Tips & News - November 2014

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Working in conjunction with SCE’s Transmission Training Organization and the Transmission Construction Methods Group, McDonald conducted a three week training class for SCE trainers, who will teach the lineman how to do bare- hand, live-line work. McDonald has conducted similar classes for the Salt River Project, SanDiegoGas & Electric, Bonneville Power and the Western Area Power Administration. “The first few days were all classroom training. We went through all of the theory behind bare-hand work, the equipment and all the tools. We laid out the tools and hardware to see what SCE had and made sure it would work for what we were going to be doing there. The rest of it was hands on training,” explains McDonald. “We worked on ‘V’ string configurations on the 500-kV line. We practiced using three different methods to access the work area. First, we worked off of a ladder to reach the conductor. Second, we used an insulated aerial device--the bare-hand bucket--to access the wire. And, we practiced using ropes,” continues McDonald. Members of SCE’s corporate safety team came out for a day to fine tune the program, and representatives from Cal OSHA spent a day at Daggett during the last week. They observed the training, including the tailboard (pre-work safety) briefing, step by step work procedures, use of the aerial device, the inspection of tools and the use of personal protective equipment. McDonald continues, “After the Cal OSHA people went back to Sacramento, they had a few follow-up questions about the ropes and about how to test the aerial device. We addressed their concerns and included the information in the variance,” says McDonald. where it stands now With the initial review of the variance complete, SCE is ready to begin training its line workers, as soon as work schedule allows – probably in October or November of this year. By the end of the year, SCE will also develop a prioritized work schedule. The utility plans to begin bare-hand, live-line work in January or February of 2015. Carbajal stresses, “In this case, time is not an issue: safety is our first priority. We are trying to cross every ‘t’ anddot every ‘i.’ We want to be sure that we have the right products and the right training before we begin this work. Our employee’s safety is paramount.”

In rebuilding a 14kV substation in El Paso, Texas in late fall 2013, El Paso Electric found something quite extraordinary: a 71 year old Fargo ® parallel groove clamp. “I collect antique electrical parts,” said Salvador Gonzalez, the lineman that found the connector, “so I knew it was old.” Gonzalez sent the clamp back to Hubbell Power Systems in Leeds, Alabama where the age was verified. Not only was this elder clamp still in service, but it would have remained in service had the substation not been rebuilt. “I attest the clamp’s duration to the quality of howproducts used to bemade. The clampwas made out of copper, which is less prone to expand and contract with temperature,” remarked Gonzalez.

“although we’ve simplified some parts in our clamps, they are virtually made the same way today as they were when this clamp was manufactured.”

-arnie CoBB, produCt Manager, diStriBution ConneCtorS

Hubbell Power Systems’ commitment to quality begins with our people and expands to all products we manufacture. To learn more about the Hubbell difference, check out our policy at hubbellpowersystems.com/literature/general/ excellenceBrochure.pdf

HUBBELL POWER SYSTEMS |

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