Protection zone for an electrical installation

Electricity hazard sign

Protection zone for an overhead line

The protection zone for an overhead line is the land area and airspace bounded on both sides along the axis of the line by imaginary vertical planes, with its extent on both sides of the line axis as follows, depending on the voltage class:

• 110 kV – 25 metres
• 330 kV – 40 metres

The protection zone for an overhead line above navigable inland water bodies is the airspace running along the line, which is bounded on both sides by imaginary vertical planes located 100 metres from the outermost cables of the line.

Read more about the restrictions on land use and safety instructions arising from the protection zone.

 

Protection zone for an underground cable line

The protection zone for an underground cable line is an area running along the cable line, bounded on both sides by imaginary vertical planes located 1 metre from the outermost cables of the line.

 

Protection zone for submarine cable line

The protection zone for a submarine cable line is the water area extending from the surface of water to the bottom running along the cable line, which is bounded on both sides by imaginary vertical planes located 100 metres from the outermost cables of the line in the sea and lakes and 50 metres in rivers.

 

Protection zone for power plants and substations

The protection zone around power plants, substations and distribution equipment extends 2 metres from the fence, wall of the building or, in their absence, from the equipment.

Protection zone for a substation

 

Tillage and irrigation

There are no restrictions when working with agricultural machinery in the protection zone for power lines – care must be taken to ensure that a sufficient safety distance is ensured between the cables and the machinery.

The use of machinery and mechanisms whose working height can exceed 4.5 metres (e.g. forklifts, loaders, etc.) must be avoided under and closer than 5 metres to the cables. Particular care must be taken when moving machinery near towers, as getting caught in the tower’s tensioners or coming into contact with the tower can create a dangerous situation and lead to a claim for compensation for the damage caused.

Irrigation equipment must be installed in such a way as to prevent water jets from coming closer than 5 metres to the cables.

 

Construction activities (including excavation and construction of drainage ditches)

Any construction activities (including excavation and construction of drainage ditches) in the protection zone for an overhead line must be approved by Elering in advance during the planning and design stages to avoid future misunderstandings. To carry out the work, an application for a permit to operate in the protection zone must be submitted.

The prerequisites for obtaining a permit to operate in the protection zone are:

• ensuring safety when working with machinery and mechanisms;
• ensuring access to the towers with maintenance equipment both during and after excavation work;
• ensuring the preservation and integrity of the earthing installations of towers.

When applying for an approval, please submit relevant drawings and diagrams, which must be adhered to during subsequent work.

 

Felling trees and storing felled material

Felling trees and storing felled material in the protection zone for an overhead line without prior approval from Elering is prohibited. To obtain a permit for work, an application for operating in the protection zone must be submitted to Elering.

Along with the issuance of the permit, the potential hazards associated with the work and the work methods that ensure safety are introduced:

• Before felling a tree, make sure that the work has been technologically planned and that precautions have been taken.
• The tree must be felled either along the line or into the forest, i.e. in the opposite direction to the line; felling trees in the direction of the line is strictly prohibited.
• When transporting and storing timber, care must be taken to ensure that movement with lifting equipment and loads is safe and that safety distances are maintained.

Be sure to read more about safety of electrical installations (in estonian)