Power lines

[NeTree]

Probably (well, definitely...) off-topic, but in regards to line clearance, anyone know why Echo stopped exporting the PPFD-2400 (the yellow dialectric) power-pruner to the US?

I have one here I use when I need to clear the lines, but the parts are getting scarce too.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Yeah, aluminum

Ok, got the context...but...the same issues. Clean, dry rope is highly di-electric but it can still conduct electricity.

Tom

 

[njarbor]

a few weeks ago a guy was working the tree next to me . he dropped a branch on a primary and it made contact with my tree, leaving me to get tingled for about 10 minutes until they got the branch off. you can just use your handsaw. best bet is to keep a wooden or fiberglass polesaw or clipwithin reach if you are near any primarys

 

[UNBforester]

Eagle1:

Sounds like you got pretty lucky on that one by making indirect contact with a neutral wire. Got any pictures of the tree and wires you were working close to?

I just you to ponder something here. One, you do not know what line you touched therefore you are not trained to work anywhere close to the lines. Secondly, if you did get a serious enough current flowing through you and became immoblized or worse, could your groundie bring you down or is there someone close that can? And finally, once you hit the ground is there someone there that can provide CPR or the necessary first aid. Because otherwise you're dead.

Better consider all these things and more because you only live once. Get some EHAP training, just might save you hide one day


Later
Dave

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

The guy didn't want me to take pictures for here, but 6 mos. or so back, i saw a climber being driven around, that had the meat burnt off to the bone under a forefinger on palm, also next to his eye/ temple right along that protruding bone leading down to cheek. Said he'd been out of it for 3 daze, was just going back to doc. A week later it looked real nasty...........

i'll specialize in what i can, and stay clear of that 'lectric; let someone else make that their thing, Thank-you!

Made a beleiver outta that fella too; he had less place there around electric than i!

:alien:

 

[MasterBlaster]

I actually kinda enjoy working around energized wires, in a twisted sorta way. It all kinda boils down to the 'rush' we all feel just doing our crazy-ass job.

Hot wires put me into a state of readiness that no other aspect of treework can do. I get off on that feeling - that 'rush'. I enjoy defeating the Demon Beast that is trying to KILL YOU!

But, thats just me...

 

[NeTree]

ANY line of work can be dangerous; it's all about what YOU do to protect yourself- education, training, and applying it all.


Mass Electric has an EHAP program:

Contact:
Guy H. Shepard, Senior Arborist
Massachusetts Electric Company
1101 Turnpike St
North Andover, MA 01845
Phone: (978) 725-1000

 

[Dobber]

trimming near power lines

There are procedures in place to trimming near energized conductors, If you are not familiar with them then you should not be in the tee. Luck will only take you so far. everyone made some good points (well mostly everyone) but nobody said that this person was untrained and should stay away from the tree alltogether.

 

[Eagle1]

Are you implying that I should stay away from trees?

 

[NeTree]

Nah, just the ones next to power lines.

Actually, ANSI states that only qualified line-clearance arborists (or their trainees) may work within 10 feet of an energized conductor.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

i heard him say that i should stay away from trees with high energized conductors if that is something i'm not specifically trained in cuz'even in this field; that is a specialty.

i've heard those words in different forms before and recognize them well. i believe in them and follow them. i take on enough risk, and shave those few times with the most risk in that particular depatment (and a few others); like a strategic plan to drop risk for whole year in a very few (non)steps.

And we got guys, that come in and do it for the customer for free, or take down private line; same price. So i lose no face or anything, customer $aves some in the goodwill and good sense package; that i confidentally, fairly present with full disclosure. If they think that is wussing out, they can get up thar! We all done stared the devil in the face enough times walking a thin line of safety, ta have anything to prove or rush at. IMLHO.


"There are olde climbers,
and there are bold climbers;
But thar t'aint no old/bold climbers!"

Cuz that herd gets thinned!


Oooooor something like that!
:alien:

 

[Dobber]

Originally posted by Eagle1
Are you implying that I should stay away from trees?

No I am saying stay away from yhe trees that are near powerlines untill you have a better understanding of the risks involved and get some training. power lines can be very unforgiving, just for an Idea look up Electrical accidents It might give you a clearer picture of what could happen.

 

[Climber2]

I would like to know more about how conductive a rope can be. We do a lot of bad overhand in back lots where the rigging line comes in contact with the hot wire. Usually when rigging from across the right-of-way. Never been shocked that way but only do trees that bad on dry days. Our company policy is that the only piece of equipment we have to remove a burning hanger is our hydraulic pole saw. Our fibergl??? poles are batch tested and not to be used.

Mike

 

[Eagle1]

Rocky,
What is less conductive. Wood or Fibragl????

 

[NeTree]

Strictly speaking, fibergla$$.

Wood tends to wick moisture, and it's the moisture that can conduct electricity.

Ropes should NEVER be relied upon to insulate you from electricty. NEVER NEVER NEVER!

Dealing with power lines requires special tools, and specialized techniques and training to do it safelt. It is a task best left to those qualified to do it. PERIOD.

It only takes one hundredth of an ampere at less that one volt to stop your heart. Keeping that in mind, remember that materials such as wood and rope aren't necessarily INSULATORS, but more usually RESISTORS... cutting the flow of electricity down, but not eliminating it.

I can't stress enough how important the right tools and training are required to work around power lines.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Well said, Erik of the North.

Luv yur avatar!

 

[NeTree]

Thanks Butch!

You wouldn't believe what I had to do to make it!

 

[ORclimber]

Asplundh supplies wooden poles to their crews here, because they are cheaper than fiberglass. The wooden poles pull many branches off the primaries, but they don't inspire much confidence working in the rain. Wet dirty ropes are definately more conductive. I've been shocked through wet climb lines that made contact with the primary and seen others do the same thing. Also, the cords on pole pruners become conductive when wet. A lot of guys will lube the pruners with bar oil and accidentally spill on the cord making it attract dirt and become more conductive. Even with an insulator on the pull cord sometimes a branch tip will sneak to the uninsulated part of the cord.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

i've read this from Tom a few times over the years:

Originally posted by Tom Dunlap


->A clean, dry rope is not conductive.<-



You'll never get a rope manufacturer to vouch for that.

Over the years of helping at EHAP training I've asked every journeyman lineman if he would ever use a rope or throwline to move a wire. They have all looked at me with "What-are-you-stupid?" eyes. None of them would ever do it so I won't either.

LIke you said, too man variables.

Tom

i've asked a few myself, and imagine Tom has been hitting them all along. i think anything porous or dirty is ruled out automatically for hot sticks as a material period, and though some might get by; i don't think it should get blanket endorsement, and maybe should start the rumor that the rumor is an olde wives tail about rropes being good for this, until really proven totally true in all cases on wires under 50' with ropes in all conditions, absolutely recomendable to any newbie/ passerby- hey we got this great stuff- go grab it..... If you say clean, how clean is clean percieved to be needed to be in an emergency, by who (even if a perfect, virgin, dry rope theoretically might....)



All the more reason ta'leave lines alone, to me!

 

[NeTree]

We had the same cheap wooden poles, but we only used them for clipping around secondaries, never for removing hangers from primaries or the like.