[TowerTalk] Guying free-standing towers: the initial post

[Jim Jarvis]

If I remember correctly, this started with a question
from a chap who is putting up a self-supporter which
is too close to a power line.  He asked if there were
any problems with a safety guy.

There was ONE direct answer...keep it loose and you'll
be fine.  Then the thread took on a life of its own.

Let's be clear, however:  Tensioned guys add load to a tower.
Therefore, the tower will reach its material failure point
sooner.  Might be 5%, might be 50%, depending on how much
you stress it, and where.  Answering the implied questions
requires careful structural analysis, not debate.  

The function of the guys, is NOT to add strength to the 
system.  The function is to force a different failure mode,
and the price of doing that will be reduced load rating, or
earlier failure, if loaded to original specification.

There was one OTHER useful observation:  make
certain you have it well grounded, and hope for the best.

As for me, I would strongly encourage locating the tower
further (safely) away from the power line, and following
the manufacturer's installation instructions.   

n2ea
jimjarvis at ieee.org