Chapter 1 Flashcards
Clearing Lines and Equipment
What are the 3 Categories electrical linework fall into?
- ) Construction
- ) Maintenance
- ) Repair
What services may Utilities and Contractors provide?
Services for all three areas or may specialize in just a few tasks
What is a common saying throughout the industry?
“Linework is Linework”
What does Construction refer to?
Building new facilities.
What is Maintenance work?
Work performed on existing lines or equipment
How does repair differ from maintenance?
It typically involves an emergency situation.
What are some examples of Construction?
- Building new transmission lines
- Extending distribution lines
- Installing underground lines and equipment to feed a new housing development, or similar activities.
What are some examples of Maintenance?
- Replacing Conductors
- Changing out aging poles and structural members
- Replacing apparatus such regulators, capacitors, reclosers and more
What are some examples of Repairs?
- Restoring power during an unexpected outage
- Repairing storm damage
- Fixing poles hit by vehicles
- Repairing broken conductors or structures that require immediate attention
What does OSHA have for the Construction industry?
Rules and Regulations
What category does Maintenance and Repair fall under according to OSHA?
“General Industry” Regulations
What kind of work do Large Contractors typically perform?
Construction-orientated work for utilities
What kind of work do utilities focus on?
Maintenance and Repair
When would contractors may perform maintenance and repair?
When utilities can’t handle the work demand.
What did an industry expert recently estimate his transmission construction department perform at?
70% De-Energized Work
What did an industry expert recently estimate his distribution maintenance department perform at?
80% Energized Work
What are the two methods for working on a power delivery system?
- Energized
- De-Energized
What is Energized work?
Work performed when the line is “hot”
What does “hot” mean?
When the line is at its normal operating, or nominal, voltage.
What does Energized work require?
Specialized live-line tools and equipment that allow lineworkers to perform
What are three common work processes for Energized work?
- Hot Sticking
- Rubber Gloving
- Barehanding
How do these processes allow linework to be performed?
Without interrupting service to a utility’s customers.
What are some examples of De-Energized work?
- New construction of poles
- Substations
- Storm Restoration
- Connecting a new housing development
In the industry, the saying a line is De-Energized mean?
That certain specific steps have been taken to remove voltage from that line.
Lines are not De-Energized until all of what steps have been completed?
- Disconnect
- Test
- Properly Grounded
In De-Energized work what does Disconnect mean?
The lines and equipment from all normal sources of energy: all connections have been opened, locked and tagged. At this point, the line is disconnected but not yet De-Energized.
In De-Energized work what does Test mean?
Lines and equipment for the presence of voltage. This must occur before any grounding components are connected to the lines or equipment.
In De-Energized work what does Properly Ground mean?
Properly Ground the conductors (phases). Grounding provides low-resistance path to the best available ground, in case the line or equipment becomes accidentally energized.
What is the best definition of De-Energized?
The point at which all supply conductors have been tested to verify the absence of nominal voltage, and shunted together through the grounding process so that all supply conductors share the same as the.
What factors decide whether to work energized or De-Energized?
- Employee Safety
- Utility Demands
- Customer Expectations
- Construction Standards
- Equipment Availability
- Weather Conditions
- Qualifications of Personnel
What is important to understand about De-Energized lines?
They can become energized by unexpected or abnormal sources of energy.
What do workers who follow proper grounding procedures greatly enhance?
Their protection against abnormal sources of energy.
What are the two grounding procedures?
- Equipotential Zone (EPZ) Grounding is the preferred method for protecting the linework
- Bracket Grounding is used to trip out the circuit as quickly as possible
What does Bonding refer to?
Connecting and conductive item within the work space to the same potential as the grounded phases.