Guide To Live LV Electrical Work (March 2005)

15 March, 2005 Guides:\Guide to Live LV Electrical Work (March 2005) 1
Guide to Live LV Electrical Work

March 2005
DISCLAIMER
This document is recommended as good practice by electricity supply industry
representatives, but it is not a substitute for legislative or other regulatory requirements. If
there is uncertainty as to what guidelines or legislative requirements apply in any particular
situation, specialist advice, including legal advice, should be sought.
The Electricity Engineers' Association of New Zealand (Inc) and the electricity supply industry
representatives involved in preparing this document accept no liability or responsibility for any
error or omission contained in this document, or any injury, loss, damage (including indirect or
consequential loss or damage), or any other claim arising from any reliance on, or failure to
rely on, the contents of this document.
COPYRIGHT 2005
Copyright is owned by the Electricity Engineers Association of New Zealand (Inc), PO Box
5324, Wellington.
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any
means (graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or
information retrieval systems) without the written permission of the copyright owner.
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 4
1.1 Intent of Guide....................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Legislation and Other Related Requirements....................................................... 4
1.3 Definitions ............................................................................................................. 6
2. SAFETY EQUIPMENT.................................................................................................... 8
2.1 Insulating Gloves................................................................................................... 8
2.2 Insulating Boots..................................................................................................... 8
2.3 Insulating Covers and Blankets ............................................................................ 9
2.4 LV Safety Mats.................................................................................................... 10
2.5 LV Line Hose....................................................................................................... 10
2.6 Insulating Tools................................................................................................... 11
3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES............................................................................................... 11
3.1 Techniques.......................................................................................................... 11
3.2 General Precautions with Live LV Conductors ................................................... 12
3.3 Secondary Points of Contact .............................................................................. 12
3.4 Worksite Safety Plan........................................................................................... 13
3.5 Personal Protective Equipment........................................................................... 13
3.6 Electrical Worker Competency............................................................................ 13
3.7 Safety Observer .................................................................................................. 13
3.8 Low Voltage Networks ........................................................................................ 14
3.9 Phase Position of Lines....................................................................................... 14
3.10 Connection of Services ....................................................................................... 14
3.11 Working on Auxiliary Circuits .............................................................................. 14
4. WORK ON LIVE LV OVERHEAD CONDUCTORS ...................................................... 14
5. WORK ON LIVE LV CABLES ....................................................................................... 15
5.1 Gloved Hand ....................................................................................................... 15
5.2 Bare Hand........................................................................................................... 15
6. INSTALLATION OR REMOVAL OF LV CONDUCTORS ON POLES CARRYING LIVE
CONDUCTORS............................................................................................................. 16
7. WORK ON OTHER LIVE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT ................................................ 17
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Intent of Guide
This guide has been prepared to provide electrical workers with guidance on how
to control risks inherent in live LV work and document techniques to enable live
LV work to be carried out in a safe manner.
The guide is intended to be read in conjunction with the Electricity Engineers
Association publications Safe Practices for Low Voltage Electrical Work and
Safety Manual Electricity Industry (SM-EI) July 2004.
1.2 Legislation and Other Related Requirements
The requirements for working on LV conductors within the electricity supply
industry, are governed by a number of regulations, codes of practice, standards
and industry best practice guidelines.
1.2.1 Regulations
Electricity Regulations (1997)
(a) Regulation 29 covers work on live conductors of LV overhead
lines in electrical installations. It covers those parts of overhead
lines which belong to customers. When working on such lines
and there is exposed live metal or the likelihood of contact,
associated equipment and personal protective equipment
necessary to ensure safety must be used.
(b) Regulation 31 covers the construction of overhead lines on
existing poles or other supports. Where any additional
conductors are being strung between poles or supports already
holding conductors then either the existing conductors must be
isolated and earthed or the additional conductors are earthed
and applicable associated equipment is used.
(c) Regulation 35 requires the employer to ensure the safety of
employees. In particular the employer must provide safe
working procedures for employees to follow when carrying out
prescribed electrical work and ensure that associated equipment
and personal protective equipment is safe for the employee to
use. The employer must also ensure that employees have
adequate knowledge and experience of the type of work being
carried out, be adequately trained in the safe use of associated
equipment, personal protective equipment and the procedures.
Employees must also check that associated equipment and PPE
is in good condition and use the equipment and procedures.
(d) Regulation 37 covers the testing of prescribed electrical work,
and requires testing to ensure operational safety, and that the
work does not reduce the safety of existing works.
(e) Regulation 69 requires works and associated equipment to be
electrically safe.
(f) Regulation 87 covers compliance with regulation 69 and
requires, amongst other requirements, that connections between
conductors and between conductors and other fittings are safe
and reliable.
1.2.2 Electrical Codes of Practice
New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances
NZECP 34:2001
ECP 34 sets minimum safe electrical distance requirements for
overhead electric line installations and other works associated with the
supply of electricity.
The minimum distances have been set primarily to protect persons,
property, vehicles and mobile plant from harm or damage from
electrical hazards. The distances are also a guide for the design of
electrical works within substations, generating stations or similar areas
where electrical equipment and fittings have to be operated and
maintained.
1.2.3 Industry Best Practice Guidelines
(a) Safety Manual Electricity Industry (SM-EI) (July 2004)
(i) Rule 3.710 covers work associated with installation or
dismantling of LV conductors where contact with or
induction from other conductors could occur.
(ii) Rule 3.721 covers work on live LV overhead conductors.
(iii) Rule 3.731 covers work on live LV cables.
Note: Safety Manual Electricity Industry (SM-EI) where
adopted by an asset owner or contractor is mandatory.
(b) EEA Guide to Safe Practices for Low Voltage Electrical Work
The EEA publication Safe Practices for Low Voltage Electrical
Work provides the requirements for safe work on LV systems
generally.
(c) EEA Guide to Portable Equipment for Work On or Near
Conductors
The EEA publication Portable Equipment for Work On or Near
Conductors provides guidance on selected purchase
specification, and the inspection and testing requirements of
portable equipment used on;
(i) HV conductors for the purpose of isolation, testing, and
earthing; and
(ii) LV conductors for temporary insulation.
(d) EEA Guide to the Identification of and Work on Cables
The EEA publication Identification of and Work on Cables
provides guidance on the requirements for identifying and
making safe HV and LV power cables, and for working on LV
power cables, including live cables.
(e) Line Mechanics Handbook
The EEA Line Mechanics Handbook, 5th edition 2004, provides
guidance and training information for line mechanics who work
on electricity supply industry assets, including LV overhead
conductors. The Handbook covers the theory applicable to
electrical systems, support structures and maintenance
techniques, as well as practical guidance on how to carry out
various tasks.
1.3 Definitions
For the purpose of this guide, the following definitions apply:
1.3.1 Approved - Have a relevant organisations endorsement for a specified
function.
1.3.2 Brush Contact - Momentary accidental contact.
1.3.3 Competent An employee is competent when they can demonstrate
to their employer, at any time, that they have the necessary knowledge,
skills and experience to carry out the work safely and to the standards
used by the employer, having acquired through training, qualification
and experience the knowledge and skills to correctly perform the task
required.
1.3.4 Conductor - Bare conductor or conductor not insulated to full working
voltage (unless the context conveys another meaning). Conductor
includes conductive parts.
1.3.5 De-energized - Not connected to any source of electrical supply but
not necessarily at zero voltage (eg. may have an induced voltage).
1.3.6 Discharge - The removal of an electric charge by the application of a
suitable discharge device.
1.3.7 Disconnected - Physically separated from any source of electrical
energy, isolated where necessary and secured in a position clear of
any electrical equipment that is capable of being energised.
1.3.8 Earthed Effectively connected to the general mass of earth:
(a) If protective devices are fitted, in a manner that ensures the
electrical isolation of any defective equipment through the
operation of the protective devices; or
(b) in a manner that ensures the removal of any charge.
1.3.9 Electrical worker - A person engaged in the installation, maintenance,
repair, alteration, testing or fault finding on electrical equipment,
including the supervision of such work.
1.3.10 Energised (live) Electrically livened, or connected to or containing
some other source of energy (eg. steam, compressed air, hydraulic
energy, spring under compression, tension or torsion, etc).
1.3.11 Equipment (electrical) - Apparatus, transmission/distribution lines,
cables, and circuits, or plant (electrical, mechanical, civil) that can be
removed from service and which, when it is removed from service, if
energised or put back into service inadvertently, could be a hazard to
employees and other persons. Such equipment is typically fixed in
location, and used for the generation, transmission and distribution of
electricity. Such equipment is typically personal protective equipment,
mobile or portable equipment and is used for maintenance or
construction.
1.3.12 Exposed conductors - Electrical conductors and parts, approach to
which is not prevented by a barrier of rigid material in good order or by
insulation that is adequate for the voltage concerned and that is in
sound condition.
1.3.13 Fault finding - The process of making measurements or carrying out
tests on equipment to locate faults. It may also include the process of
connecting testing instruments or devices to various parts of the
equipment to determine how the equipment is operating.
1.3.14 Hazardous area - An area in which an explosive atmosphere is
present or may be expected to be present, in quantities such as to
require special precautions for the construction, installation and use of
electrical equipment.
1.3.15 Insulated - Separated from adjacent conducting material by a non-
conducting substance permanently providing resistance to the passage
of current, or to disruptive discharges through or over the surface of the
substance or space, to obviate danger of shock or injurious or
damaging leakage of current.
1.3.16 Isolated Deliberately disconnected from external sources of harm,
eg. energy (electrical or mechanical) or asphyxiating, toxic or
flammable gas, and rendered incapable of being reconnected without
predetermined deliberate action.
Notes:
1. Isolation can be achieved by opening disconnectors, closing
valves or similar actions.
2. Where practicable, points of isolation shall be tagged in the
isolated position.
3. Despite equipment being isolated, it may still contain hazards,
eg. induced voltage, LV supplies, stored energy, toxic gas.
1.3.17 Isolator - A device which for reasons of safety, provides in the open
position, breaks appropriate to the voltage and the insulating medium.
1.3.18 Personal protective equipment (PPE) - Items that electrical workers
can use to protect themselves against a hazard.
1.3.19 Secondary point of contact - A conductive or semi-conductive object
at a different potential from the live conductor to be worked on. The
general mass of earth is to be considered a secondary point of contact.
1.3.20 Testing - The use of logical methodology or test instruments or test
equipment by a competent person.
1.3.21 Voltage - Differences of potential normally existing between
conductors and between conductors and earth as follows:
(a) Low voltage (LV) - exceeding extra-low voltage but not
exceeding 1000 V a.c. or 1500 V d.c.
(b) High voltage (HV) - exceeding low voltage
2. SAFETY EQUIPMENT
2.1 Insulating Gloves
All insulating gloves should be either class 0 or 00 rated or other equivalent
rating and comply with ASTM D120 Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves
or an equivalent internationally recognised Standard. It is electricity supply
industry practice that insulating gloves be clearly identified with their maximum
safe working voltage and that inspection of safety equipment, including insulating
gloves, be carried out at six monthly intervals.
Inspection alone is considered inadequate by the industry to ensure the
continuing safety of insulating gloves used for protection against LV.
Accordingly, it is the practice of the industry, as a practicable step to safeguard
employees, to also test LV insulating gloves at the required inspection intervals
and mark their container with a next due for test date.
A recording system must be used to record the scheduled inspections, tests and
service lives of insulating gloves. For tracking and recording purposes, the
gloves should be marked with a unique identifying number. Gloves that do not
carry the required information, including the next due for test date, must not be
used; instead they must be withdrawn from service until they have been re-
tested, found to be safe and adequately marked.
Immediately prior to use, the gloves should be visually checked for defects the
test certification for currency i.e. not past the next due for test date and then
tested for any air leaks through cuts and weak spots. This is best done by rolling
them up tightly, beginning at the cuff end, and noting if air escapes. Always use
over-gloves for mechanical protection wherever practicable. Insulating gloves
should be kept in special containers to prevent damage in storage or being
transported.
Note: Insulating gloves for use on LV are available with protective ratings for up
to 650V AC nominal maximum voltage and 1000V AC nominal maximum voltage
and the correctly rated gloves must be selected for the nominal voltage of the
equipment to be worked on.
2.2 Insulating Boots
All insulating boots should be either dielectric boot design for over foot with steel
toe or dielectric over shoe boots rated to a standard at least equal to the
equivalent of ASTM class 0 or class 00, or an equivalent internationally
recognised Standard. It is electricity supply industry practice that insulating
boots be clearly identified with their maximum safe working voltage and that
inspection of safety equipment, include insulating boots, be carried out at six
monthly intervals.
continuing safety of insulating boots used for protection against LV. Accordingly,
it is the practice of the industry, as a practicable step to safeguard employees, to
also test LV insulating boots at the required inspection intervals and mark their
container with a next due for test date.
service lives of insulating boots. For tracking and recording purposes, the boots
should be marked with a unique identifying number. Boots that do not carry the
required information, including the next due for test date, must not be used;
instead they must be withdrawn from service until they have been re-tested,
found to be safe and adequately marked.
Immediately prior to use, the boots should be visually checked for defects, the
test certification for currency (ie. not past the next due for test date), and then
tested for any air leaks through cuts and weak spots. This is best done by rolling
them up tightly, beginning at the cuff end, and noting if air escapes. Insulating
boots should be kept in special containers to prevent damage while in storage or
being transported.
Insulating boots are only to be used for actual live LV work. Alternative
protective footwear is to be used for all other activities including preparation for
and tidy up after the actual live work.
Note: Insulating boots are available in a range of protective ratings and correctly
rated boots must be selected for the nominal voltage of the equipment to be
worked on.
2.3 Insulating Covers and Blankets
All insulating covers and blankets should be class O rated and comply with
D1049, Specification for Rubber Insulating Covers or ASTM D1048
Specification for Rubber Insulating Blankets, or an equivalent internationally
recognised Standard. It is electricity supply industry practice that insulating
covers and blankets be clearly identified with their maximum safe working
voltage and that inspection of safety equipment, including insulating covers and
blankets, be carried out at six monthly intervals.
continuing safety of insulating covers and blankets used for protection against
LV. Accordingly, it is the practice of the industry, as a practicable step to
safeguard employees, to also test LV insulating covers and blankets at the
required inspection intervals and mark their container with a next due for test
date.
service lives of insulating covers and blankets. For tracking and recording
purposes, the covers and blankets should be marked with a unique identifying
number. Covers and blankets that do not carry the required information,
including the next due for test date, must not be used; instead they must be
withdrawn from service, until they have been re-tested, found to be safe and
adequately marked.
Immediately prior to use, the covers and blankets should be visually checked for
defects such as cuts, abrasions or cracking, the test certification for currency i.e.
not past the next due for test date. Insulating covers and blankets should be
kept in special containers to prevent damage while in storage or being
transported.
Note: Insulating covers and blankets for LV are available with protective ratings
for up to 650V AC nominal maximum voltage and 1000V AC nominal maximum
voltage and the correctly rated insulating covers and blankets must be selected
for the nominal voltage of the equipment to be worked on.
2.4 LV Safety Mats
All LV safety mats should be specifically manufactured for foot traffic with a
rating to a standard at least equal to the equivalent of AS/NZS 2978-1995
Insulating Mats for Electrical Purposes class A, or an equivalent internationally
recognised Standard. It is electricity supply industry practice that insulating mats
be clearly identified with their maximum safe working voltage and that inspection
of safety equipment, including insulating mats, be carried out at six monthly
intervals.
continuing safety of LV Safety mats used for protection against LV. Accordingly,
also test LV safety mats at the required inspection intervals and mark their
service lives of LV safety mats. For tracking and recording purposes, the mats
should be marked with a unique identifying number. Mats that do not carry the
required information, including the next due for test date, must not be used;
instead they must be withdrawn from service until they have been re-tested,
found to be safe and adequately marked.
Immediately prior to use, the mats should be visually checked for defects such
as cuts, abrasions or cracking, the test certification for currency i.e. not past the
next due for test date. LV safety mats should be kept in special containers to
prevent damage while in storage or being transported.
Note: LV safety mats are available with protective ratings for up to 650V AC
nominal maximum voltage and 1000V AC nominal maximum voltage and the
correctly rated safety mats must be selected for the nominal voltage of the
equipment to be worked on.
2.5 LV Line Hose
All LV line hoses should be of an adequate rating to a standard at least equal to
the relevant NZ standard or an equivalent internationally recognised Standard. It
is electricity supply industry practice that insulating hose be clearly identified with
the maximum safe working voltage and that inspection of safety equipment,
including LV line hoses, be carried out at six monthly intervals.
continuing safety of LV Line Hoses used for protection against LV. Accordingly,
also test LV insulating mats at the required inspection intervals and mark their
service lives of LV line hoses. For tracking and recording purposes, the LV line
hoses should be marked with a unique identifying number. LV line hoses that do
not carry the required information, including the next due for test date, must not
be used; instead they must be withdrawn from service until they have been re-
Immediately prior to use, LV line hoses should be visually checked for defects
such as cuts, abrasions or cracking, the test certification for currency i.e. not past
the next due for test date. LV line hoses should be kept in special containers to
prevent damage while in storage or being transported.
Note: LV line hoses are available with protective ratings for up to 650V AC
nominal maximum voltage and the correctly rated LV line hoses must be
selected for the nominal voltage of the equipment to be worked on.
2.6 Insulating Tools
All insulated tools and equipment should of a rating at least equivalent to BSEN
60900:2004 (Live Working Handtool for use up to 1000V a.c. and 1500V d.c.), or
an equivalent internationally recognised Standard. It is electricity supply industry
practice that insulated tools and equipment be clearly identified with their
maximum safe working voltage and that inspection of safety equipment,
including insulated tools, be carried out at six monthly intervals.
continuing safety of insulated tools used for protection against LV. Accordingly,
it is the practice of the industry, as a practicable step to safeguard workers, to
also test LV insulating tools at the required inspection intervals and mark their
service lives of insulating tools. For tracking and recording purposes, the tools
should be marked with a unique identifying number. Insulating tools that do not
carry the required information, including the next due for test date, must not be
used; instead they must be withdrawn from service, until they have been re-
Immediately prior to use, the insulating tools should be visually checked for
defects such as cuts, abrasions or cracking, and the test certification for currency
i.e. not past the next due for test date. Insulating tools should be kept in special
containers to prevent damage while in storage or being transported.
Note: Insulating Tools are available with protective ratings for up to 1000V AC
nominal maximum working voltage and the correctly rated tools must be selected
for the nominal voltage of the equipment to be worked on.
3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Any work to be undertaken on or within 150mm of live LV conductors is considered to
be live work in the context of this guide. No live LV work is to be undertaken in
hazardous areas.
3.1 Techniques
3.1.1 Gloved Hand
Use of appropriately rated insulating gloves with over gloves to provide
protection.
3.1.2 Bare Hand
(a) Use of appropriately rated insulated footwear consisting of
insulated boots, shoes, or over boots, to provide protection.
(b) This technique requires all points of possible secondary contact
to be covered up with insulated cover during the live work.
(c) Electrical workers shall not touch each other, nor hand each
other tools while a worker is in contact with a live conductor.
(d) It is recommended that LV safety mats be used in conjunction
with insulated footwear where the insulated footwear is not
specifically design for primary protection.
3.1.3 Insulated Tools
Use of appropriately rated insulated tools and equipment to provide
protection.
3.2 General Precautions with Live LV Conductors
When electrical workers are working on live LV conductors, the following
precautions shall be observed in addition to those set out in SM-EI rule 3.721
Work on Live LV Overhead Conductors:
All conductors are to be treated the same as live exposed conductors unless the
conductor insulating covering is found to be in a satisfactory condition and rated
for the voltage. For the purpose of this neutral conductors are to be treated as
live conductors.
No two conductors may be bared at the same time (except for the purpose of
connecting them together) if one bare part can be reached while working on the
other. When work is completed on one conductor, it shall be re-insulated before
work is commenced on another.
(a) Where conductors are to be joined or terminated:
(i) Any exposed ends of conductors are to be restrained to prevent
accidental contact with surfaces at different potentials.
(ii) The conductors to be connected are to be tested to ensure they are
at the same potential and phase. Where new or modified
conductors are installed the requirements of the Electricity
Regulations are to be carried out. Consideration also needs to
be given to the connection method where potential load current may
exist due to a connected load.
(b) Where conductors to be worked on may become live, they are to be
treated as live conductors.
(c) Where conductors are connected to devices containing stored energy,
they are to be treated as live until the device has been discharged.
(d) Before energising a conductor by connecting it to a live conductor, a test
shall be made to check that it is safe to do so.
(e) When two electrical workers are working within reach of each other, they
shall not work on different phases or on a phase and a neutral, and tools
shall not be passed to a worker in contact with a live conductor. Electrical
workers shall keep clear of earthed metal such as telephone wires, stay
wires, messenger wires, cable potheads and sheaths, earth wires,
transformer cases, street light brackets and steel or concrete poles and
stay bars (crossarm braces) on such poles. Where it is not possible for an
electrical worker to keep a safe distance from such earthed metal,
insulating covers shall be applied to it.
3.3 Secondary Points of Contact
When planning work an assessment of the work area needs to be conducted
identifying all live or potentially live conductors, and conductors or conductive
surfaces at different potentials, to enable the 150mm minimum approach
distance for LV to be maintained from these surfaces. For the purpose of this,
the earthing of all exposed metal including the lead sheaths, neutral screens or
armouring of cables, needs to be considered.
All secondary points of contact that are identified including any exposed metal in
or adjacent to the planned work area that may present a brush contact hazard
during the live work should be covered up using rated covers, mats, barriers,
tubing etc.
3.4 Worksite Safety Plan
As required by SM-EI, prior to the commencement of work, a worksite safety
plan is to be established. For live LV work this should include but not be limited
to:
(a) A thorough assessment of work site for potential hazards paying particular
attention to prevention of access into the work area of other parties and
the general public, weather conditions if outside and lighting.
(b) A method of hazard management for each identified hazard.
(c) An assessment of the condition of conductor insulation or covering should
be carried out in planning where additional cover up may be required.
(d) Identification of personal protective equipment required.
(e) The scope of the work to be undertaken.
(f) The competencies of the electrical workers to undertake respective work
tasks.
(g) Work procedure to be used including the selection of adequately rated live
LV protective equipment.
3.5 Personal Protective Equipment
For work on live LV equipment, industrial work wear, including overalls shall be
worn at all times so that the body is fully covered including arms, torso and legs
and shall be a minimum of 100%/185gsm cotton or flame retardant and shall
have no metal fittings, unless they are protected by a layer of the same material
as that of the garment on both the top and undersides.
Eye protection is to be worn for the duration of live LV work consisting of suitable
protective glasses, goggles or face shield. Anti-glare eye protection should be
used as appropriate.
3.6 Electrical Worker Competency
Only electrical workers who are competent to undertake the task intended to be
carried out live when the line or equipment is in a de-energised state, and
deemed competent by their employer or supervisor to do so, shall undertake live
LV work. Where a worker is undergoing training in live LV work, direct
supervision must be provided for the duration of the live work activity.
3.7 Safety Observer
It is recommended that a safety observer who is competent in the task to be
undertaken is appointed for the duration of the live LV work activity.
3.8 Low Voltage Networks
Electrical workers should make themselves familiar with the layout of lines in the
area in which they are working. Special care is required when working on LV
lines that are interconnected and supplied from more than one transformer.
Before any connection is made at a line break termination, employees shall
correctly identify the phase and neutral conductors.
Note: Phasing may be identified by a disc system.
3.9 Phase Position of Lines
The relative positions of the phase conductors and the neutral conductor should
be standard throughout each electricity distributor's supply system. This may not
always be the case and it shall be the responsibility of every electrical worker to
familiarise themselves with the system of phase positioning in the area in which
they are working. Particular attention shall be paid to identifying the neutral
conductor.
3.10 Connection of Services
When connecting or reconnecting a service, an electrical worker shall ensure
that the connection is correctly made by appropriate testing as required by the
Electricity Regulations. Before connecting the service, a positive identification
shall be made of the house neutral, the main neutral and the street main neutral;
if this is not possible, the service shall not be connected.
3.11 Working on Auxiliary Circuits
When working on any auxiliary circuits, (eg. street lighting, pilot, control,
communications, etc), precautions may be made necessary by the high voltages
which can appear due to:
(a) the capacitive effect where they parallel an HV circuit; or
(b) the inductive effect where they parallel a fault carrying circuit.
4. WORK ON LIVE LV OVERHEAD CONDUCTORS
Before commencing work on live LV overhead conductors, an electrical worker shall:
(a) Wear insulating gloves:
(i) The minimum class of glove shall be Class OO 500 volt working.
(ii) Insulating gloves shall be worn at all times whilst aloft.
(b) Cover with insulating material every part of such conductors (except the
conductor on which work is being carried out) that could come in contact with
any part of the body during the course of the work. If the conductor insulating
covering is found to be satisfactory, and if there are no binders, line taps,
clamps, preformed terminations and other fittings attached to the conductor in
the proximity of the work, then conductor cover-up gear need not be used.
(i) For the purpose of this requirement, the neutral conductor shall be
regarded as a live conductor.
(ii) An assessment of the condition of conductor insulation or covering should
be carried out in planning where additional cover up may be required.
(c) Secondary points of contact are to be identified including any exposed metal in
or adjacent to the planned work area. All such points of contact that may present
a hazard during the live work should be covered up using rated covers, mats,
barriers, tubing etc.
5. WORK ON LIVE LV CABLES
One of the following methods of work shall be used:
5.1 Gloved Hand
(a) Appropriately rated insulating gloves shall be worn by all workers involved
in jointing live conductors.
(b) Where the jointing is to take place in a joint hole the hole is to be prepared
in such a manner to provide a level dry work surface on which to work.
(c) All exposed earthed metal, including lead sheaths, neutral screens or
armouring of cables in the immediate working area, shall be effectively
insulated using coverup.
(d) Only one core of the cable being worked on shall be made bare at a time,
and the jointing work on each core shall be completed and the core re-
insulated before a second core is made bare.
(e) When jointing a de-energised cable to a live cable, the worker shall ensure
that the de-energised cable is tested to meet the requirements of the
Electricity Regulations before and after any connections are made.
(f) Where a live cable is to be jointed to a cable already live, only one core of
each cable shall be made bare at a time. These cores shall be tested
before any connection is made between them in order to ensure that they
are at the same potential and phase.
5.2 Bare Hand
(a) Electrical workers shall adequately insulate themselves from earth, and
from all exposed earthed metal and the general mass of ground. To do
this, the floor and sides of the joint hole shall be covered with dry
insulating material. The floor of the joint hole shall be free of sharp objects
and be maintained in a level and dry state.
(b) Electrical workers shall wear appropriately rated insulating rubber boots,
shoes or over boots.
(c) All exposed earthed metal within the joint hole, including the lead sheaths,
neutral screens or armouring of all cables, shall be effectively insulated
before the live core of any cable is made bare and shall not be uncovered
until the cores of the cable have been re-insulated.
(d) Electrical workers and any assisting workers shall not touch each other,
nor hand each other tools while either is in contact with a live conductor.
(e) Only one core of the cable being worked on shall be made bare at a time,
and the jointing work on each core shall be completed and the core re-
insulated before a second core is made bare.
(f) When jointing a de-energised cable to a live cable, employees shall
ensure that the phase cores of the de-energised cable are insulated from
other conductors, from one another and from earth, before any
connections are made.
(g) Where a live cable is to be jointed to a cable already live, only one core of
each cable shall be made bare at a time. These cores shall be tested
before any connection is made between them in order to ensure that they
are at the same potential and phase.
6. INSTALLATION OR REMOVAL OF LV CONDUCTORS ON POLES CARRYING LIVE
CONDUCTORS
(a) Insulating gloves shall be worn at all times when handling the conductor until
such time as the conductor is terminated, earthed, and bound in. In addition,
insulating boots or over boots may be worn. These requirements need not apply
when all the following conditions apply:
(i) The conductor being run out or removed is covered with rated PVC
insulation.
(ii) The live conductors are LV and are also rated PVC insulation covered and
their covering has been examined and found to be satisfactory.
(iii) The covering of all binders, line taps, clamps, preform terminations and
other fittings attached to the conductors is equally satisfactory.
(b) No electrical worker shall be on or supported by any crossarm while a conductor
supported by that crossarm is being run out or removed, or while a conductor is
being tensioned or released.
(c) The conductor drums or coils shall be under the control of an electrical worker.
They shall be positioned sufficiently far from the first pole, at least 40 metres
wherever possible on flat ground, to avoid excessive vertical loading on the
crossarm on which the conductor is being run and to prevent the loose-end flying
into a live conductor.
(d) A dry insulating hand line shall be attached to the conductor to pull or guide it
over the crossarm.
(e) The conductor shall be in sight for its full length and there shall be an agreed
method of signalling in order to stop pulling should a conductor foul an
obstruction or lift dangerously close to the live conductors.
(f) An effective method of temporarily earthing bare conductors at the drum or on
the crossarm of the first pole shall be arranged.
(g) Observers shall be stationed at intervals along the line and, where necessary,
they shall use a dry insulating hand line to prevent the new conductors
contacting a live conductor.
(h) All conductors being run under live HV lines shall be earthed immediately they
are terminated or held at one end, and before any attempt is made to tension the
conductor.
(i) With bare conductors, before cutting these clear from the drums and removing
the running earths, temporary earths shall be applied in the first span of
conductor from the drum.
(j) When tensioning heavy conductors under light HV conductors, care shall be
taken to ensure that termination or angle poles are well blocked or stayed to
prevent the pull on the heavy conductors either over tensioning the light
conductors or increasing the sag of the light conductors to bring them down on
the LV conductors. When tensioning light LV conductors under heavy HV
conductors, care shall be taken to ensure that the light conductors are not pulled
up into the heavy conductors.
(k) Care must be taken when removing conductors. When a conductor is being
taken down, it shall be anchored before being cut to avoid sudden release of
tension.
(l) Particular care should be taken when handling any conductor, such as winch
ropes, fencing wire, wires on the ground, etc, where there is a possibility of these
conductors contacting live conductors.
7. WORK ON OTHER LIVE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Where live LV work is to be carried out on equipment other than overhead line and
underground or surface mounted cable systems the following should be applied:
(a) Gloved hand and/or insulated tool, or insulated footwear or matting and/or
insulated tool techniques should be used to provide protection for the electrical
worker. It is recommended that the combination be used to provide added
protection against brush contact either by un-insulated tools or the worker.
(b) An assessment of the condition of conductor insulation or covering should be
carried out in planning where additional cover up may be required.
For the purpose of this requirement, the neutral conductor shall be regarded as a
live conductor.
(c) Secondary points of contact are to be identified including any exposed metal in
or adjacent the planned work area. All such points of contact that may present a
hazard during the live work should be covered up using rated covers, mats,
barriers, tubing etc.
(d) No two conductors may be bared at the same time (except for the purpose of
connecting them together) if one bare part can be reached while working on the
other. When work is completed on one conductor, it shall be re-insulated before
work is commenced on another.
(e) Before energising a conductor by connecting it to a live conductor, a check by
testing shall be made that it is safe to do so.
(f) When two electrical workers are working within reach of each other, they shall
not work on different phases or on a phase and a neutral, and tools shall not be
passed to a worker in contact with a live conductor. Electrical workers shall keep
clear of earthed metal such as telephone wires, stay wires, messenger wires,
cable potheads and sheaths, earth wires, transformer cases, metal brackets and
steel or concrete. Where it is not possible for a worker to keep a safe distance
from such earthed metal, insulating covers shall be applied to it.

Guide To Live LV Electrical Work (March 2005)

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15 March, 2005 Guides:\Guide to Live LV Electrical Work (March 2005) 1

Guide to Live LV Electrical Work

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