24 Outcome 4: Live Line Tools
Section Information
Outcome/Competency: You will be able to describe the use and care of live line tools
Timing: 1h45
Rationale:
Why is it important for you to learn this skill?
Live lines can be particularly dangerous because they are conductors that conduct electricity. As such Powerline technicians need to exercise special care to protect themselves and others from injury and even death. Learning the proper care and maintenance as well as how to inspect and clean basic live line tools will decrease the chance of injury based on malfunction or misuse.
Objectives:
To be competent in this area, the individual must be able to:
- Identify and describe basic live line tools
- Describe the care and maintenance of basic live line tools
- Demonstrate the procedure inspect and clean basic live line tools
Learning Goals
- Describe care, maintenance, cleaning, and inspection of live line tools
Introduction:
In this section you will learn about basic hot sticks, their maintenance, and how to use grip-all and telescopic hotsticks. You will be presented with concepts and then given opportunities to test your understanding with short review exercises.
Instructions:
- Cover the following content in each topic as a group (either reading out loud or independently) then give an opportunity to answer any questions.
- Have students do the review questions independently, then take up answers.
Topic: Basic Hot Sticks (45m)
Figure 7 Using a hot stick. Attr. SaskPower
Introduction
Hotsticks allow a lineman safe access to work on energized lines without causing an interruption in customer service. Hotsticks are versatile tools used to perform a variety of tasks.
Figure 8 Hot Stick
Figure 9 Hot Stick
Figure 10 Hot sticks
Care and Maintenance of Hotsticks
It is the responsibility of the lineman, for their own safety, to make sure the hotstick is kept clean and in good working condition. The use of hotsticks and the regular maintenance needed to keep them in perfect operating condition is extremely important.
A well built and maintained hotstick possesses three very important characteristics:
- High di-electric strength
- High physical strength
- Lightweight
One of the most important things to remember when using and handling hotsticks and hotstick accessories, is to keep them free of moisture and dust. Never lay live line tools on the ground unless they are placed upon a clean, dry tarpaulin. If possible, live line tools and accessories should remain in the truck or tool trailer unit until needed.
Live line hotsticks incorporate a handle composed of an inner foam core and a fiberglass outer shell. The result is a strong, lightweight, and highly di-electric tool handle (telescoping tool handles do not utilize a foam core as they are hollow.) Since the handle is a solid structure throughout, our concern is contamination of the exterior surface.
When transporting hot line tools, secure the tools on solid, well padded tool racks in a truck or tra