[CQ-Contest] Generators..Don't kill Your Lineman!

[Robert W5AJ]

Stop.
A lineman must ALWAYS consider a wire live until:
1.  He has proven it dead (hot stick, etc.)
2.  Installed ground straps.
(and some local polices only allow working between ground strap
installations)

Any lineman touching an unknown wire without proper PPE
is in violation of the code.  (70E)
(PPE= Personal protective equipment like HV gloves, 
flash suits, etc.)

All linemen/electricians must be trained on NFPA 70E (1995 version) 
which is the
standard for electrical safety.  I have heard in the past week more
electricians saying they are qualified because
they've done electrical for the past 20+ years.  
They must be retrained in safety on annual basis 
and none interviewed had - a dangerous
message as I hear it.

Don't say it's the homeowner.  The wire must be
"considered energized until proven otherwise".  
That's direct from NFPA 70E.

Transfer switches perform important function of insuring the 
unsync'd generator is not placed on a hot buss and .......
The safety of the lineman is in his hands, he would never trust his
life that the homeowner (or business) had not backfeed the grid.

Robert W5AJ

(when working on your amp!  check & ground, a contest thought)
This is not to lessen properly installing per code your
generator switch.  It's just not "the" safety rule
in the linemen discussion.  Probably protects you from civil suit
most of all.


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