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Setting a Steel Pole in a Live Circuit

by Wayne VanSoelen

Setting a pole in a live circuit is an everyday practice in most electrical utilities and the communications industry. Many utilities have taken the position that all poles are conductive and, therefore, the same procedure for setting a pole in a live circuit should apply, whether the pole is wood, steel or concrete. However, the historical procedure for setting poles in live circuits should be reviewed, considering the changes that have been introduced into the workplace. The trend to higher distribution voltages changes the impact of an accidental electrical contact. A higher voltage contact with a treated wood pole is not as forgiving as it was at four, eight or 12 kV. Also, the increased popularity of steel poles prompts the need to reduce any risks in existing procedures.

New Pole Setting Procedure

Feb 1, 2005 12:00 PM
By Wayne VanSoelen, Utility Innovations

In recent years, there have been many changes in the pole crew work environment. As our systems age, pole replacement has increased on energized lines, the voltage carried on distribution poles has increased substantially, and the new popularity of steel poles gives us another reason to revisit the work methods and safety procedures for pole crews.

Granted, the necessary steps to prevent an accidental pole contact during an energized pole setting job are well established. Pole crews know, for example, that installing insulated cover-up on the conductors and/or insulated cover-up on the pole and designating an observer/signal person reduces the probability of accidental contact. Operators using modern digger derrick equipment have become skilled at controlling the pole, and they normally have no problem setting a pole between covered up live wires. But even though these steps are in place and are adequate, the steps to protect everyone when Murphy's Law takes over are often less than adequate. If it can happen it will.

Power Line Grounding Lessons from an Accident

by Wayne VanSoelen

The Accident

A lineman received a severe electrical shock when he reached out to grab the winch cable of a crane truck while his other hand was holding on to an isolated and grounded conductor. The analysis of this accident illustrates some of the complexities involved in line grounding.

The job was to change timbers on a 115 kV twin pole line during a clearance. The 115 kV line ran parallel to a live 230 kV line for about 35 miles. A crane truck was being used to lower the conductors to the ground. When the lineman grabbed the winch in one hand and the conductor in the other hand he shouted and seemed to be frozen on to the winch cable and conductor. The supervisor on the job sensed what happened and had the crane operator take up the winch to release the victim’s grip. The victim was very shaken but said he was all right and planned to climb down. The crew insisted on putting a rope around him, as practiced in pole top rescue, as a back up, while the victim climbed down. He was taken to a medical center, examined and released.