Working hot again topic

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We all work "hot" sometimes. If we're smart we avoid doing so as much as possible. Old electricians get to be old by rarely being bold.
 
maybe it is time to convince the owners to install a new feeder over to the location.

I bet he would rather be able to make the walk, do the talk than be bedridden with injuries that are so painful, he could only dream of the walk.
 
If I can shut down the power before working on it, I do. If I am replacing a light switch in a single and maybe a double gang box I will work it hot, but since we have to ground our switches and the ground is usually bare,, I wont chance working more that 2 hot.
I have worked some 220/v hot, but very slowley and being cautious.
I wont work 3 phase hot

I have worked with people who are scared of electricity, or go at it "guns blazing".
I have seen these folks get shocked quite a few times.
I have always told people to always check for voltage before working on it and to always turn it off if they are not sure if they can work it safely
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
maybe it is time to convince the owners to install a new feeder over to the location.
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That was funny but I also think it has some truth to it as well.:smile:

From the manufacturers, to the engineers to those of us in the field installing the equipment we all have to start thinking about how we can easily service it safely in the future.
 
Working hot again topic

Guys,

Really don't mean to sound cynical, but have any of you ever done line work.

VR
Wayne
 
I've heard of some lame excuses for not turning the power off, but it's too long a walk is really stretching it. I've been in facilities that were over 1.2 million square feet and everyone turns off the power no matter how far they have to walk.

70E is very specific as to when a circuit can be worked on energized, being lazy is not one of them. If he gets hurt, he will have plenty of time to wish he could walk to the bathroom when the urge comes instead of having someone wheel him in, or even worse have someone empty the bag.
 
twayne said:
Guys,

Really don't mean to sound cynical, but have any of you ever done line work.
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That is entirely different and the OSHA rules reflect that.

It is a whole lot different working with a relatively low fault current high voltage conductor out in the open then dealing with a very high fault current conductor in an enclosed space. One is like a bomb the other is not.
 
Hit the nail on the head

Hit the nail on the head

richxtlc said:
70E is very specific as to when a circuit can be worked on energized, being lazy is not one of them. If he gets hurt, he will have plenty of time to wish he could walk to the bathroom when the urge comes instead of having someone wheel him in, or even worse have someone empty the bag.
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Couldnt have said it any better myself!
 
be honest guys how many of you have worked hot? im not talking about landing feeders of anything like that but say tying into a j-box or landing circuits in a panel. im sure ill get ripped for this but i have, do and will continue to. dont get me wrong when its a feasable option i will shut down what im working on, but the truth of the matter is many times in the real world we cant always do that. imho thats what sets us apart and makes us electricians, the knowledge and skills to be able to safely work on energized systems, and the experience and understanding to know when its not safe.

feel free to let the comments fly:cool:
 
mattsilkwood said:
be honest guys how many of you have worked hot? im not talking about landing feeders of anything like that but say tying into a j-box or landing circuits in a panel.
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So there I am, landing 20 amp branch circuits in a panel located close to the transformer and I accidental let a piece of 12 AWG short out the phases.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iClXrd50Z8

(BTW, it is better turned up with a sub woofer.)


Do what you want but stuff does happen and burns are painful.
 
iwire said:
So there I am, landing 20 amp branch circuits in a panel located close to the transformer and I accidental let a piece of 12 AWG short out the phases.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iClXrd50Z8

(BTW, it is better turned up with a sub woofer.)


Do what you want but stuff does happen and burns are painful.
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thats why you tape the end of each conductor and work one wire at a time.

seriously bob you have never worked hot?
 
mattsilkwood said:
thats why you tape the end of each conductor and work one wire at a time.
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It's called an accident, they do happen, sometimes due to another guys work.

seriously bob you have never worked hot?
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seriously matt .... of course, many times and some of the times it was pretty stupid. Usually just showing off by ultimate electrical skills.

Now I really ask myself what could possibly make me want to make my two kids fatherless or maybe still have a Dad that can no longer earn a living. :smile:

Carry on, we will all work how we choose to. :smile:
 
iwire said:
That is entirely different and the OSHA rules reflect that.

It is a whole lot different working with a relatively low fault current high voltage conductor out in the open then dealing with a very high fault current conductor in an enclosed space. One is like a bomb the other is not.
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Not trying to get technical, but not all line work is high voltage and both can be equally dangerous. Be it from a tanformer in the room down the hall or the pole pig at the curb. Both can go off like a grenade. (Just did not want it to seem any safer to the casual observer)
 
e57 said:
Not trying to get technical, but not all line work is high voltage and both can be equally dangerous. Be it from a tanformer in the room down the hall or the pole pig at the curb. Both can go off like a grenade. (Just did not want it to seem any safer to the casual observer)
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We will have to remain in disagreement on it then.

There is a reason why OSHA treats the two jobs differently and I do not believe it is because line persons are expendable.
 
I normally hear all the arguments for working hot from people who have ten fingers and toes. They normally think it can't happen to them.

I have a lifelong friend who has two fingers, on his left hand, and a greatly reduced ankle. Lost a hot wire (12.5) in a hot stick and it hit him. He did another five years in the trade before retiring. Ugly price to pay for just doing his job.

So when your out there, and can't resist the urge to "work it hot" For whatever reason you use to justify it, can your body cover the checks your head wrote? Life is full of choices, choose wisely.
 
iwire said:
We will have to remain in disagreement on it then.

There is a reason why OSHA treats the two jobs differently and I do not believe it is because line persons are expendable.
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Sorry you'll have to elaborate and get technical.... As I see it the load sides of either transformer at the same KVA and voltage, danger matters not on its location - distance being one limiting factor....
 
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