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Consent to work close to the Orion network

If you are planning to work close to the Orion network, our aim is to give you safe guidelines to help keep you and anyone working with you safe.

Consents are required if you are working within 4m of overhead power lines or electric line supports, for transportation of high loads over 4.8m and if digging within 2m of 33kV and 66kV underground cables.

It's free to apply for consents, but depending on the consent type, if disconnection, isolation or escorts are required costs may be applicable. Please contact one of the Orion service providers for a quote or check for details of Orion associated service fees

You can apply for consents through Orion online services(external link), if you don't already have an account you will need to sign up.

• Close approach - required when working within 4m of overhead power lines or supports.
• High load - requirement for transportation of loads over 4.8m.
• Excavation (standover) - required if digging within 2m of 33kV and 66kV underground cables.

Click through to online services to apply now(external link), or if you would like further advice about close approach, high load or excavation (standover) consents please call our Customer support team, they're available 24/7 on 0800 363 9898.

Close approach

If you are planning work near power lines be aware that touching or getting too close to overhead lines can lead to serious injury or be fatal.

It’s important to know the safe distances for your work.

The power must be isolated or disconnected if working within minimum safe distances that will be indicated on your close approach consent approval.

Minimum safe distances are detailed in ECP 34 - New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances(external link)

Isolation: Fuse opened and removed (isolated) to de-energise electrical supply to the building/installation.

Disconnection: Fuse and powers lines removed from the building and coiled back to the pole (Network Connection point).

Should disconnection be required or you need a quote for power line work before you apply, you will need to contact an Orion service provider to ensure the safety and integrity of the network is maintained. Please allow a minimum of 1 week for this.

High load

If you are planning to transport a load through the Orion network it is important to note that touching or getting too close to the power lines can lead to serious injury or be fatal.

If you plan to work close to our network – it’s important to know the safe distances for your work.

High load consents are important and route checks may be required to ensure overhead power line clearance from the roads surface. Clearances may have changed overtime due to: road resurfacing, vehicles coming in contact with the poles or soil disturbances.

Approvals are given for the following heights, within these timeframes:

• Trigger Height 1 (4.8m – 5.0m) allow 2 working days.
• Trigger Height 2 (5.01m – 5.3m) allow 3 working days.
• Trigger Height 3 (5.31 – 5.9m) allow 5 working days.
• Trigger Height 4 (6.01m – 6.19m) allow 10 working days.
• Trigger Height 5 (above 6.2m) (check Orion service providers availability).

Excavation (standover)

If you are planning to excavate within 2m of the 33kV or 66kV underground network, it is important to apply for a excavation (standover) to ensure your activity will not compromise the network.

Applications must be submitted at least 72 business hours prior to the proposed work date/time.