RCM I1

INFORMATION
WORKSHEET
1994 Aladon Ud

SYSTEM

No.

Wood Cross Arms

SUB-SYSTEM

FUNCTION

To support conductors and

?quipment up to the
naximum design loading and
naintain conductor clearances

FUNCTIONAL FAILURE

Uot capable of supporting

:onductor or equipment up to
he maximum design loadings
and maintain conductor
:learances

Ref.
Nood Cross Arm:

AILURE MODE (Cause of failure)

Funaal rot of wood due to

moicture, this is accelerated by
deterioration of top surface of
arm.

Date
i&Nov-09

Compiled by
Rowan Smnh

1 Reviewed bv
Chris ~ u l h e r o n

Date

of

FAILURE EFFECT (What happens when it fails)

I Predominantlv rottina from the tow face eventuallv resultina in

a reduction oistrengih below thai required to support
maximum design loading leading to inability to support
conductors and equipment. This failure becomes apparent
through degraded appearance of arms and hardware
becomes misaligned and loose, should arm fail or equipment
come clear from pole this results in power interruption, and
possible fire &public hazard issue.

Insect infestation - Termites,

ambrosia beetles.

Reduction in crossarm wood cross sectional area results in

reduction or strength below that required to support the
maximum design loading, leading to inability to support
conductors and equipment. As per 1 A l -with alteration
where appearance of crossarm is may not provide evidence
of reduction in strength.

Unseasoned timber used for

crossarm -wood dries causing
splitting, cracking, and twisting.
Angle arms are a higher hazard

Crossarm twists and mav swlit. Insulator lean wlacina strain

on ties and conductors. spiits in wood will result in ikreased
liklyhood of fungal rot & effects as per 1 A l

Over loading cross arm

Cross arm can not withstand the mechanical loading applied

and fails. Effects similar to 1 A l Alteration where the
appearance of the arm is affected through distortion.

Liahtnina
"
" strike

Incorrect construction

Cross arm Fire

I Mechanical strenath of cross arm is diminshed due to

Idamage resulting"from lightning strike and fails resulting- in

II
I
I1

s a ~ n e d l e c ~ass i A1 Aleral on s wnere me res- !an!

aanaqe ana oss ol lnecnan ca slrenqm lo me cross arln w
be visible.
Incorrect applications of washers etc can result in the cross
arm becomina loose on the wole and rotate, causina
conductors toclash. HV situations are potential risk-of fire,
wubl~csafetv etc. LV situations are considered to be low risk
item.
Due to the electrical failure of the insulators, fire is ignited
either on the pole top or crossarm, resulting in the arm either
burning through or losing substantial mechanical strength &
ultimately failing. Causes loss of supply to customers and
public dangerpotential risk of fire, public safety etc. This is
only in situations of HV cross arms.

RCM I1
INFORMATION
WORKSHEET
1994 Aladon Ud

SYSTEM

FUNCTIONAL FAILURE

Ref.

1 Nood Cross Arm:

LILUREMODE (Cause of failure) I

.oose Hardware

Date
i&Nov-09

Compiled by
Rowan Smnh

SUB-SYSTEM

FUNCTION

No.

Wood Cross Arms

1 Reviewed bv
Chris ~ u l h e r o n

Date

of
3

lLIU

FAILURE EFFECT (What happens when it fails)

ICan result in the cross arm becomina loose on the wole and
rotate, causing conductors to clash. Eauses loss of'supply to
customers and public dangerpotential risk of fire, public
safety etc. Risks identified are mainly associated with HV
wood cross arm situations, as LV wood cross arm situations
with loose hardware are considered to be low risk, unless the
nut has been completely removed - particularly on kingbolts.

To provide positive
dentification when required.
:g: phasing or circuit
dentification.

l o e s not provide indentification

hen required.

:orroded Hardware

Can result in the cross arm becoming either loose on the pole
and rotate, or come away from pole, causing conductors to
clash. Causes loss of supply to customers and public
dangerpotential risk of fire, public safety etc. Most risk is with
HV wood cross arms.

.abels not fitted or fallen off.

Cannot correctly identify either phasing or circuit information

when required, particularly during faults or preparing assets
for access or close proximity works.
Safety concerns are where nincorrect identification of asset
resulting in equipment not being correctly de-energised or
isolated.
Operational impacts are where this issue results in nmore
time required to correctly identify assets, and there for
extended outage times, and loss of productivity for
construction personnel.

.abels illegible.

Cannot adequately identify either phasing or circuit

information when required, particularly during faults or
preparing assets for access or close proximity works.
Safety concerns are where nincorrect identification of asset
resulting in equipment not being correctly de-energised or
isolated.
Operational impacts are where this issue results in nmore
time required to correctly identify assets, and there for
extended outage times, and loss of productivity for

RCM I1
INFORMATION
WORKSHEET
1994 Aladon Ud

SYSTEM

No.

Wood Cross Arms

SUB-SYSTEM

FUNCTION

FUNCTIONAL FAILURE

Ref.

1 Nood Cross Arm:

FAILURE MODE (Cause of failure) I

3 1 Incorrect Label.

Date
i&Nov-09

Compiled by
Rowan Smnh

1 Reviewed bv
Chris ~ u l h e r o n

Date

of
3

IA

lLIU

FAILURE EFFECT (What happens when it fails)

ICannot correctlv identifv either whasina or circuit information

when required, particul.hy during faulk or preparing assets
for access or close proximity works.
Safety concerns are where nincorrect identification of asset
resulting in equipment not being correctly de-energised or
isolated.
Operational impacts are where this issue results in nmore
time required to correctly identify assets, and there for
extended outage times, and loss of productivity for
construction personnel.

To be capable of being
jisposed of in a manner that
.educes the impact on the
mvironment at the end of the
arm's useful life

Uot capable of being disposed

~f in a manner that reduces the
mpact on the environment at
he end of the arm's useful life

I Cross arm left on site

Customer complaints with the arm requiring to be removed.

Visual impact on site, and additional site visit from
construction personnel, and associated costs.