Change Crossarm Insulator with Hotsticks

Change Crossarm Insulator with Hotsticks S T U D E N T M A N U A L March 31, 2005

2 STUDENT TRAINING MANUAL Prerequisites: Introduction to Hotsticks module Use and Care of Hotsticks module Weights & Forces module Universal Tool Accessories I module Universal Tool Accessories II module Wire Tong and Accessories module Objectives: Given a hotstick trailer, a tangent three-phase pole, you will be able to change insulators on a three-phase crossarm using the hotstick method. Rationale: Customer demand to maintain uninterrupted power may require that the work be performed in an energized state. Learning Objectives Demonstrate the procedure to hold a tailboard discussion. Calculate the weight of the conductor. Identify the hotsticks and tools required to change out an insulator on a three-phase crossarm. Inspect and clean the hotsticks and tools required to change out an insulator on a three-phase crossarm. Install protective cover where required. Demonstrate the procedure to move conductors using wire tongs and rope blocks. Install the hotsticks in the configuration required to change out an insulator on a three-phase crossarm. Demonstrate the procedure to untie and tie the line conductors using the hotstick method. Learning Methods Self-learning + On-the-job Self-learning + On-the-job Self-learning + On-the-job Self-learning + On-the-job Self-learning + On-the-job Self-learning + On-the-job

CHANGE CROSSARM INSULATOR WITH HOTSTICKS 3 Self-learning + On-the-job Self-learning + On-the-job EVALUATION METHODS Written test Written test Written test Written test Written test Written test Written test Written test STUDENT RESOURCES Learning Steps None 1. Read the Learning Guide. 2. Follow the steps outlined in the Learning Guide. 3. Clarify any questions or concerns you may have. 4. Complete the Practice and Feedback. 5. Complete the Evaluation. Introduction In the procedure of changing an insulator on a typical three-phase tangent structure, the conductors are moved and anchored to a safe working position using wire tongs, lever lifts, saddles and rope blocks. This configuration allows adequate working clearance to change out the insulator safely. No matter what tool you are using, remember that your safety, and that of your co-workers, are prime considerations in all work activities. Recommended working clearances must be maintained at all times for

4 STUDENT TRAINING MANUAL the voltage being worked.

CHANGE CROSSARM INSULATOR WITH HOTSTICKS 5 Lesson 1: Tail Board Discussion Learning Objective:Demonstrate the procedure to hold a tailboard discussion. Learning Method:Self-learning + On-the-job Evaluation Method:Written test Introduction Upon arriving at the job site, A tailboard discussion must be held with all personnel prior to commencing work. The power line technician must obtain a standoff permit on the appropriate circuit, and the crew must be made aware of the circuit status. A proper tail board includes a discussion covering the following details: The procedure to be executed, a job drawing may be used to clarify any questions Potential hazards and the possible safeguards to take Work assignments defined and designated Specialty tools or equipment to be utilized Ensure all personnel involved clearly understand their roles and responsibilities, and conduct additional briefings as required to ensure that all personnel involved understand each step of the work when changes have been made.

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CHANGE CROSSARM INSULATOR WITH HOTSTICKS 7 Lesson 2: Weight of the Conductor Learning Objective:Calculate the weight of the conductor. Learning Method:Self-learning + On-the-job Evaluation Method:Written test Introduction The weight of the conductor for hotstick work is calculated by using a predetermined safety factor and a formula. Spans 75 metres or longer use a safety factor of 1.5 and spans shorter than 75 metres use a safety factor of 2 in the calculation.

8 STUDENT TRAINING MANUAL Lesson 3: Select the Hotsticks and Tools Learning Objective:Identify the hotsticks and tools required to change out an insulator on a three-phase crossarm. Learning Method:Self-learning + On-the-job Evaluation Method:Written test Introduction Once the weight of the conductor is known, the appropriate hotsticks and accessories can then be selected to safely remove the conductor from the insulator on the crossarm. You must determine the condition of the structure including the pole, crossarm, insulators and hardware. In some cases, wire tongs may be required to secure the conductors in position before starting to untie them. You must then determine the working side of the structure; this is the side of the structure that the wire holding sticks will be on, usually opposite the crossarm. The selection of the lifting tong is determined by its ability to raise the weight of the conductor from the crossarm and support that weight in a cantilever position. We are using a 2-1/2 inch wire tong as a lifting tong and a 1-1/2 inch wire tong as a holding tong for this procedure. The conductor weight will also help you determine the wire tong accessories required to move and hold the lifting tongs in position. Our procedure requires one lever lift along with one pole saddle for the outside phase.! CAUTION Never use a 1-1/2 inch wire tong as a lifting tong. Always use a wire tong of 2 inches or greater in diameter. The selection of the rope blocks will also be determined by the weight of the conductor and the force required on the fall line to allow one person to move the conductor easily. In some instances, rope blocks will not be required; however, we will be using two sets of double sheave live line rope blocks. The selection of the tie sticks is determined by the type of conductor tie

CHANGE CROSSARM INSULATOR WITH HOTSTICKS 9 which is in place, and the type of tie being used to attach the conductor upon completing the work. Our procedure includes untying a steel distribution top tie with a rotary blade and lever cutters, and tying the conductor back in with a supper-top tie using a hold stick and a hot rodder accessory, attached to a universal pole. It has been determined that two conductor covers, an insulator cover, a pole guard and a crossarm guard are required as protective cover.

10 STUDENT TRAINING MANUAL Lesson 4: Inspect and Clean the Hotsticks and Tools Learning Objective:Inspect and clean the hotsticks and tools required to change out an insulator on a three-phase crossarm. Learning Method:Self-learning + On-the-job Evaluation Method:Written test Introduction All of the hotsticks and accessories should be set out on a tarp and thoroughly inspected. The hotsticks must be cleaned and wiped down with a silicone wiping cloth and all of the saddles, lever lifts, protective covers and rope blocks must be in perfect working condition. The sticks should be set on hotstick tool holders after they have been cleaned.

CHANGE CROSSARM INSULATOR WITH HOTSTICKS 11 Lesson 5: Install Protective Cover Learning Objective:Install protective cover where required. Learning Method:Self-learning + On-the-job Evaluation Method:Written test Introduction Protective cover should be installed by hanging the handline in a position that will allow the tools to be easily raised to the workers. Begin by installing two line guards and an insulator cover with a grip all hotstick on the centre phase. A short pole guard may be used to cover the snipe of the pole. A crossarm guard is also used when untying and tying the conductor. If working clearances require the outside phases to be covered, it should also be done at this time as well.

12 STUDENT TRAINING MANUAL Installing the Hotsticks From the working side of the structure untie and cut the tie wire away from the conductor to be moved. This allows the wire tongs to be attached closer to the insulator. (If the tie wire or the insulator is in poor condition, the wire tongs must be attached before attempting to untie the conductor). Installing the Lifting Tong Attach a wire tong band to the lifting tong not more than 30 inches from the head of the lifting tong. Clamp the lifting tong to the conductor, a short distance from the insulator, by rotating the pole. Attach a lever lift to the pole at the butt ring of the lifting tong and secure it with the wheel tightener. Attach the lifting tong by inserting the clevis pin into the butt ring. Installing the Holding Tong Mount the holding tong saddle with the corresponding wire tong clamp to the pole approximately 3 feet down from the crossarm, at an angle of 30 degrees between the centre of the pole, on the opposite side of the pole from the phase to be moved. Attach the holding tong to the conductor beside the lifting tong; engage the holding tong in the saddle clamp and tighten the clamp.

CHANGE CROSSARM INSULATOR WITH HOTSTICKS 13 Installing the Rope Blocks Install a rope snubbing bracket at the base of the pole and secure it with the wheel tightener. Choke a sling to the pole approximately halfway between the holding tong saddle and the lever lift. Install a set of rope blocks in the standing position between the sling and the clevis on the lever lift. Take up the slack in the fall line and secure it to the snubbing bracket. Install a second set of rope blocks in the standing position to the holding tong saddle clevis and, using a hotstick and the hotstick handling rings, attach the other end of the rope blocks to the wire tong band on the lifting tong. Remove the slack and secure the fall line to the snubbing bracket. Finish untying the conductor. Now the conductor is ready to move.

14 STUDENT TRAINING MANUAL Lesson 6: Moving the Conductor Learning Objective:Demonstrate the procedure to move conductors using wire tongs and rope blocks. Learning Method:Self-learning + On-the-job Evaluation Method:Written test Introduction Have the ground personnel untie and hold the fall lines of the rope blocks attached to both of the wire tongs. One of the workers on the pole can now loosen the clamp on the holding tong saddle. With the rope blocks attached to the lever lift, the ground personnel can raise the conductor upward approximately 1 foot as directed by the pole personnel. While guiding the holding tong with outward pressure, the rope blocks which are attached to the wire tong band are gradually released until the conductor rests at a safe working distance from the pole. Tighten the saddle clamp on the holding tong, securing the conductor in position.

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16 STUDENT TRAINING MANUAL Lesson 7: Changing the Insulator Learning Objective:Install the hotsticks in the configuration required to change out an insulator on a three-phase crossarm. Learning Method:Self-learning + On-the-job Evaluation Method:Written test Introduction Position yourself on the pole to remove the insulator, at all times, working clearances must be maintained or additional protection must be installed. Remove the damaged insulator and send it down on the handline. Check the insulator pin to ensure that it is in good condition. Replace the insulator with a new one.

CHANGE CROSSARM INSULATOR WITH HOTSTICKS 17 Lesson 8: Attaching the Conductor Learning Objective:Demonstrate the procedure to untie and tie the line conductors using the hotstick method. Learning Method:Self-learning + On-the-job Evaluation Method:Written test Introduction The conductor should be moved into position by the ground personnel manipulating the rope blocks under supervision of the powerline technician from the pole. Once the conductor is in the insulator grove, pull downward on the wire tongs to keep the conductor in place while it is being tied in. Tie the conductor into the insulator with a super-top tie using a hold stick and a universal stick along with a hot rodder accessory installed on one end of it. Inspect the tie. Remove the rope blocks and wire tongs and send them to the ground on the handline. Finish removing the saddles, lever lifts and protective cover from the structure. Remove the handline and send it to the ground. Descend the pole. Clean up the work site and store all of the hotsticks and accessories back on the trailer. Verbally attain clearance from all personnel involved that the work has been completed and formally surrender the standoff on the circuit. The job is now complete.

18 STUDENT TRAINING MANUAL Summary To summarize this module, you have learned: The procedure to hold a tail board discussion The procedure to determine the weight of the conductor The identity of the hotsticks and tools required to change out an insulator on a three-phase crossarm The procedure to inspect and clean the hotsticks and tools required to change out an insulator on a three-phase crossarm The procedure to install protective cover where required The procedure to move conductors using wire tongs and rope blocks The procedure to install the hotsticks in the configuration required to change out an insulator on a three-phase crossarm The procedure to untie and tie the line conductors using the hotstick method Practice Feedback Review the lesson, ask any questions and complete the self-test. Evaluation When you are ready, complete the final test. You are expected to achieve 100%.

CHANGE CROSSARM INSULATOR WITH HOTSTICKS 19 Review Questions 1. Your prime considerations when performing live line work are your personal safety and the safety of your coworkers. 2. Recommended working clearances do not have to be maintained at all times when performing live line work. 3. A proper tailboard will include: (a) Work assignments defined and designated. (b) Specialty tools or equipment to be utilized. (c) Potential hazards. (d) All of these 4. The recommended working clearance on a 25kV line is: (a) 1.22m. (b).60m. (c).90m (d) None of these 5. Span length is not a factor in the weight at the suspension point. 6. When calculating the weight of a conductor, a span of 75 metres requires a safety factor of 1.5. 7. You must determine the condition of the structure you are working on. 8. You may use a 1-1/2 inch wire tong for a lifting tong. 9. The working side of the structure is the side opposite the crossarm. 10. All hotsticks must be cleaned before use with a silicone wiping cloth. 11. It is not necessary to inspect saddles before use. 12. The lifting tong is attached to the lever lift.

20 STUDENT TRAINING MANUAL 13. A wire tong band is attached to the lifting tong more than 30 inches from the head. 14. The wire tong saddle is installed 3 feet down from the crossarm. 15. The holding tong is attached to the conductor beside the lifting tong. 16. Rope blocks are used to assist with the moving of the conductor. 17. Ground personnel assist the workers with the movement of the conductors. 18. The rope blocks attached to the lever lift will raise the conductor giving the lineman more vertical clearance from the crossarm. 19. The power line technician must maintain proper working clearances when changing the insulator. 20. The power line technician should inspect the insulator pin to make sure that it is in good condition. 21. The conductor is moved into position by the ground personnel using the rope block. 22. A super top tie is installed using a hold stick and a universal pole with a hot rodder attachment. 23. The standoff is to be surrendered after the work is complete.

CHANGE CROSSARM INSULATOR WITH HOTSTICKS 21 Review Question Solutions 1. T 2. F 3. All of these 4..60m. 5. F 6. T 7. T 8. F 9. T 10. T 11. F 12. T 13. F 14. T 15. T 16. T 17. T 18. T 19. T 20. T 21. T 22. T

22 STUDENT TRAINING MANUAL 23. T