CROSS ARM SPECIFICATION

1.

GENERAL

This specification sets out the requirements for cross arms, intended for use in
Tonga Powers overhead electricity network.
Hardwood timber crossarms are presently the only type to have been assessed
and approved for use on Tonga Powers network.
1.1 RELEVANT DOCUMENTS
AS 1604.1 Specification for preservative treatment Sawn and round timber.
AS 3818.4 Timber Heavy structural products Visually graded, Part 4: Cross
Arms for Overhead Lines.
New Zealand Building Code Clause B2 Durability.
1.2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
All hardwood timber crossarms shall comply with the requirements of AS 3818.4
and are as follows: Visually graded to the requirements of Grade 1
Timber Strength Group S1 or S2
Minimum Timber Stress Group F22
Timber Durability Class 1 or 2
Unseasoned timber is permitted
1.3 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
End splits identified during the timber grading process, shall be protected by one
of the following methods:
a.
b.

galvanized steel nail plates

suitable water repellant

Rough sawn finish is permitted.

TPL Crossarm

Sapwood is only permitted where treatment has been provided.

Core-wood or pith in the hardwood timber is not permitted.
Timber trimmed after treatment, shall have the cut faces treated with an
appropriate preservative and galvanized nail plates applied.
Chamfer the four corners along the entire length with a 6mm x 6mm planed
finish.
1.4 MINIMUM SPECIFIED SERVICE LIFE
The cross arms shall have a minimum service life of 50 years in accordance with
the New Zealand Building Code Clause B2 Durability.
1.5 TREATMENT
Timber treatment requirements are as follows:
a) durability Class 1 timber may be untreated
b) durability Class 2 timber is permitted provided that the timber is treated to
achieve the minimum specified service life.
Timber treatment (where required above) shall be to Hazard Classification H3
and carried out in accordance with AS 1604.1.
At the time of delivery to the Contractor, the surface of the treated cross arms
shall be free of preservative residues, exudates, efflorescence and dusk likely to
result in
a) Ingestion or inhalation of chemical
b) Contamination of skin, clothing or equipment
c) Reduced safety during handling and transport.
1.6 VISUAL GRADING
Each cross arm shall be visually inspected and graded in accordance with
Section 10 of AS 3818.4.
The timber supplier shall have the timber inspected for grade and treatment by a
suitably experienced and qualified person to confirm that the timber meets the
requirements outlined above. The inspection must be undertaken in a manner
such that the results are representative of the entire timber batch supplied to the
Contractor.

TPL Crossarm

1.7 PREFERRED TIMBER SPECIES

The following timber species are preferred:

Ironbark, red
Ironbark, grey
Gum, spotted
Blackbutt

Box, white
Mahogany, red
Mahogany, white

or in accordance with table C1 in Appendix C of AS 3818.4

2. TONGA POWER STANDARD ARM SIZES AND LENGTHS
For details on Tonga Powers standard cross arms, refer to drawings TPL 001
and TPL 002.
Arm Length (mm)
Cross Section

1000

1200

1500

75mm x 75mm
75mm x 100mm

1800

2100

3000

100mm x 75mm
100mm x 100mm

Tonga Power standard cross arm

3. DOCUMENTATION
3.1 INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED TO CONTRACTOR
The following information shall be forwarded from the cross arm supplier to the
Contractor and be available for review, inspection or to copy by Tonga Power
prior to letting any contract.
The crossarm supplier shall provide a suitable Compliance Certificate that
states a claim for compliance: a)
b)
c)

That only the specified strength group and grade are included.
That all cross arms meet the dimensional requirements as specified in
AS 3818.4.
That the durability requirements have been met.

The following information shall also be included on the certificate:

The assessment method (e.g. visually graded ) and standard
Stress grade
Durability class
Strength group
3

TPL Crossarm

Species
Timber density
Type of preservative treatment and process.
Date of product completion / inspection

3.2 NON COMPLIANCE

Materials supplied to the Contractor without a suppliers compliance certificate
shall be tested at the Suppliers expense as directed by Tonga Power.

TPL Crossarm