[TowerTalk] Guy Wire Insulators

[K7LXC at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/25/04 8:55:10 PM Pacific Daylight Time, bjtatum at ev1.net 
writes:

>        This is my first time to insulate my guy wires from the tower.I am 
> putting up 90 feet of 45-G, guyed at 3 levels using the GB-45G guy 
brackets. 
> I have some of the  guy wire insulators { similiar to # 502} and was 
curious 
> if there was a better way to utilize these insulators than what I plan to 
do :
> 
>          1. Cut a piece of 1/4" EHS guy wire approx. 4' long.
>          2. Attach a PLP preform with 3/8" thimble to one end of this guy 
> wire piece.
>          3. Attach the insulator using PLP preform to the other end of this 
> guy wire piece.
>          4. Attach the tower guy wire to the insulator with PLP preform.
>          5. Attach the thimble to the GB-45G guy bracket.
>          6. Tension and land guy wire to equilizer plate as normal.
>                       I  have a few special clevis fixtures that have a 
> curved bolt and they fit these insulators, but I am a little scared of 
them. 
> I found them in some used tower guying materials. They would eliminate the 
> need for the 4' cable piece and 2 extra preforms. I was curious if there is 
> an acceptable clevis-type U-bolt that would adapt the insulators straight 
to 
> the GB-45G brackets? If I use the 4' cable pieces the insulators will be 
just 
> about out of reach in case I needed to bridge across them with a resistor.

    Umm, I guess I'm not sure why you'd need to bridge the insulator with a 
resistor but everything else sounds fine. Typical clevis (shackle) sizes are 
twice the diameter of the wire; i.e. for 1/4" guy wire, use 1/2" clevises. If in 
doubt, over-engineer it. BTW those bent bolt clevises are designed for 
insulator attachment.

    The only caution with PLP Preformed grips is that there are 2 crossover 
marks on them; the first one closest to the end loop is for normal thimble 
connections. The second set is for use when they go thru insulators; the grip 
angle is shallower and it puts less strain on the grip strands. Other than that, 
you should be good to go. 

Cheers,
Steve     K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for commercial and amateur
888-833-3104