How to remove this tree?

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Tod....Norm.....how excited would you get working around 3 phases of 44kv?

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That's some serious voltage! I wooda walked away as well.

The most I've ever worked around was 34kV, to a sub station, from the ground (no climbing). This was still under the direct supervision of the power company supervisor. Workin around 7.2kV primaries is freaky enough.
 
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Oh, so in Norm's first pic the very top wire is an uncoated 2400v



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The primary was coated at one time, with a braided cotton cover, then coated with a light asphalt spray. The coating has worn off. The primary is copper (an old system). It probably is 2.4kV, but could be as high as 4kV.
The second wire is the 'secondary'. It is what we call "tri-plex", two hot wires and a neutral. Each 'hot' wire carries 110 volts and 200 amps. The secondaries are what supply the user. You can see in the pic, the 2 smaller diameter lines, at the pole, going off to the right are supplying the client and neighbor. Those are called 'service' lines.
The lowest wire, on the pole, is the phone communications line.
 
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Am I understanding this correctly; the load line and ball or climber can approach the wire closer than the 3 meters (10ft) from above when the lines are insulated? The min. distance must be adhered to from below the wires?WP

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The hook can get as close as 28". We will keep the hook at least 3 feet away and won't go below the primary. All lifts of the spar will be done with 5/8" Amsteel. Amsteel doesn't absorb water and is extremely di-electric. I figure the spar will take 4 cuts to get it to near ground level.
 
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The approach distance is the same between 750 and 150,000 volts for unqualified persons like you and I.

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In the USA, it is between 750V and 15.0kV (2'4"/28" clearance).
Anything to 300 volts is avoid contact.
301V to 750V is 13" clearance.
 
allright , now I get a clearer picture of what the tree is about . The safest way to do this tree is to have the power shut off . It will get done , because you guys are pros , but the condition of the tree is enough to worry about . I guess the homeowner can't live with no power for half of a day . Neighbors driveway , crane , dead cracked tree and hot lines near the tree . Have at it . The only thing that could be worse if you were doing it for free .
 
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The safest way to do this tree is to have the power shut off .

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Totally agree 110%!!!

To greatly reduce the risk of death or serious injury to the people involved in this tree removal, shutting down the power has to be the only option re electricity lines.

If a climber dies due to lines not been shut down then we have our priorities all wrong.
 
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The climber can easily maintain a 3 foot clearance at all times. We have dealt with rubbered energized lines before and have experience working around them.

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If George W. Bush, still acting as president of the USA was to decide to distmantle this tree, do you think his bodyguards would have the powerlines shut down?

Of course they would.

See my point?
 
I've dealt with all kinds of live wires too , but if something were to happen , and knock the wires down , rubberize all you want , they're coming down hot . So taking the trees down while the wires are hot , yet covered is a calculated risk . A risk that the power company and the salesperson accepts. All the tree person has to do is make the right cuts , have the right crane and operator , and he'll get a "pat on the back and an atta boy" . All for what ? for who? gimme a break (er) shut the power off and let everyone work safe . A Climber should get double pay for the rubber and straight pay if they cut the power . Power companies have plenty of money , don't do them any favors .
 
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A Climber should get double pay for the rubber and straight pay if they cut the power .

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A Climber should not get danger money as this negates responsibilty from the power company.
The power should be shut down.

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Power companies have plenty of money , don't do them any favors .

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Massive annual profits, billions, and there you are, just a tree climber afterall, risking your life with some pathetic rubber between you and death.
 
It isn't really some pathetic rubber.
The line hose and blankets are what power linemen use everyday when working hot.
It's really very specialized stuff that is rated for maximum phase to phase voltage and has to be tested every 60 days.
 
No disrespect intended to Norm Hall , I respect this man . I just think that the power company should respect us a little bit more . I 've done a few Amtrack Contracts , where shutting off the power was more important than redirecting the trains and I was impressed . To me , lines that close need attention . I took down a pretty good size Red Maple today and it was within ten feet , bare ,I always think about the dangers . I
will never understand why all wires aren't coated. I' have just seen cranes fail , climbers fail , limbs fail , so what is the big deal to kill the power ?
 
What I was referring to as "Rubberring the line" is the heavy rubber insulation that the power providers cover the wires with which is an insulator(these are installed so work can be performed near the line).The weather proofing is the thin rubber coating on some lines.I think the main thing is to follow the approach distances as specified in the Z133.1.Those of us who are Line Clearance Certified can work closer to the lines but can also get just as dead as the guy who isn't Line Clearance Certified.With that said I think skill and experience along with certification needs to be considered.And...with that said the experience of the crew.If I'm going to do a job that is in close proximatey of energized lines I wash the booms the day before and in the case of my Hi-Ranger(with the sealed upper boom) I check the crystals and if necessary remove and bake them and reseal the cartridge.Also remember to keep the crew clear of the truck while the boom is close to the wires.I mention this as we must remember that when we have our booms dielctric tested it's really only that good when the test is done.Even a light coating of dust on the boom can potentially conduct electricity.My Hi-Ranger was originally built as a 69KV unit but is regularly tested at 80KV and the company that tests it tells me that if I was to drive it to their facility(verses being inspected and tested in my yard)that they would run 100KV through it!
 
For those interested ACRT offers a Line Clearance Arborist Certification class http://www.acrtinc.com/Line_Clearance.html you can also buy the manual and study it for your own use or use it to do a home study certification.You can buy the manual or register for the class by calling Lois Tennant at 800-622-2562 ext. 240.I first took this course 10 years ago and have returned to take it several times since(you can renew it each year with out returning to their facility) and it has been a GREAT source of knowledge.As a matter of fact they have a class coming up at the end of this month(I'll be there to recertify) for those interested, and it's worth 40 CEU's.
I believe TCIA also has a line clearance tree trimmer program but I haven't taken it but maybe some of the other 'buzzer's have and can attest to it.
 
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