[Luke Johnson]

But electricity can arc or jump metres, so it could jump inside or outside the insulated section. You said yourself not to go within any distance of a live wire, because it can jump!

[Jeff Brimble]

So I did !
Right so it can jump, I thought about one metre, in the states they say 2 yards so having an insulated 6ft-8ft base section is by itself no use either ?
I am just trying to lay some ground rules for when to use a conducting pole and ist seems that the safe answer is never ?

[jeff1]

So I did !
Right so it can jump, I thought about one metre, in the states they say 2 yards so having an insulated 6ft-8ft base section is by itself no use either ?
I am just trying to lay some ground rules for when to use a conducting pole and ist seems that the safe answer is never ?

Jeff as I just said on the other thread the chances of being electrocuted are very slim indeed, this is all procautionary measures.

The measuring poles that BT use, I also have one, I have also been lead to believe that H&S have susspended the use of these measuring poles until further investigations have been completed because of the chance of electrocution.
Is your pole the brown one they use??

[pjulk]

You can insulate your pole but if your pole is wet the insulation will not work.

Paul

[Davew]

Thanks for replying everyone. This subject rarely seems to rear it's ugly head on this forum which I find very odd. Having been self taught and only picking up tips from this forum it never really occured to me the danger just waiting out there. Being rather naive I thought the only danger was from the rather obvious pylons that run through the countryside!! I have contacted several overhead wires in my short time with wfp time to re-acess my working practices I think!!!!!

[matt]

You can insulate your pole but if your pole is wet the insulation will not work.

Paul

exactly, pointless insulating the pole when you have water running down it

[Jeff Brimble]

Jeff, I have their brown one which is made of thin wall glass fibre, I mainly use a 4ft sectioned tapered telescopic glass fibre to 18ft-21ft and a Carbon modular F16 for higher work.

[jeff1]

You can insulate your pole but if your pole is wet the insulation will not work.

Paul

Very true paul, but with the gauntlet gloves there on about and the chainmail vests, we have the poles all's we need now is the horse, and its the knights of the round table
I was enjoying these topics but I have to get ready to go out and see my Boss, but will look in later.

[jeff1]

Jeff, I have their brown one which is made of thin wall glass fibre, I mainly use a 4ft sectioned tapered telescopic glass fibre to 18ft-21ft and a Carbon F16 for higher work.

Thats the one I have Jeff almost splits by looking at it?
But thats the one I have been told about, being put on hold, I'll try to find out a little more about it.

[kiral1404]

Overhead Power Line

The commonest lines you'll come into contact with is 240v single phase can be insulated normally black. Older wire is uninsulated copper cable looks greenish.

Trace the cable back to the main pole you should see between 3 to 5 cables depending on the network and where you are in the country.

These are 415v 3 phase sometimes they have a HV wires above (11,000v) rare but does happen.

These poles are generally BT pole size.

The next size up are 11kV upto 132kV larger wooden poles some areas metal poles / frames.

If you see these you'll likely be in the sticks edge of town etc. They do pass through towns but your gonna have to be stupid to hit one.

The wooden bit someone mentioned is no good, what they are called are paramelli inserts. (Look like wood).

These are used on earthing sets. The sections are glass fibre about 5' / 6' and have this insert near
 the bottom they are modular and very heavy def no good for wfp.

That is a brief description of overhead lines.

Above all else play safe don't go near them they may be insulated but you don't know the integrity of the insulation until it's too late.

As for arcing across yes they can but 3' on a LV service is unlikely but not impossible. Pure water should not conduct electricity but would you risk it!

PS Low voltage systems carry a far greater current hence a potential flashover will really do you some harm.

Darren
 Ex High Voltage Fitter

[Davew]

Perhaps we should post some images on here for all to see to give us all some idea of whats about.

[Jeff Brimble]

Hi Daren and folks, just bought a apir of Electricians Gloves designed for electrical purposes and comply with IEC 60903:2002 and EN60903:2003 straight out of the bag. Hope thats OK.
 
What does bother me though is that I got them to work on the main street where I live etc and then the guy starts talking about the number of signage I need to actually stand on the road surface and the application forms to fill in(footpath is ok if I have PL ins.) . But I guess thats a seperate issue.

[Davew]

Whilst we are on the subject of electrocution - would it be feasable to clean those large signs outside of petrol stations with wfp? anyone here do it?

[jouk45]

You can insulate your pole but if your pole is wet the insulation will not work.

Paul

exactly, pointless insulating the pole when you have water running down it

matt, is right, i think if a rubber product was made like this, but make the hole size and fitted to the top of the base of the pole
it could stop the water flowing down the pole, eliminating any chance of electrocution, just a thought,

[twt]

so the waters just going to get to the rubber on the pole and stop! i dont think so  its just gonna flow over it

[jouk45]

yes true, but the pole is always at an angle, the rubber guard could have a long spout moulded into it
so the water is directed away from you, as i said just a thought 

[Luke Johnson]

Jeff Brimble, did you get those gloves from the place I suggested?