Hot sticks are long poles with interchangeable heads used by utility workers to protect themselves from electric shock while performing tasks on energized power lines. They can also be used to detect voltage and determine if a line is de-energized. Safety measures and proper storage are important.
A hot stick is a tool that people can use to get around an energized power line to protect themselves from electric shock while performing utility tasks. This tool can also be used for safety when the power status of a line is not known. It consists of a long pole with interchangeable heads, allowing people to swap tools in and out as they need to. First responders and line crews for telephone, television and cable companies all use hot sticks in their work and they are available through a number of companies. The typical construction is fiberglass, as fiberglass is an excellent insulator and does not conduct electricity along the length of the device.
Sometimes there are situations where people have to work directly on an energized line. Using the hot stick, they can manipulate the line or settings on devices surrounding it with tools that they attach to the end of the tool. Hot sticks are often telescoping, allowing people to adjust the length of the pole to suit their needs. For close-range work, it can help shorten the device, while in other cases, people can extend the hot stick to reach at a distance.
In other situations, the state of the line may not be clear. For security reasons, people cannot rely on reports that a line is down. In a situation where people are responding to emergencies such as fallen trees downing electricity poles or an automobile accident involving power lines, the system should automatically shut down, and people can request a manual shutdown. Technicians still have to approach with a hot stick, just in case. They can use the device to detect voltage and determine if the line is truly de-energized.
People receive training on how to use the hot stick along with any accessories. There are a number of safety procedures people must follow whenever working with power lines because the danger can be significant. If someone accidentally restores power to a line while a crew is working on it, it could cause serious injury or death. Safety measures such as wearing protective clothing and using hot sticks to avoid handling lines directly are sometimes required by law and are certainly good practice even in environments where they are not.
It’s important to store hot sticks safely to avoid problems like chips and cracks. People will usually inspect their tools before starting work for damage, and in some cases, workers are responsible for keeping track of the condition of their equipment.
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