Figs. 959 and 960.—Approved method of attaching wire to an insulator; elevation and plan of insulator and tie. The line wire is first laid in the groove of the insulator, after which a short piece of the same size of wire is passed entirely around to hold it in place, then it is twisted to the line at either side with pliers.
Another contrivance for this purpose is the pole ratchet, by which the wire is drawn tight and held until attached to the pole.
Ques. How are the wires attached to the insulators?
Ans. An approved method is shown in figs. 959 and 960. Standard rules specify that all wires shall be tied to the side of the insulators toward the pole, except on the insulators next to the pole, where they are to be attached on the opposite side. On curves, however, it is required that all wires shall be arranged so that the strain shall be against the insulator and not on the wire.
Fig. 961.—American wire joint. This is a simple method of connecting the ends of the sections of wire by tightly twisting the ends around each other for a few turns; it is the standard Western Union wire joint.
