steel-core around powerelines

[clearance]

This is in response to the comments regarding steelcore fliplines, lanyards, scare straps, whatever you call them. I am a certified utility arborist (c.u.a.) working in southwest British Columbia. I became certified after six weeks of school at the Electrical Training Institute of B.C. and 1200 hours of supervised experience working in close proximity to lines from 12 to 500kv. This apprenticeship program is partailly sponsored by B.C. Hydro. and taught by other c.u.a. s and linemen. After being certified, Hydro gives you a power system safety protection (p.s.s.p) authorization to level 4. An apprentice c.u.a. is level 3, a lineman is level 5. This pssp authorizes you to work in close proximity to energized equipment, take out linework permits on so on. Utility arborists (utility hacks, not really arborists) as well as lineman are governed by Hydro and the workers compensation board. How close you or your tools can be to the line is regulated by a "limits of approach" table. For example, on a 12kv distribution line, the limit for your body or any non-insulated tool (chainsaw, flipline, rope etc.) is 3ft. This an absolute limit that also includes any inadvertant movement you could make. The limit for a dielectrically tested tool (pole pruner, hydraulic trimsaw) is 1ft. Whats important to remember is that unless it has a current sticker stating that it has been dielectrically tested, then it is conductive. Simply put, if the tree is closer than 3ft to the line you dont climb it until Hydro comes out, denergizes the line, puts on grounds and you get the o.k. (which you have to sign for). All the c.u.a s here climb with steelcores, all day, year after year.
I know steel is a great conductor but so is the tree and anything else that is not tested. Maybe not a great conductor but conductive all the same. Know the voltage of the line, observe your corresponding limit of approach and be carefull. Make contact on a distibution line, get to close to a transmission line and its over.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Excellent post, bro!

When yur bit, YUR BIT!

 

[hobby climber]

Good info clearance, could you please expand on this "limits of approach" table. There are a lot of non arborist on this site like myself who would benefit from your knowledge regarding hydro lines and safe distances for man & his equipment. I don't mind working around cable or phone lines but I draw the line at bare wires! HC

 

[clearance]

MB thanks. hobby climber-The limits of approach table is applicable to everyone. There are 3 columns. Column A is the limit for tested tools. B is the limit for a c.u.a and his nontested tools. C is the limit for apprentice c.u.a. s and everyone else. If you have not been trained to the satisfaction of your local power company, please follow the C limits. I am not gods gift to climbing, just a spur wearing, one handing, tree topping utility hack, but I am trained. A guy I used to work with who is i.s.a. spurless and all that fancy stuff plus a better climber than me said "you utility guys think its a big deal (working around the lines) but its not." Well yeah it is a big deal. The people who get electrocuted by high voltage here are not c.u.a. s. Concrete pump operators, crane operators and riggers often have no training at all, sometimes leading to tragedy. 13 years ago my friend was climbing, he wasnt a c.u.a, he was a logger. He made contact with a distribution line 12 or 25kv that literally blew him right out of the tree at 40ft. In a coma for 6weeks, fractured skull, pins in his shoulder and terrible burns to his calves. He was lucky. Column C limits are as follows, all lines from 750v to 75kv (most anything in a residential setting) limit is 10ft. Over 75kv to 250kv (transmission) limit is 15ft. Over 250 kv. it is 20 ft. The limit for c.u.a. s is also 20ft on over 325kv power. Call your local power company if your work is going to be closer than that, they will advise you and maybe help you out.

 

[Old Monkey]

Just curious. My wire core flip line says not to use it around energized right on it. Is that for legal reasons? Aslo, I took an aerial rescue course and they showed us a video of people with electrical burns. It was gruesome. You line clearance guys can have it. I keep as far away as I can.

Be safe !!

 

[jimmyq]

*

 

[oldwild]

in the states with the new NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, they have made alot of changes where there is the possiblity of Arc-Flash, which comes from improper connections, installation and removal of equipment, etc..... Table 130.2(C), has the breakdown on the Approach Boundary from Less than 50V on up to 800kV. With the maximum distance of 24' for 800kV, and 4' is the minimum up to 750V.

 

[topnotchtree]

Clearance, you are saying if a tree is within 3 feet you get the wire shut down. Are you saying if the tips if branches are within 3 feet you dont climb? Or do you mean if the climber needs to be closer than 3 feet to trim the tree you dont climb?

 

[clearance]

guys here are the questions in order and comments. First Old Monkey, they mean it. Dont violate your limits with it. Paul, no I wasnt there (I try to avoid Surrey anyways-whats the first thing a surrey girl does when she gets up? goes home. Sorry man, I could go on for hours......) B.C. Hydro for all their faults, really do a lot to educate workers and the public. Good for you that you went. Old Wild, the standards you quote must be for trained workers? Topnotch, yes to all those questions but they all are buts. If the tree trunk could be 3ft to the line it will be topped or removed before that happens. Sometimes if the branch tips are closer than 3ft but not touching we reach up with a tested pole pruner and nip them off. If for some reason you cannot personally be 3ft away then its a bad idea.

 

[topnotchtree]

OK clearance. Just wonderin cause if we had to shut down lines for everything within 3 feet nobody would have power from 7:30 till 4:00! Many years ago guys would set pull ropes right on the lines to pull them apart giving the climber room to climb up between the phases to do his job!

 

[oldwild]

for un-trained workers, they must maintain the minumim safe approach for un-trained personnel. Most of the work is to be done by a person trained in the dangers of electrical hazards associated in reducing the minimum distance, and the necessary requirements/equipment to negate the hazards and injury.
Most of the time for us electricans this will mean appropriately rated elctrical gloves and sleeves, since we are reducing the minimums.