Climbing for the Utility

H

hesanarborist

This should probably go in the utility forum, but i feel i will get a better response here.

Anyone climb for the utility? How is it? I used to do line clearance in a bucket, but i have been offered a job climbing which would be a nice change of pace. I would be on distribution not transmition. This means Lower lines at lower voltage. plus the utility companys are the only ones that really pay in my area.

Any input is appreciated

thanks guys
 
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This means Lower lines at lower voltage.

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Just remember those lower voltages don't knock you away - they HOLD ON. Don't kid yourself by thinking it's any safer.

And good luck!


<font color="green">The TreeHouse</font>
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It will be t&amp;m work.

don't get me wrong, i understand the dangers of working around the lines, I've done it for many years, i was just pointing out it probably for the most part won't be as strenuous as climbing for transmition.

I will be working on the Western Mass Electric system, and some National Grid
 
What's the diff between dist. and trans? Trans is power lines and towers, dist. is wires up and down streets??
 
transmission lines carry bulk power from the power plant to the substations usually 200kv and up. distribution lines carry power to the end user, me and u. 4.5kv and up. make no mistake if u see non-insulated lines they will be 4500 volts or better. to a climber the only difference in one or the other is only how far the body has to fall cause u get into either one, you are done! green wood conducts believe it
 
I run a crew for orange, out here in Oregon. I have been on bucket as well as transmition. Climbing crews are not bad work. If your in a union all the better.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
This means Lower lines at lower voltage.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just remember those lower voltages don't knock you away - they HOLD ON. Don't kid yourself by thinking it's any safer.

And good luck!




Thats a good point, nice way to word it. All too often i hear "AAH it's just a house drop, you'll be fine" Sure!!!!


<font color="green">The TreeHouse</font>
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T&amp;M will be better than doing bid work for sure. It's alot more in your face working on dis. especially low voltage delta because it doesn't burn off the foliage like high voltage dis. Overall I think distribution is more dangerous because the trees are all over everything. At least where I work they are
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Transmission wires require a greater working distance between the worker and the actual line, distribution would be way closer. Also, distribution wires are generally not as well kept as transmission. Money is always thrown at transmission because it is a main feed and makes a lot more money than distribution circuits.
The construction and well-being of distribution circuits should be kept in mind also. You could be used to working on tranny circuits with 60' wood poles with large wire and now you have to clear a 4800 delta line on old poles with rotten cross arms. It all depends on how well kept the circuits are.

It'd be an interesting job, just soak up as much information as you can before you go there. Try and ask some of the workers you could be working with, they may be able to tell you more.
 
[ QUOTE ]
transmission lines carry bulk power from the power plant to the substations usually 200kv and up. distribution lines carry power to the end user, me and u. 4.5kv and up. make no mistake if u see non-insulated lines they will be 4500 volts or better. to a climber the only difference in one or the other is only how far the body has to fall cause u get into either one, you are done! green wood conducts believe it

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe anything 69Kv and above is Transmission.
 
Just had a friend have a limb lay on him and the 7.2kV line. left some nasty burns.
The working distance is greater on the transmission lines but the danger is in the lower volts, due to the fact that the tree is allowed to grow closer to the lines. I like working transmission better because I hardly ever have to mess with the lines. The tree is never allowed to get within 10 feet to start with.

Dont let the kV amount influence you on how safe you think you are. Dead wood will conduct as well.

adminj and BUK have the right idea.

When the boss comes around I always say, I'm going as safe as I can. Production will come, but I don't want to know when you need it done. It's done when it's done!
 
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