The Right Tools in The Right Hands
Published in: Transmission & Distribution World
Date: 12/1/2005
By: Gary Updegraff
I became an apprentice in 1979, and topped out in 1984. I worked in construction for about 10 years, and ended up working for the City of Colton in California, where I have worked for more than 18 years.
Colton is located about 60 miles (97 km) east of Los Angeles and has about 18,000 meters. With an area of approximately 20 sq miles, we peak at about 80+ MW in the summer. We have our own natural gas-fired peaker plant and are trying to become the biggest little city on the West Coast.
The technology that goes into the tools is where I have seen some of the biggest changes during my time as a lineman It seemed that 25 years ago, linemen were high-tech if they had a couple of speed wrenches and a digital voltmeter. These days, they need a cell phone, lap top computer, digital camera, or some high-tech gadget that will do all of those functions and be wireless to boot.
Tools from the Space Age
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to operate today’s tools, but it might help. The cartridge-activated cutting tool line, which I use every day to cut or spike the wire, is a good example. The City of Colton has acquired these new technological tools to keep us ahead in the 21st century. The cartridge-actuated cutting tools were actually developed by a team of aerospace engineers retired from the missile and space programs. These engineers literally were rocket scientists. They designed the rocket-motor arming devices, warhead arming devices and cartridge-actuated cutters for nine different guided missiles used by the United States Air Force and Navy.
After they retired, they designed and developed a set of tools that are powered by a 38-caliber blank cartridge to drive the cutting blades. Their company, CACT-CO Inc. (Cartridge Activated Cutting Tools), is now building tools that will easily cut crossarm bolts, guy wire, ACSR up to 2156, and underground cable. The tools will also remotely spike and cut underground cables in order to confirm that the cables are de-energized. The cut cables can then be spliced with minimal deformation to the cables. They are reasonably priced, lightweight and need no extension cords, generator or hydraulic pumps or hoses.
A Tool for One Hand
CACT-CO designed its cartridge-activated cutting tools ergonomically to make a line worker’s job easier. A lineman only needs one hand to operate the tools, compared to scissor-type cable cutters, which require both hands. This makes it easier for linemen to lean out from a bucket or pole when cutting a cable and still maintain their balance, remaining secure. Sometimes there isn’t enough room to accommodate the spreading of a ratchet cutter while putting the head of the cutter around the conductor. The one-handed, cartridge-activated cutting tool also gives the line worker an extra hand to control conductor tails when making cuts.
Southern California Edison (SCE) has approved the new cutters and currently has 152 tools being used by 16 different divisions. Johnny Rodriguez, SCE tool coordinator, said, “SCE has not had any accidents with the cartridge-activated cutting tools and will continue to use them.”
The one-handed operation feature is also a big advantage when rubber gloving. It can reduce the second point of contact that a lineman might experience between a phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground potential. Furthermore, the one-handed operation gives the line worker’s pole partner added room to reach up into the work area to help control the whipping conductors. Because they are lightweight, a lineman can be on a pole for hours at a time without getting worn out. Anything that can make a lineman’s job easier and safer is a benefit.
Infrared Scanning
Another technology I became hooked on after seeing the “Predator” movies is infrared imaging. It is just amazing how many different things there are for which you can use infrared scanning. It’s not just used for bad connections, transformers and leaks in door seals, we use it to see if the heaters are working in the electric cabinets.
I was fortunate enough to receive some excellent training from FLIR Systems Boston Inc. (North Billerica, Massachusetts), a leader in thermography and predictive maintenance programs, using their infrared cameras. I also have given infrared presentations at Snell Infrared’s (Montpelier, Vermont) conferences, where I received training and eventually became a Level II Thermographer.
This is another example of how the City of Colton has used technology tools to move its electric service into the next century. I currently get an infrared camera through Western Area Power Administration’s (WAPA’s; Lakewood, Colorado) loan program. We are able to get the camera on loan for three weeks at a time or longer if needed. Richard Burnkrant, WAPA’s energy services program manager, has been most helpful to the utility. I am able to receive the camera usually within a month or two from of my request. To take full advantage of the loan period, I try to scan an area where we are experiencing trouble or use the camera to scan the substations and the power plant. This is an excellent way to try a camera before buying it, and to see what issues there might be with the reporting software. Utilities around the world are using infrared thermography to avoid costly failures, improve service reliability and prevent electrical fires.
To hear my father tell it, he would say, “A good lineman could get it done with a hand line and canteen.” That is still true to today, but just think how long it has been since we had to do anything the way our fathers or grandfathers did. We get so spoiled with our line trucks, hot arms, hot hoist, bucket trucks, and all our gadgets like the cartridge-activated tools. But, don’t get me wrong, I love all the technology and how it makes it easier for us to get our job done. However, I say please, let’s not get lazy. When we start taking short cuts, that’s when someone is going to get hurt. Work smart and stay safe.
Gary Updegraff is line crew supervisor for the City of Colton, California Public Utilities Electric Department, where he has been employed since 1987. gupdegraff@ci.colton.ca.us
MY EARLY YEARS
I am a second-generation lineman from IBEW Local #47. When I was five years old, I started hanging out with my father while he was at work. At 11, I was on one of the 500-kV transmission lines that ran from the Boulder Dam in Nevada into the Los Angeles area. My father was on a clipping crew, which is to say that after the wire was pulled in, he attached the wire to the insulator. I kept bugging my father until he finally talked the pilot into giving me a helicopter ride. The ride didn’t turn out quite like I had planned. A component similar to the power-steering pump malfunctioned, making the helicopter extremely difficult to fly. Fortunately, the pilot had just returned from a tour of duty in Vietnam and was able to make the malfunction seem uneventful. Needless to say, I will never forget my first helicopter ride.
I also will never forget my climb on a 115-kV H structure the following winter. After about a week of circling the bottom of the pole, my father let me climb up and help him land the cross members. The whole time I was up the pole, he kept telling me to let go and hand him bolts or tighten them up or get stuff off the hand line. Of course, my legs were shaking and my back was killing me. He didn’t even want to hear that, so I stuck it out until we finished the pole.
After that, I was ready for whatever it took to be a lineman.
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