Working on Lines and Equipment: Chapter 3 - Energized Work - Possible Test Questions - WEEK 9

Question 1

Most electrical accidents involve:

Answer 1

• second point of contact

Question 2

Every aspect of energized work is governed by what three principles?

Answer 2

• Insulate
• Isolate
• Protect against second point of contact

Question 3

When practicing one of the three principles, define, Insulate:

Answer 3

rubber or plastic cover-up equipment. This insulation shields workers against current flow. It’s often thought of as protecting workers from things they can touch with their hands.

Question 4

When practicing one of the three principles, define, Isolate:

Answer 4

• Isolate means employing tested and certified equipment to create physical separation between the worker and any object under the worker’s feet. For example, an insulated aerial lift or insulated platform helps to isolate the worker’s feet from objects of different potential. Isolation separates the worker from the earth, like a bird flying through the air.

Question 5

When practicing one of the three principles, define, Protect against second point of contact:

Answer 5

• Second point of contact is defined as “the point at which current leaves the body during simultaneous contact between two or more items of different potential.” If an employee is working on an exposed energized phase, everything else of different potential within reach is a second point of contact. This includes guy-wires, ground wires, crossarms, poles, other phases, the neutral, and other objects. Workers protect themselves against second point of contact by using approved, protective cover-up equipment. Most electrical accidents involve second point of contact.

Question 6

OSHA defines a qualified person as:

Answer 6

• “One who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.”

Question 7

OSHA defines a competent person as:

Answer 7

• “One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.”

Question 8

The electrical component of the minimum approach distance:

Answer 8

• not less that 2 ft for primary distribution voltages.

Question 9

Methods for maintaining the MAD vary based on the type of work:

Answer 9

• Rubber glove work
• Hot sticking (using live-line tools)
• Barehand work

Question 10

Rubber glove work:

Answer 10

• Workers use rated and tested gloves and sleeves to apply cover-up equipment until any second point of contact is well out of reach of the work location.

Question 11

Hot sticking (using live-line tools):

Answer 11

• Workers use insulated live-line tools that are long enough to maintain the MAD between the worker’s hands and the exposed energized object.

Question 12

Barehand work:

Answer 12

• Because they are energized at the same potential as the phase, workers must maintain the MAD from any other object of different potential, such as the structure or other phases.

Question 13

Although minimum approach distances must be identified during the job briefing, a common industry best practice for rubber glove work is to stay ______ away from exposed energized parts unless the employee is wearing rubber gloves and sleeves.

Answer 13

• 5 feet

Question 14

The most important element of any live-line tool is:

Answer 14

• Insulation. This protects the lineworker when the line is energized.

Question 15

Virtually all hot sticks in use today are made of:

Answer 15

• Fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) with a foam core. The fiberglass provides stiffness and strength, while special plastics provide excellent electrical resistance. The foam cells contain an inert gas that resists moisture absorption. The core is bonded to the inner wall of the fiberglass for mechanical and electrical strength. Sticks are colored a bright orange, yellow, or red for visibility. They are tested routinely to confirm their electrical insulating strength.

Question 16

Universal Stick:

Answer 16

• The industry trend is toward universal sticks, which are made of modern materials, fit a variety of tools, and can be connected end-to-end. The ends shown in figure 3.4 are commonly found on universal sticks. Most line trucks are equipped with universal sticks and their different attachments.

Question 17

Tie Stick:

Answer 17

• Used to manipulate tie wires, and also to install and remove Preformed™ ties and armor rods.

Question 18

Shotgun Stick:

Answer 18

• The shotgun (or grip-all) stick has an easy-to-control gripping finger on the hot end of the stick. It’s used for a variety of tasks, including installing grounding clamps.

Question 19

Link Stick:

Answer 19

• These sticks are typically short, and provide insulation when using ropes, blocks, and strap hoists.

Question 20

Auxiliary Support Arm:

Answer 20

• Used to reposition and secure conductors out of the immediate work area. They can be mounted to the crossarms, poles, and the truck boom. They work well for conductor, crossarm, pole, and insulator replacements, switch installations, and other projects.

Question 21

Cutter:

Answer 21

• Used to cut conductors of all sizes. Some make a round cut to allow installation of a splicing sleeve or dead-end. Those made for larger conductors are typically hydraulic or ratchet assisted.

Question 22

Telescoping Stick:

Answer 22

• Used to replace fuses, operate disconnects, take conductor height measurements, and operate reclosers.

Question 23

Conductor Pulling Grips:

Answer 23

• Wire grips for live-line use are not spring-loaded. They usually have a ring or bracket so they can be installed or removed using live-line tools. Once secured to the conductor, the gripping jaws can be opened freely by releasing the pulling mechanism.

Question 24

Fiber Hoist/Strap Hoist:

Answer 24

• A fiber hoist, also known as a strap hoist, is used for energized work (rubber gloving and hot sticking). It’s used to support sagging conductors, adjust tension, replace strain insulators, and other tasks.

Question 25

Remove live-line tools from service every:

Answer 25

• two years for testing and repair.

Question 26

Two conditions make live-line tools electrically unsafe:

Answer 26

• Internal conductivity-caused by moisture getting inside, dielectric deterioration, or internal damage.
• Surface conductivity-caused by loss of surface gloss, wetting, or contamination.

Question 27

Temporary Jumpers

Answer 27

Temporary jumpers are conductive devices that lineworkers install on a circuit for a short time.

Question 28

Types of Temporary Jumpers:

Answer 28

• Standard temporary jumpers are usually insulated for primary voltages of 15kV, 25kV, and 35kV. These jumpers are available with a conductor size ranging from #2 copper to 4/0 copper. The temporary jumpers’ jaw will fit on conductors from #6 copper to 795 ACSR. Take an amperage reading on the line before installation to ensure that the temporary jumper can handle the current flow on the phase.
• Load pickup jumpers have a mechanism that safely “picks up” the load (makes the connection) between lines. They will carry a load up to the amp rating designated by the manufacturer.

Question 29

Use rubber gloves anytime there is:

Answer 29

• an electric potential.

Question 30

Use rubber gloves on energized circuits of:

Answer 30

• 50 volts and more, and anytime there is an electric potential.

Question 31

What does OSHA say you should always wear over your rubber gloves?

Answer 31

• Leather protectors

Question 32

Ground-to-ground:

Answer 32

• Requires lineworkers to wear rubber gloves from when they start up a pole or structure until they return to the ground.

Question 33

Lock-to-lock:

Answer 33

• Requires lineworkers to wear rubber gloves from when they open an underground enclosure until they close the enclosure.

Question 34

Cradle-to-cradle:

Answer 34

• Requires lineworkers to wear gloves and sleeves from the time an aerial lift leaves the cradle until it returns.

Question 35

Two types of rubber are used for protective gloves and equipment:

Answer 35

• Type I is not ozone (sunlight) resistant.

- Type II is ozone resistant.

Question 36

Rubber gloves should be visually examined and air tested before:

Answer 36

• Each use.

Question 37

Remove from service any glove that may have been damaged, and have it:

Answer 37

• Tested or replaced.

Question 38

Air Testing:

Answer 38

• Using a portable glove inflator or other method, fill the interior of the glove with air. Don’t over-inflate the glove. Place the air-filled glove next to your face, and then listen and feel for any air leaks. If you feel or hear air escaping-even if you cannot see any damage-do not use the glove, and destroy it immediately.

Question 39

Electrical Testing - Rubber Gloves & Sleeves:

Answer 39

• OSHA requires that rubber gloves be tested before the first issue and every six months thereafter. Rubber sleeves must be tested before the first issue and every 12 months thereafter. Mark all equipment with the test date in a clearly visible manner that does not affect the electrical and physical qualities of the equipment. Do not use outdated gloves.

Question 40

Line Hose:

Answer 40

• This covering for overhead conductors, jumpers, and guy-wires was originally made of actual rubber hose. Today it comes in lengths of 3 to 6 feet, diameters of 1, 2, or 2.5 inches, and in multiple styles (see fig. 3.31). The hose ends can be joined together to create longer lengths.

Question 41

Insulator Covers:

Answer 41

• Often referred to as hoods, insulator covers are used with line hose to help achieve complete coverage. Select the cover that matches the type of insulator to be covered-pin, post, or dead-end.

Question 42

Blankets

Answer 42

• Rubber blankets are very adaptable. Use them with line hose and hoods to cover the lines or apparatus completely. Blankets come in two sizes: 36 x 36 inches and 18 x 18 inches. The edges have punched holes for tying. They can
  also be secured using an appropriate application tool (see fig. 3.33).
• A split blanket (see fig. 3.34) has a slit on one side so it can be placed around an object. For example, use it around an insulator pin on a crossarm (overhead) or to cover secondary terminals in padmounted transformers (underground). Higher-voltage blankets can be applied using hot sticks. Blankets can be knelt or stood on, if needed, in an energized setting. But inspect them for damage immediately after this sort of use.

Question 43

How would you not store a rubber blanket?

Answer 43

• Folded

Question 44

Inspection and Cleaning:

Answer 44

• As with rubber gloves and sleeves, rubber equipment should be inspected regularly, and before each use. Remove from service any protective equipment that may have been damaged, and have it tested or replaced.

Question 45

How often should you test rubber blankets:

Answer 45

• annually

Question 46

Pole Guard:

Answer 46

• Pole guards cover poles that are set near or on energized lines. They protect workers from accidental brush contact with the pole.

Question 47

Crossarm Guards:

Answer 47

Apply crossarm guards anytime contact with the crossarm is possible, such as when tying or untying conductors from insulators. When rubber gloving or hot sticking, use crossarm guards to eliminate a second point of contact with a potentially conductive object.