How to Lift a Power Line with Terex Equipment

Lineman in bucket truck

Terex bucket trucks and digger derricks are powerful machines that enable line crews to work around energized power lines. Terex equipment, when used properly by trained personnel, can lift live power lines so the power can stay on, while the crew performs the necessary work on the electric system. The following outlines some important things that utility crews must keep in mind when they are doing live power line work.

Jib Booms are Not Insulating

The main thing that operators need to remember is that the jib boom on Terex equipment is not insulating. Jib booms can have cracks and be prone to contamination because they are used to lift many different types of loads. Jib booms are not manufactured, tested, or rated to provide insulation even though they are made from non-conductive material. Lineworkers cannot consider the jib boom to be insulating when they are lifting and working around live power lines.

Winch Lines are Not Insulating

Winch lines are also not considered insulating. Utility crews should always use an insulated link on the winch line if they are lifting energized power lines using the winch line. Winch lines cannot go across the insulating sections for the same reason.

Proper Steps for Lifting Conductors

The proper method to lift live power lines with a Terex unit is to use an insulated conductor lifting attachment. These attachments are hot line tools made of fiberglass and rated for high-voltage use. Conductor lifting attachments create separation between the boom tip and the live power line and allow crews to lift and move conductors during hot work. These conductor lifting attachments must be treated as hot line tools, which requires cleaning before use and storage in a compartment for travel. The clear span distance of the insulating tool must be determined based on the voltage of the line being lifted.

Here are several other factors to consider when lifting energized or de-energized power lines with Terex equipment:

Never lift power lines with the bucket or boom.
Know the weight of the line being lifted and how the weight will change as the line is moved.
Remain within the material handling capacity on the load chart of the equipment.
Do not attempt to lift power lines from an angle or corner pole configuration.
Use a lifting method that does not damage the power line.
Always pay attention to the surroundings and the other power lines in the area. Make sure control of the line is always maintained.
When working on live lines the system protection should be switched to single shot (non-reclosing) in case of a fault.
Be familiar with OSHA regulations for the insulation length required for hot line work.
Follow your employer’s safe work rules for all tasks assigned.
Always wear your PPE, such as gloves and sleeves.
The operator can never work or handle two different potentials at the boom tip.

Read the full Terex Product Advisory (PA716) on conductor lifting by clicking here.

Photo Courtesy: Logan County Electric Cooperative