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Hello my name is Marc Staves. I am 38 years young and have been in
the Electrical power industry now for over 10 years. I have made this page
in Honor of all the hard working men and women that
for the most part go unnoticed as they perform a very dangerous
but rewarding job. For the average person who knows nothing more about
electricity other then that when you throw a little switch your light comes
on. I hope that this page brings some insight into the behind the scenes
activities that makes it all happen.
I hope to have this page updated often so please check back frequently!!
Most power companies pride themselves on the fact that most
of there work is done while the system is still energized. this is also
refered to as "HOT LINE WORK" or " WORKING IT HOT" The first thing that
one needs to keep in mind when you hear these terms is the fact that what
they refer to are High voltages. High voltages are defined as any voltage
above 600 volts mesured to a ground source. More typicly the work is done
on voltages above 2400 volts.
Many companies distribute several different voltages ranging from 2400
volts to 34,500 volts. Medium High Voltage, in the area of around 115,000
volts, Extremly High Voltage 765,000 volts. Much of this depends on a companies
needs and its customer base also the size of the company is a factor that
would be considered as to what level is used.
You maybe wondering at this point how in the world does one work on
something that all their lives they have been told not to touch! Well there
are many different methods that are used. The two most common methods also
the oldest are, The Rubber Glove Method and The Hot Stick method. Both
methods are very specialized and the later of the two mentioned even more
so then the first.
The Rubber Glove method means just that. The lineman wears a pair of
rubber insulating gloves and rubber sleaves that are full arm length. this
method allows you to come in complete hand contact with the energized conductor.
This allows the lineman to complete the needed repairs to the line totally
unoticed by you the customer. These gloves being the only true protection
for the lineman are tested each time before being used for there insulating
integrity. This ensures the linemans saftey and protects them from near
certain death or severe bodily harm if they fail to function in the manner
they were intended to.
The Hot Stick Method consists of a team of linemen that are specially
trained in the use of insulating sticks of various lengths and diameter,
and different tool attachments.this allows the the linecrew to manipulate
the conductors in such a way that they can perform the needed repairs.
These special teams are considered by many to be the cream of the crop
of pole climbers and it requires them to have execelent abilities along
with a tenacious level of patience.
