| [College of ACES] | [University of Illinois] | [Illinois CES] |
Thanks a lot for your insights on Hendrix. The video I seen did speak of operational
experiences. Claiming little to no outages where the system was in place, which I am sure
was a limited area. I'll get back to you with the specifics.
I am concerned about the safety factor. I am also concerned about line clearance objectives
developed by industry reliant upon those activities. Obviously the greater the distance
maintained between lines and trees, the greater the safety. At what point is the distance
safe. Seems to me that distance will vary upon the circumstances.
My hope and objective: Hendrix cable installed in areas of high tree-conductor conflict
could represent a more economical way by not eliminating pruning but minimizing the
pruning needed to achieve the smaller target area where the real conflicts evolve.
Perhaps you can tell me what the spacial configurations are for conventional lines. If you
were to take the distance between their extreme positions vertically to be 6' and add the 10'
clearance desired that would give you a specific area that needed to be maintained. The
Hendrix system appears to occupy a much smaller area( about 18") even added to the
additional 10' needed for clearances, which I don't think is applicable because of the
messenger being on top, this suggest to me that a smaller area is needed in maintenance.
This smaller area seems a advantage in residential areas where tree conflicts result in
aggressive pruning techniques that result in objectionable aesthetic and unnecessary
damage to trees.
As to your concern about the stronger messenger cable causing additional pole breakage.
Surely the cables strength could be adjusted accordingly
I am not sure but I think the messenger also plays some role in deactivating energized lines
when their downed.
Comparing conventional lines to the Hendrix system is like comparing apples to grapes.
The differences need to be fully explored. I hope you forgive my ignorance in this area of
energized lines. Please straighten me out. I'm just an arborist who thinks maybe this
Hendrix system is a more desirable approach in certain situations that will respect tree
needs. bemuch more aesthetic and possibly be more economical.
George Schrader schrader@beaches.net