the provisions of the
following sub-rules.
b) When it is intended to erect a
telecommunication line or an overhead line
which will cross or be in proximity to an
overhead line or telecommunication line,
as the case may be, the person proposing
to erect such line shall give one month’s
notice of his intention alongwith the
relevant details or protection and
drawings to the owner of the existing
line.
c) Where an overhead line crosses or is in
proximity to another overhead line,
guarding arrangements shall be provided so
as to guard against the possibility of
their coming into contract with each
other.
d) A person erecting or proposing to erect a
line which may cross or be in proximity
with an existing line, may normally
provide guarding arrangements on his own
line or request the owner of the other
overhead line to provide guarding
arrangements as referred to above.
e) In all cases referred above the expenses
of providing the guarding arrangements or
protective devices shall be borne by the
person whose line was last erected.
f) Where two lines cross, the crossing shall
be made as nearly at right angle as the
nature of the case admits and as near the
support of the line as practicable, and
the support of the line shall not be
erected below the upper line.
g) The guarding arrangements shall ordinarily
be carried out by the Owner of the
supports on which it is made and he shall

be responsible for its efficient
maintenance.
h) All work required to be done by or under
this rule shall be carried out to the
satisfaction of the Inspector.
7.2 Rules & specifications laid down by
Railways/power & Telecommunication coordination
Committee
i) Railway crossings
For railway crossings, towers shall be of
tension type and railway crossings construction
shall conform to the regulations laid down by
Railway Authorities.
ii) Telecommunication line crossing
The angle of crossing shall preferably be 900.
However, deviation to the extent of 300 may be
permitted under exceptionally difficult
situations. When the angle of crossing is below
600 the matter shall be referred to the

authority incharge of the telecommunication
system. Also, in the crossing span, power line
supports shall be as near the telecommunication
line as possible, to obtain increased vertical
clearance between the wires and.
7.3 The Forest (conservation) Act, 1980 &
environment Rules. This is dealt in detail in
user’s manual, part two volume-2 of
‘Environment’.
7.4 Post & Telegraph Rules
PTCC Clearances is required for crossing of any
P&T Line as per their laid down procedures.
7.5 Roadways, Navigation or Aviation Authorities
Rules
i) Road crossing
At all important crossings, the towers shall be
fitted with normal suspension or tension
insulator strings depending on the type of
towers but the ground clearance at the roads

under maximum temperature and in still air
shall be such that even with conductor bundle
broken in adjacent span, the ground clearance
of the conductor from the road surface shall
not be less than 8.84 metres. At all national
highways tension towers shall be used. The
crossing span, however, shall not exceed 25
metres in any case.
ii) River crossing
In case of major river crossings in planes,
tower shall be of suspension type using double
suspension strings and the anchor towers on
either side of the main river crossing shall be
dead end type. Clearance required by navigation
authority shall be provided. For non-navigable
rivers clearance shall be reckoned with respect
to highest flood level (HFL). River crossing
tower should always be of double circuit type.

7.6 Local governing bodies, Defence Authorities
Rules
While routing the line near defence
installations the necessary clearances are
required to be metwith. Similarly local byelaws
are required to be met.
7.7 CEA Rules
Procedure for getting clearance from Electrical
Inspector :
i) According to the provisions of Rule No. 63
of Indian Electricity Rules-1956 a power
line can be commissioned/energized only
after inspection and approval by the
concerned Electrical Inspector.
ii) In exercise of powers conferred by sub-
section (1) of Indian Electricity Act
1910, Ministry of Energy (Department of
Power) vide notification no. 25/4/81 Desk
(I) dated 20th January 1982 has appointed

Director (Commercial) Central Electricity
Authority to be the central Electricity
Inspector in respect of the transmission
lines and other electrical installations
be longing to and under the control of
POWERGRID.
iii) Before making an application to the
inspector for permission to commence
supply of energy at HV/EHV power lines or
apparatus belonging to him are placed in
position, properly joined and duly
completed and examined. The supply of
energy shall not be commenced by the
supplier unless and until the inspector is
satisfied that the various statutory
requirements stipulated in Indian
Electricity Rules 1956 have been complied
with and the approval in writing of the
Inspector has been obtained.

iv) The following procedure is required to be
adopted when applying for Inspection &
clearance by Electrical Inspector :
a) Form ‘B’ (for transmission lines)
duly filled in with associated
drawings and enclosures should be
forwarded to the respective regional
inspectorial organization sufficiently
in advance before the scheduled
energisation of the line.
b) Form ‘A’ (for sub-station and other
installations) with associated
drawings and enclosures should be
forwarded to the respective Regional
Inspectorial organization sufficiently
in advance before the energisation of
the sub-station and other
installations.
v) Requisite fee as laid down in the schedule
prescribed by the Ministry of Energy

(Deptt. of power) vide order dated
31.1.1981 should be deposited along with
the application forms.
vi) Before forwarding the application to
Regional Inspectorial organization, it
should be ensured that all relevant
provisions of I.E. Rules 1956 as amended
upto date, have been complied with in all
respect.
FORM-A
Government of India
Central Electricity Authority
REGIONAL INSPECTORIAL ORGANISATION FOR VARIOUS
UNION TERRITORIES & CENTRAL GOVT. INSTALLATIONS
FROM TO ACCOMPANY THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE
ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR TO ENERGISE THE HV/EHV
APPARATUS/INSTALLATIONS. UNDER RULE 53 OF THE INDIAN
ELECTRICITY RULES 956
1. Date of application.
2. Probable date of completion.
3. Target date for commissioning.
4. Name of apparatus/installation.
5. Drawing showing the location of the
apparatus/installation to be attached.
6. Type of installations (such as indoor, outdoor,
pole mounted, platform mounted, step-down, step up,
control etc.) with its relevant drawing showing
plan, elevation and sideview.

7. Capacity of the installation, its name plate
details to be attached.
8. Schematic diagram of the installation along with
reference to the installations already energized in
the vicinity to be attached.
9. Details of the control and switchgears provided.
10. Details of the protections provided, such as :-
a) Over-loading
b) Over-heating
c) Explosion
d) Lightning
e) Ground faults
f) Short Circuits
g) Any others.
11. Minimum clearance of the relevant exposed live
conductor from the ground.
12. Whether efficient earthing is provided, the diagram
of earthing of electrodes and earthing system to be
attached.
13. a) Copy of results of HV/EHV tests carried out for
each apparatus to be enclosed.
b) An attested copy of the test results and/or
manufacturer’s test certificates to be enclosed
for each apparatus.
14. Whether all relevant provisions of the Indian
Electricity rules, 1956 have been duly complied
with.
15. Whether the installation has been examined duly
joined and properly checked.
16. A copy of test results in respect of the following
to be furnished.
a) Insulation resistance (with megger having test
voltage of not less than 1000 volts).
i) between HV/EHV to earth.
ii) between HV to earth
iii) between LV and HV/EHV
b) Earth resistance
i) Individual electrodes.
ii) Combined resistance.

iii) Insulating oil tests. (Dielectric strength)
17. Any other features.
18. Any other remarks.
Signature of owner of the
Installations _______________________
Encl. : To be clearly Designation __________________________
Specified Address ______________________________
______________________________________
Date ___________________
FOR USE IN THE OFFICE OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR
REGIONAL INSPECTORIAL ORGANISATION
1. The application scrutinized by Shri _______________
_________________ Designation ___________________
2. Further particulars called under reference No.
________________ Dated ____________
3. Approval granted on ________________ under
reference No. ______________ \Dated ___________
4. Initial inspection carried out on by Shri
__________________ Designation ___________________
5. Recommendation’s issued on _______________________
by Shri _____________ Designation _______________
Under reference No. _____________ Dt. __________
6. Compliance report received under Lr. No.
___________________________ dt. _________________ and
scrutinized by Shri ______________________
Designation _________________________________
FORM-B
Government of India
Central Electricity Authority
REGIONAL INSPECTORIAL ORGANISATION FOR VARIOUS
UNION TERRITORIES & CENTRAL GOVT. INSTALLATIONS
FROM TO ACCOMPANY THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE
ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR TO ENERGISE HV/EHV OVERHEAD LINES
AND FEEDERS ETC. UNDER RULE 63 OF THE INDIAN
ELECTRICITY RULES 1956
1. Date of application.
2. Probable date of completion.
3. Target date for energisation
4. Name of feeder/overhead line.
5. Drawing showing the location tapped from the
existing overhead lines/feeder lines to be
attached.
6. Route length of the feeder (KM). A drawing
indicating the route location where tapped and

important features such as Road, telegraph, canal,
railway or power line crossings etc. to be
furnished.
7. Size and type of supports used.
8. Information about conductors viz. size used.
a) For phases
b) For neutral/earth
c) Ground wires
d) Its configuration
9. Spans
a) Average
b) Minimum
c) Maximum
With drawings of typical spans with supports at
both ends.
10. Minimum Clearance to ground.
11. Minimum Calculated factor of safety for supports
for difference spans :
a) transverse to the line

b) along the line
12. Whether the following have been duly provided :-
a) Anti-climbing device drawing to be furnished :
b) Danger notices : drawing to be furnished.
c) Protection from lightning faults drawing to be
furnished.
d) Protection from snapped conductors drawing to
be furnished.
13. Test results of the earth resistance of the
earthing system.
a) Individual electrodes.
b) Combined resistance.
14. Sizes, type and armouring of HV/EHV cables used to
be furnished.
15. Drawings showing the run of the cables and methods
of layout of the cables to be furnished.
16. Voltage regulation at the end of the feeder to
which the new line is added.
17. Copies of cable manufacturer’s test certificates in
respect of cables to be furnished.

18. Whether all relevant provisions of I.E. Rules –
1956 have been complied with in every respect.
19. Whether the installation has been examined, duly
joined and properly checked.
Signature of owner of the
Installations ___________________
Encl. : To be clearly Designation _____________________
Specified Address _________________________
________________________________
Date ____________________________
FOR USE IN THE OFFICE OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR
REGIONAL INSPECTORIAL ORGANISATION
1. The application scrutinized by Shri
_____________________________________ Designation
_________________________________
2. Further particulars called under reference No.
________________ Dated ____________
3. Approval granted on ________________ under
reference No. ______________ \ Dated _____________
4. Initial inspection carried out on by Shri
________________________ Designation_______________
5. Recommendation’s issued on _____________________by
Shri ______________________ Designation
______________ Under reference No. ________
Dt. ___________________________
6. Compliance report received under Lr. No.
_______________________ dt. _________________ and

scrutinized by Shri ______________________
Designation _________________________________
7. Any other action :

CHAPTER-8
Technical Details of 400 KV Transmission
Line
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CHAPTER
EIGHT
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TECHNICAL DETAILS OF 400 KV TRANSMISSION LINE
The technical information regarding tower and
line material is given below. This information
is required for spotting towers and to know the
restrictions on spans, towers and foundations
and various clearances required to be
maintained etc. This information should be read
and kept in view while finalizing the route.
8.1 General description of the tower :
The towers shall be of the following types :-
a) Single circuit (types A B C & D)
b) Double circuit (types DA, DB, DC & DD)
c) Special towers.
Type of Deviation limits Remarks
tower
1. A, DA 00 to 20 Tangent tower
2. B DB 20 to 150 Can also be used as
section tower with 00
deviation.
3. C, DC 150 to 300 Can also be used as
a) Section tower with
00 deviation.
b) Transposition tower.
4. D, DD 300 to 600 dead Can be used for river X-
end with no angle ing, anchoring with
of deviation on longer wind spans.
line side and
upto 150 on slack
span (gantry
side)
8.2 Special towers :
These are required for particular major river
crossings or for very long spans.

8.3 Tower Extensions :
Single and double circuit towers are designed
to be suitable for adding extensions which are
required for maintaining adequate ground
clearances without reducing the specified
factor of safety in any manner.
8.4 Leg Extensions
Standard leg extensions can be designed to
facilitate spotting towers on hilly slopes
thereby avoiding benching & revetment and
reduces the construction cost. Standard leg
extensions of 1.5, 2.5 & 3.5 mtr. Can be
designed. Foundation can be cast by individual
leg stub setting or by erecting first section
of the tower.
8.5 Electrical clearances :

i) The minimum clearances shall meet with
the requirements given in following
clauses.
ii) Minimum ground clearance from lowest
point of power conductor shall be 8.840
mm.
Note : Extra allowance may be made to provide
for creep undulation in terrain etc.
iii) Minimum mid-span vertical clearance
between power conductor and ground wire in
still air at normal design span shall be
9000 mm.
iv) The earth wire sag shall be not more
than 90 percent of the corresponding sag
of power conductor under still air
conditions for the entire specified
temperature range.
v) Minimum clearance from line parts to
tower body and cross-arm members in the
case of 400 kV lines shall be in
accordance with Table-I.

Table-I Swing Angles and Minimum Clearances from line
Parts to Tower Body Cross-Arm Members
Wind Angle of swing

Pressure
Kg/m2 Insulator Jumper Swing
String
Normal Maximum Switching Surge Power
Swing Swing over voltage Frequency
Over
Normal Maximum Voltage
Swing Swing Maximum
Swing
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
43 210 420 260 (400) (520)

(150) (300) (200)
45 220 440 310 (400) (620)

(150) (300) (200)
52 240 480 340 (400) (680)

(150) (300) (200)
Clearances 3050 1860 3050 1860 3050

(mm)
NOTE : The values given in the brackets are the revised
values. It is proposed to ultimately retain the revised
values only and deleter the old values.

8.6 Clearance between the Overhead line and the
Railway track.
Clearance between the overhead line and railway
track shall be in accordance with the
Regulations for Electrical Crossings of Railway
tracks laid down by the Railway Authorities.
Vertical clearances.
The minimum height above rail level of the
lowest portion of any conductor of a crossing
including grand wire under conditions of
maximum shall be as follows.
Voltages Broad, Metre and
Narrow Gauge
Above 220 kV and 19.30 metres
upto 400 kV
NOTE : While calculating the above clearances,
railways high tension lines running over the
1500 V DC traction structure in some sections
have not been taken into consideration. Where

such high tension lines exist, the height above
the rail level of the highest high tension line
shall be taken into account for calculating the
clearances.
8.6.1 Important Details of towers:
(400 KV Line)
S. Particu-lars A DA B DB C DC D DD
No.
1. Total Height 30.436 45.243 30.243 44.890 31.095 44.890 32.855 45.490
above GL in M
2. Height of 26.016 26.033 21.850 21.860 21.850 21.860 21.855 21.860
Bottom cross
Arm above GL in
M
3. Width of bottom 11.000 7.050 11.70 7.60 12.40 8.990 12.70 8.69
cross arm from
GL in M
4. Base width in M 8.500 9.5 9.300 1.50 9.60 13.400 11.00 14.00
5. Wt. Of tower in 6.270 10.246 9.313 19.024 10.804 19.534 15.063 25.376
M.T.
6. Volume of 2.53 4.91 4.35 11.11 8.13 13.54 16.32 31.59
concrete for
normal dry
foundation in
cubic metres
7. Configuration Horizo Vertic Horizo Vertic Horizo Vertic Horizo Vertic
ntal al ntal al ntal al ntal al
8. Normal span in 400 400 400 400 400 400 400 400
M
8.7 Wind span
The wind span is the sum of the two half spans
adjacent to the tower under consideration. For

normal horizontal spans, this is equal to the
normal ruling span itself.
8.8 Weight span
The weight span is the horizontal distance
between the lowest points of the conductors in
the adjacent spans of the tower.
Maximum 1.5 x normal span
Minimum 0.80 x normal span
NOTE : The cross arms for medium and heavy
angle towers shall be suitable for a weight
span of 3 times the normal span.
8.8.1 Weight span limits (In mtrs.)
Tower type Normal Condition Broken wire condition

A & DA 600 320 360 160
B, DB, C 600 0.0 360 0.0
DC & DD
8.9 Heavy Weight span and negative weight spans :

Wherever heavy weight spans and uplifts beyond
permissible limits are met with, then detailed
design calculations are carried out for
suitable modification to in towers and
foundations.
8.10 Maximum Temperature of Current 750C
Carrying power Conductor exposed
to sun
8.11 Maximum temperature of 530C
Groundwire Exposed to sun
8.12 Maximum Wind Pressure and As in IS-802
Minimum Temperature conditions
8.13 Conductors
i) Number of Subconductors
per phase Two
ii) Spacing between subconductors 450 mm
iii) Bundle Arrangement Horizontal
8.14 Earthwire
i) Number of earthwires Two
ii) Shielding Angle 200
8.15 Insulator Strings
i) Maximum Length of suspension
Strings from Shackle Attach-
ment at Hanger to Centre line
of Conductor 3850 mm
ii) Maximum length of tension
string from Tower attachment
to compression Dead-end 5450 mm,
attachment Min. 300 mm
8.16 Hanger
8.17 Clearances
i) Minimum Ground Clearance
from Lowest point of Power

Conductor 8840
mm
ii) Minimum Clearance from live
Parts to tower body and As in
cross-arm members Table-I
iii) Minimum mid-span vertical
clearance between power
conductor and ground wire
in still air 9000 mm
8.18 Broken Wire Condition
i) Suspension Towers Any groundwire
or
bundle whichever is
more stringent for a
particular member
ii) Tension Towers Any groundwire or
bundle
whichever is
more stringent for
a particular member
8.19 Factors of Safety
a) Towers
i) Normal condition 2.0
ii) Broken wire condition 1.5
b) Foundations
i) Normal condition 2.2
ii) Broken wire condition 1.65
8.20 Conductor and Earthwire
For maximum of tensions
corresponding to 2/3 maximum
wind pressure at minimum
temperature or maximum wind
pressure to the mean annual
temperature do not exceed
35 percent of their ultimate
tensile strengths and the

final unloaded tensions at
the mean temperature do not
exceed 22 percent of ultimate
strength of the conductor
and 20 percent of the ultimate
strength of groundwire. 2.0
8.21 Tests As per relevant
IS specifications
-------------------------------------------------------
ANNEXURE-I
APPROVAL PROCEDURES
Line survey is the first & utmost important activity
for any Transmission line project. It is rather spinal
cord of such projects, Hence.
i) There is a dire need to conduct pre invitation
survey more seriously for an accurate
assessment of tower quantity, requirement of
various line materials etc.

ii) The selection of major crossing should be
decided by a joint meeting after studying all
possible aspects including cost of crossing.
iii) The site has to be studied and surveyed in proper manner and
comparison should be drawn similar line (common terrain, line
length, climate conditions) etc.
iv) The survey of high voltage line must be carried out accurately and
expeditiously. A mistake in the field or subsequent of office work
may pass undetected to an advanced stage in construction, thus
causing unnecessary expenditure & delay, in completion of line. In
view of these parameters the line survey approval shall be carried out
in stages as detailed out below :
I) Selection of route on topomaps.
i) The should be drawn by the field executives (E1/E2/E3) and all
the alternate routes should be well defined stating the merits
and demerits of each route.
ii) The proposed routes should be thoroughly checked and verified
by the Line incharge/Group Manager and recommended for
approval.
iii) The approval be accorded by the Divisional head (Not below
E7 level) for carrying out the preliminary survey.
II. Preliminary survey report
i) The report should be prepared in the required format by the
field executives (E1/E2/E3).
ii) It should be checked and verified 100% by the line
incharge/Group Manager and clear cut recommendations be
given for the approval. Visits should be made to all angle
points & major crossings. Number of sections with average
span should be work out. Number of cutpoints/angle points
should be kept minimum.
iii) The approval shall be accorded by the Divisional head (Not
below E7 level). He should also possibly visit 50% angle
towers locations including major crossings.
iv) The approval report shall also be countersigned by GM
(Region).
III. Detail survey report

i) The detail survey report shall be prepared as per the given
guidelines by the field executives (E1/E2/E3) givining
complete details of type of towers, average span, section length
etc. Report should also include apart from crossings all
vulnerable locations requiring revetment/benching. Contour
maps be drawn and approximate volumes be work out. Attempt
should be made to use leg extensions at such locations to avoid
benching/revetment.
ii) The report should be thoroughly checked and verified by the
line incharge/Group Manager. Visit should be made to the
angle points, major crossing and all vulnerable locations
requiring benching/revetment. It should be brought out clearly
as to why such locations could not be avoided in tower
spotting.
iii) The final approval shall be accorded by the Divisional head
(not below E7 level). He should be visit possibly 25% angle
locations, major crossings and locations requiring
benching/revetment.
iv) The final approval report shall be countersigned by GM
(Region).
-------------------------------------------------------
ANNEXURE-II
GUIDELINES
i) Remember you are entrusted with the most
responsible work on transmission line projects.
Your work will reflect on the economics of the
line costs. Bad workmanship will be perpetuated
in its existence throughout the life of line.
Hence be cautions and conscientious.
ii) Never, draw conclusions quickly. Study all
details, factors and alternatives and take
decisions free of adverse comments.
iii) Keep your instruments, vehicle & tools in proper working condition.
Attend repairing promptly. A stitch in time saves nine. Here it saves
lot of worries and time.

iv) Collect only authentic information from appropriate agencies, say
MFL of rivers from P.W.D. authorities, railway track details from
railway authorities, canal boundaries from canal authorities.
v) Collect all possible relevant information. You will find in the
proceeding chapters the extent of information that can be collected by
an active survey or your survey records should be adequate for
checking any survey aspect at drawing office itself without running
again to site.
vi) Do attempt fast work but not at the expense of accuracy. Rectification
of defective work which is completed fast costs more than saving
supposed to have been obtained by quicker completion.
vii) Do not get tired of natural obstacles. Overcome them by common
sense and intelligent planning. Never waste your time in wild pursuits
without intelligent purpose.
viii) Ensure goodwill of general public whom you come across in order to
get familiarized with your area or work quickly.
ix) Minimise wear and tear of instrument and vehicle. Limited use of
them will ensure reliability and longer length of life.

x) Remember fair weather season for efficient work is very limited.
Maximum use of such seasons alone can give you reasonable
progress.
xi) Discuss problems encountered during work with your superiors and
colleagues and staff. It would always be found that what had missed
your attention could be caught up easily by the other with whom you
discuss the problem.
xii) New assignment means experience in new area. Build up your
knowledge there with new experiences. Try to share such experiences
with your colleagues for better dispersion and utility of useful details
collected by you.
CHAPTER-9
Guidelines
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CHAPTER
NINE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
GUIDELINES
GL-1 RECCE SURVEY
1.0 The basic requirement of a transmission line is
to carry the desire bulk power at maximum
efficiency and to achieve this, the line should
be of shortest length feasible, since the line
losses are proportional to the length of the
line.
2.0 While selecting the route one should be fully
aware of the requirements of transmission
lines, statutory provisions, information
required to be collected, prevailing cost of
various elements of Transmission lines etc.
3.0 Bee-line is the shortest distance between the two points of origin
of the transmission line proposed. Survey should be carried out as

closed to the bee-line as possible keeping in mind of the other
required statutory conditions.
4.0 A master mosaic has to be prepared by fixing all the topographical
maps (scale 1 cm = 0.5 km) in their respective position and obtaining
a belt width of minimum 10 km (20 cms) on either side of center line
between the two terminal points.
5.0 a) The proposed route of line should be the shortest
practicable distance. The following factors shall be considered in
the choice of the route :-
i) It is advantageous to lay the line near to or along roadway. The
line should be approachable.
ii) In the case of rural lines it has become quite common to locate
lines a short distance from the highway in order to miss all
trees. This practice has many advantages; the trees are
preserved, tree trimming expense is eliminated, there are no
outages from trees falling into the line, no long poles are
required to go over trees, side arms are not required, and stub
guyed are not required.

iii) Follow Section Lines. Doing this causes less damage to farmers
property and, therefore, makes it possible to purchase the right-
of-way more economically. Paralleling railroads is desirable for
the same reason, because the farms have already been cut and,
therefore, the additional damage is negligible.
iv) Route in Direction of Possible Future Loads. If there is
possibility of adding power loads, the route selected should be
such as to come as near as possible to such locations, provided
that the additional cost is not excessive.
v) Cost of securing and clearing right of way (ROW), making
access roads and time required for these works should be
minimum.
vi) Corridor through which line is taken should have sufficient
space to take care of future load developments without major
modifications.
vii) Crossing with permanent objects, such as railway lines and
roads should be minimum and preferably at right angles.

viii) In case of hilly terrain it is necessary to conduct detailed survey
and locate the tower positions. The proposition should be most
economical and safe.
ix) Preserve the Environment. Line routes should be selected
which are the least visible from scenic locations or lower areas
where people pass or congregate. A simple test of visibility can
be carried out by touring roads and points close to a proposed
b) The following areas should be avoided as far as possible
while selecting route.
i) Marshy areas, low lying levels, river beds, earth slip zones, etc.
involving risk to stability of foundation.
ii) Good farming areas, uneven terrain, damage to public and
private properties, religious places, civil and defence
installations, industries, take off funnels, habitation of
important crops, quarry sites or underground mines, gardens
and plantations etc.
iii) Areas which will creates of right of way and way leave
problems.
iv) Thick forest or areas involving heavy compensatory payments
for acquisitions of land etc.
v) Building containing explosives, bulk storage oil tanks, or gas
pipelines etc.
vi) Aerodromes, helipads and their approaches.
6.0 Recce Survey
The Recce survey is also essential for collecting the first hand
account of various important field data required for transmission line
works which are as under :
i) Major power line crossing details (66 KV and above)
ii) Railway crossing details.
iii) Major river crossing details.
iv) Sources of construction materials, viz. metal, sand, water etc.
along the line.
v) Important rail heads for the purpose of receipt of materials.
vi) Important villages or stations coming enroute for the purpose
of selection of labour camps.
vii) Nature of soil strata along the route and terrain.

viii) Availability of labour, their present rate on daily basis or on
contract basis.
ix) Names of the major towns for the purpose of selection of site
offices.
For fixing the final alignment and angle points on the ground as per
the reconnaissance survey, route alignment survey shall be carried out
with a theodolite, survey chains/measuring tapes/electronic distance
measuring instruments.
x) Information about transport limitation particularly for the line
materials should be obtained from rail, road or navigation
authorities where required. This may involve procurement of
special trailers or alternatively restricts the size and weight of
the package in uneven terrain where head loading is more often
resorted to ;
GUIDELINES
GL-2 WALKOVER SURVEY
2.0 Walkover survey means going over the area
associated with the alternative routes proposed
and collecting features observed other than
those existing on the map. In addition the
indication of following features should also be
checked without fail.
i) Communication lines.
ii) Power lines.
iii) Expanding villages and towns.
iv) Rich gardens and plantations etc.
v) Aerodromes, radar center, rifle ranges.
vi) Undulating reaches unfit for erection and maintenance.
vii) Roads constructed and roads improved recently.
viii) Steep sloping terrain or steep slopes of hills.
ix) Large tanks, lakes, water-logged areas etc.
x) Reserved Forests and wooded areas with high trees.

xi) High hillocks and stretches with large boulders.
xii) Irrigation wells likely to be made, tube-well pump houses.
xiii) Forests where menance of wild elephants persist.
xiv) Private property limits where right of way cannot be obtained.
xv) Availability of saddles in hill section for better crossing of
valleys.
xvi) Ghat roads in hills.
xvii) Gardens with grafted fruit trees.
xviii) Prohibited areas declared under statutory regulations.
xix) Rocky areas.
On Completion of the walkover survey the proposal of the most
suited route is further studied and approval obtained from the
head of department of transmission before taking up preliminary
survey.
GUIDELINES
GL-3 PRELIMINARY SURVEY

2.5 Preliminary survey
On completion of route alignment in the field, the following
schedules/information should be prepared for submission of the
Preliminary Survey Report.
1. Schedule of Angle Points.
2. Approximate schedule of various types of towers, extensions and
abstract of tower requirement.
3. Brief description of terrain between each Angle Point section report
to be submitted.
4. Brief write-up regarding infrastructural facilities railway siding,
availability of aggregates, sand etc.
5. Railway crossing details with diagrams.
6. Major river crossings with profiles.
7. Major power line crossings with profiles.
8. Tree cutting schedule.

9. Sketch of angle points w.r.t. the permanent feature in the
neighbourhood.
10. Schedule indicating the line material quantities.
11. Soil resistivity results.
12. Route alignment map (s).
13. Route alignment drawings should be prepared as indicated below :-
a. Preliminary route alignment drawings showing the proposed route
should be drawn to a scale of 1 cm = 0.5 km (1:50,000).
b. The alignment should be plotted on survey of India maps to the scale
indicated above.
c. Alignment should be plotted on the map with North being clearly
indicated on each drawing. Longitude and Latitude should also be
indicated on the drawings.
d. Route length when physically measured on the alignment drawing
shall be within the allowable limits (1:500).
14. Names of towns and villages should be indicated separately along
with petrol and diesel filling stations and automobile work shops if
any, falling stations and automobile work shops if any, falling in the
vicinity of the proposed route.

15. Sources of quarry points for stones, and water should also be
indicated separately.
16. The certificate need to be given that the route has been aligned
keeping the minimum distances from the civil/defence/vital
installation, rifle ranges and P&T lines and that efforts have been
made to avoid Reserved/Protected forests etc.
17. Following additional infrastructural information need to be given in
Survey Report.
a. Nature of terrain and reach-wise communication facilities.
b. Soil conditions including sub-soil water table as collected from wells
along the road.
c. Sources of water enroute.
d. Approach roads and their suitability, reachwise.
e. Rail heads for receiving material and facilities for storage.
f. Places suitable for open and closed stores (for cement, costly OSM,
etc.)
g. Availability of local labour, rate, season of availability etc.
h. List of suppliers of material like metal, sand etc.

i. Source of metal, sand and other material, costs including
transportation.
j. Working season.
k. Transport contractors available in the area.
l. Availability of transport on hire.
m. Identification of convenient section/reaches w.r.t. the above facilities.
n. Identification of convenient field sub-headquarters.
o. Address of State Govt./Electricity/Forest/P&T/PWD officials, who
have jurisdiction over the areas associated with the route of
transmission line.
p. Nearest post office, telegraph office, bank, police station, hospital etc.
q. List of Petrol and Diesel outlets along the line. Section-wise
quantities of tower for the entire route for single circuit A, B, C and D
type and D/C DA, DB, DC and DD type towers shall be worked out
from the route survey and shall be tabulated and submitted.
18. Quantity of the entire line material required shall be estimated on the
basis of design criteria.

GUIDELINES
GL-4 DETAILED SURVEY

1.0 Levelling
i) GTS/PWD Bench marks enroute are to be identified and the
entire leveling network should be connected to these Bench
marks.
ii) Levels be taken at every 30 mtrs. Apart, along the route.
iii) In addition for any sudden change of slopes (over 30 cm in
height), cuttings, shallow portions are to be taken.
iv) All details along the line up to 50 m on either side should be
correctly picked up at the time of leveling and depicted on the
plan.
v) Details like name of villages, Temples etc. should be picked up
upto 200 m on either side of the line.
vi) All trees, which are likely to be cut for way leave clearance,
should be picked up correctly by taking offsets from the center
line and depicted on plan. The girth, height, type of trees,

number of trees etc. should be entered in tree enumeration
register and submitted alongwith profile during approval.
vii) Note down the angle of crossing of roads, railway tracks, P&T
line, power line, etc. The boundaries of roads, Railway line are
to be clearly marked on the plan.
viii) In case the line passes through slopes, i.e., side long ground,
levels should be taken on the transverse sides also in addition
to the center line to enable checking the adequacy of ground
clearance for side conductors. This will be useful for
determining the necessity of protective works like revetment
etc.
ix) Height of the top most wire of the power line or telephone line
crossed, should be taken at the point of crossing. Proposal of
extensions for requisite clearance depends upon this height and
hence needs accuracy.
x) Chainages of stretches like marshy areas, water logged areas,
compounds, gardens etc., should be correctly marked.
xi) All details required for preparing railway, road, river crossings
etc. should be collected.

xii) Destination of roads/Rly. Lines/P&T lines/Power lines being
crossed should be marked on both the sides of crossing.
xiii) Sub-soil data, (water table) to be collected along the route.
2.0 Plan & Profile
i) The profile is plotted at 30 m intervals, and even more
frequently if sudden changes in elevation occur. The plan, of
course, should show both chainage and alignment.
ii) General characteristics of the soil formation should be included
on the plan, noting weather clay, gravel, rock etc. exists as this
information has a direct influence on the choice of foundation
types.
iii) Where railways, highways streams channels, airports,
communication circuits, and other transmission lines are to be
crossed, their location, direction and controlling elevations
should be clearly shown.
iv) A horizontal scale of 1:2,500 and a vertical scale of 1:250 is
generally found to be convenient for drawing the profile.

iv) The complete line must be plotted with a view to producing the
most economical result which will meet the electrical
requirements as well as sustain the anticipated external loads.
3.0 Tower spotting and Sag template
I) The following data are required for taking up profiling and
plotting.
i) Specification of profiling and plotting including scales to be
adopted.
ii) Type of towers, standard extensions & leg extension.
iii) Base widths, excavation areas, depth of excavation for various
type of towers with/without extensions.
iv) Normal wind and weight span.
v) Minimum weight span for tangent tower.
vi) Sag-template curves.
vii) Maximum single spans for all type of towers.
viii) Specifications for statutory clearances.
ix) The height of the towers, insulator strings, hangers and other
attachments.
x) Details of conductor, earthwire, insulators including wind
loads, maximum and minimum temperatures and corresponding
working tensions.
II) on having obtained the above information, the plotting and
profiling can be done as given below :
i) Suitable datum should be selected. Mention clearly whether the
datum selected is arbitrary or based on MSL.
ii) The scale of plan should be that of longitudinal section.
iii) Each profile roll should contain the name of the agency, name
of the line, scales adopted for plotting, reaches and locations in
the profile roll and roll number on the plan at the beginning and
at the end of each profile roll.
4.0 Checking of profile drawings :
i) Compare the details in profile drawings with survey records
carefully.
ii) After completing spotting of towers with conductor and ground
clearance curves drawn, the tower schedule (in the given
proforma is to be prepared).
iii) List of trees to be cut is to be prepared in the given format.

iv) The profiles are to be checked for all the details as given earlier
before submission for approval.
v) The profiles neatly drawn with the above guidelines indicated
will be checked and approved by the Competent Authority and
returned to the Engineer-in-charge of the line.
vi) These points on the profiles are to be transferred on to the
ground and checked with the physical features.
vii) Final alignment and pegging of locations to be carried out as
per the plotting given earlier.

GL-5 ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Line is routed along the valley and the lower slopes of the hills or
mountains and away from lake, thus causing minimum interference
with natural landmarks. The roots also avoids disruption of natural
lines (Fig. I).
2. Line routed across plains but curves between hills or mountains,
causing least disruption of natural lines (Fig. II).
3. Line crosses highway at close to a right angle thereby reducing sight
distance to a minimum. (Fig. III).
4. Line crosses hill or mountains, thereby causing a long visible scar. It
also exposes the right-of-way to soil erosion. (Fig. IV).
5. Line should be located adjacent to rail road right-of-way. (Fig. V).
6. Merging line with natural scenery by providing natural, shrubbery
and low trees. (Fig. VI).

CHAPTER-10
Check Format
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER
TEN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK FORMAT

1. CHECK FORMAT FOR ROUTE CHOICE
a) Line is approachable. Difficult and unsafe approaches are avoided. Yes/No
b) Route is short and as straight as possible Yes/No
c) Number of likely angle towers are minimum and within these, the Yes/No
number of heavier angle towers are as small as possible
d) Good farming areas, uneven terrains, religious places, civil and Yes/No
defence installations, industries, aerodromes and their approach and
take-off funnels, public and private premises, ponds, tanks, lakes,
gardens and plantations are avoided as far as practicable.
e) Cost of securing and clearing right-of-way (ROW), making access Yes/No
roads and the time required for these work are minimum
f) Line is as away as possible from telecommunication lines and should Yes/No
not run parallel to these.
g) Crossing with permanent objects, such as railway lines and roads are Yes/No
minimum and at right angles. Reference is made to the appropriate
railways regulations and railways electrification rules as well as civil
authorities for protection to be provided for railway and road
crossings, respectively.
h) A detour in the route is prefer so that it is capable to take of future Yes/No
load developments without major modifications
i) Line is away from the buildings containing explosives, bulk storage Yes/No
oil tanks, oil or gas pipelines.
j) Forest area and other relevant environmental issues are negotiated on Yes/No
principal of avoidance, minimization & mitigation.
2. CHECK FORMAT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEY
a) Schedule of angle points and various type of towers are prepared in Yes/No
given format
b) Route alignment maps on specified scale are prepared Yes/No
c) Infrastructure facilities such as water, approach roads, Rail heads, Yes/No
Communication facilities, working season convenient field subhead
quarters etc. are available.
d) Sketch of Angle points are drawn in a manner described in the User’s Yes/No
Manual Vol. I
e) River crossings with profiles are prepared as per guidelines given. Yes/No
f) Tree cutting schedule and forest proposal prepared in given format Yes/No
g) Estimate of all line materials required for the entire line is prepared as Yes/No
per the detailed guide lines in the User’s Manual Vol. 1
h) Possibility to locate Transposition tower at a point where ‘B’ type Yes/No
tower with 00 has been used as cut point (section tower) is explored.
[This will result in economy as differential cost locating transposition
tower shall be (C-B) instead of (C-A) type of tower]
i) As far as possible, tower spotting in marshy, water-logged areas, low Yes/No
lying areas, rocky locations etc. are avoided.
j) Wherever possible, uplift under conditions of minimum sag is Yes/No
avoided on all towers, but if impossible, special consideration should
be given to the attachment of the conductor at uplift point
k) The soil conditions noted on line plan are considered in locating Yes/No
towers if they are likely to present any particular problems in
designing or installing footings.
i) Wet, marshy or swampy ground are avoided for obvious reasons. Yes/No
Areas of badly broken or fissured rock should also be avoided if the
use of grouted anchor bolts does not appear practical as earth type
footings in such rock can be set only after very costly excavation.
m) Length of section is about 5 to 6 Kms. on average basis for 400 kV Yes/No
transmission lines.
3.0 CHECK FORMAT FOR DETAILED SURVEY
a) The wind spans and the weight spans are within permissible limits Yes/No
b) Statutory clearances from power lines, telecommunications circuits, Yes/No
roads, etc. are available. If diversion of any power lines or
communication lines that are crossed is required, mention thereof is
made.
c) Inadequate ground clearance that may be unavoidable due to bund, Yes/No
sloping ground, etc. and consequent trimming or cutting of slope that
may be necessary are mentioned in the profile drawing.
d) Lateral clearances to rivers, canal edges, roads, railway tracks, etc. are Yes/No
adequate
e) The types of foundations required, based on trial pit escavation Yes/No
reports, are to be mentioned
f) Extension of coping work or building a platform to prevent tower Yes/No
legs coming in contact with water is proposed where water level is
likely to be above the normal coping level.
g) The distance between angle points is the sum of all spans in that Yes/No
section
h) Levelling of ground before grouting the stubs is proposed for towers Yes/No
on uneven ground.
i) Revetment work is proposed for towers on slopes with reasons Yes/No
j) The conductor curves are drawn in spans of power line, river and Yes/No
railway crossings and the relative vertical clearances as obtained are
indicated.
k) Span of towers for 400 KV transmission lines on average basis is 400 Yes/No
meters.
_____________________________________________________________________
_
RESUMES
_____________________________________________________________________
_
OUR TEAM
(1) Sh. V.C. Agarwal, AGM, is B.E. (Civil) and M.E. (Hons.)
in ‘Soil Mech. and Fndns. Engg.’ From Univ. of Roorkee,
Roorkee.
He has 27 yrs. of vast experience in Construction,
Planning and Monitoring of large Transmission Projects.
(2) Sh. D.K. Valecha, Sr. Manager, is B.Sc. Engg.
(Electrical) from Reg. Engg. College, Kurukshetra.
He has 17 yrs. of varied experience in Planning &
Monitoring, Construction, Operation & Maintenance of
Transmission Lines and Substations.
(3) Sh. J.K. Parihar, Manager, is B.E. Elect. (Hons.) from
Univ. of Jodhpur, Jodhpur.
(4) Sh. R. Nagpal, Manager, is B.E. Elect. (Hons.) from
Punjab Engg. College Chandigarh and MBA from Indira
Gandhi National Open Univ., New Delhi.
(5) Sh. B.K. Jana, Dy. Manager, is B.E. (Civil) from Regional
Engineering College Durgapur and M.Tech. in Applied
Mechanics from I.I.T. Delhi.
He has 13 yrs. of varied experience in Design, Planning &
Coordination of Sub-station works, TL Fndns., Pile Fndns.
& other special heavy Foundations.

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FOR INTERNAL CIRCULATION ONLY

DOCUMENT CODE NO. : CM/LS/LINE SURVEY/96 JUNE, 1996

PRELIMINARY SURVEY REPORT

KNOWLEDGE OF RULES AND PROCEDURES

TECHNICAL DETAILS OF 400 KV

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Electric power is today playing an increasingly

important role in the life of the community and

development of various sectors of economy. Developing

countries like India are therefore giving a high

priority to power development programs. In fact, the

economy is becoming increasingly dependent on

electricity as a basic input.

Transmission facilities provide the means of

connecting the generating capacities to the load

centres. Interconnections of adequate capacities

between individual systems enable interconnected

operation of these systems which provide the key to

various benefits such as use of large, low-cost

generating units, capacity savings due to load

diversity, minimization of reserves, emergency

utilisation of the generation and transmission

facilities available in the area as a whole. The grid

development in the country has followed the logical

sequence of unification of power systems within a

state, interconnection of neighbouring state systems,

and linking of systems between the regions.

1.1 Line survey

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An EHV Transmission line generally links a Generating

station and a sub-station or two sub-stations or two

Generating stations as may be necessary. The basic

requirement of a transmission line is to carry the

desired bulk power at maximum efficiency and to

achieve this, the line should be of shortest length

feasible, since the line losses are proportional to

the length of the line. Therefore the aim of the

preliminary survey is to explore in the field the

most economical and feasible route of constructing a

particular transmission line. Hence, while selecting

the route one should be fully aware of the

requirements of transmission lines, statutory

provisions, information required to be collected,

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transmission line proposed. It is straight line drawn connecting

the two points. Routing the transmission line along

this line may not always be possible due to site

conditions. However, survey should be carried out as

closed to the bee-line as possible keeping in mind of

the other required statutory conditions.

1.3 Plotting of route on topo map :

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The latest available topographical maps covering the

area between the two end points of the transmission

line drawn to the scale of 1:50000 (1 cm = 0.5km)

should be procured from Survey of India. A master

mosaic has to be prepared by fixing all the

topographical maps in their respective position and