ecp_46_ 2003_high_voltage_live_line_work

1.2 INTERPRETATION

The kinds of work listed above must be carried out using safe procedures and associated equipment designed specifically for the purpose.

1.2.1 Approved – means certified by the Service Provider as complying with the requirements of this code.

1.2.2 Asset Manager - means an organisation responsible and accountable for the equipment to be worked on. An Asset Manager may also be a Service Provider.

1.2.3 Bonded - means conductors and or fittings are connected together in such a manner as to ensure that they are at the same electrical potential.

1.2.4 De-Energised – means disconnected from all sources of supply but not necessarily isolated, tested and earthed.

1.2.5 Earthed – means effectively connected to the general mass of earth.

1.2.6 High-Voltage – means any voltage exceeding 1000 V a.c. or 1500 V d.c.

1.2.7 Insulating Elevating Work Platform (Insulating EWP) – means an approved and tested insulated aerial device.

1.2.8 Insulating Rope – means standard commercial grade synthetic rope that is tested and manufactured to ensure good insulating properties but should not be intentionally placed across phase to phase or phase to earth air gaps.

1.2.9 Live (or Alive or Energised) – means connected to a source of electrical supply.

1.2.10 Live Line Rope – means rope that is specially designed, manufactured, tested and maintained so as to have very high insulating qualities and may be intentionally placed across phase to phase or phase to earth air gaps.

1.2.11 Live Line Equipment – means all live line tools, rope, gloves and insulating equipment used for live line work.

1.2.12 Live Line Minimum Approach Distance (Live Line MAD) – means the minimum air gap that shall be maintained between a lineworker and any other component at different potential during live line work, in order to prevent flashover and provide for worker safety.

1.2.13 Live Line Permit – means a permit issued by the system controller or equivalent to verify to a live line work party that the control measures are in place on the circuit being worked on and to authorise work.

1.2.14 Live Line Stick (also called Hot Stick) – means a solid or filled stick of insulating material specially designed, approved and tested for use in physically bridging the distance between;

(a) the lineworker and energised components; or

(b) the energised components and earth; or

(c) adjacent phases; or

(d) to enable physical loads to be taken or tools to be applied.

1.2.15 Live Line Work – means any high voltage work performed under approved procedures inside the minimum approach distance (MAD), on or near components of a line capable of being energised to high voltage without implementing the full protective practice of isolating, proving de-energised and earthing.

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THE ELECTRICITY ACT 1992

Approval of the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for High Voltage Live Line Work 2003 (NZECP 46:2003)

Pursuant to section 38 of the Electricity Act 1992, I hereby approve the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Live line Work 2003 (NZECP 46:2003) which comprises three parts:

ECP46.1: Glove and Barrier

ECP46.2: Barehand

ECP46.3: Stick

The New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Live Line Work 2003 (NZECP 46.2003) was issued by the Manager, Standards and Safety, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, acting under delegated authority (pursuant to section 41 of the State Sector Act 1998) from the Chief Executive, Ministry of Economic Development on the 12^th day of October 2001.

Dated this 19^th day of March, 2003

Hon Harry Duynhoven

Associate Minister of Energy

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COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION

This Code of Practice was prepared by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, in consultation with the following:

Members of the ECP46 Working Party

Electricity Engineers' Association of NZ (Inc) (EEA)

Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU)

Electrical Workers Licensing Group

Rail and Maritime Transport Union

The support of the Electricity Supply Association of Australia (ESAA) is also acknowledged.

REVIEW

This Code of practice will be revised as occasions arise. Suggestions for improvements of this Code are welcome. They should be sent to the Manager, Standards and Safety, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, PO Box 1473, Wellington.

OVERVIEW

This part of the Electrical Code of Practice for High Voltage Live Line work is in two Sections. Section 1 covers the general requirements for all live line techniques whilst Section 2 relates to the specific requirements for Glove and Barrier work.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.1 SCOPE	5
1.2 INTERPRETATION	6
1.3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO ALL TECHNIQUES	8
1.3.1 Minimum Standards and Responsibilities	8
1.3.2 Electric and Magnetic Fields	8
1.3.3 Work Techniques and Procedures	8
1.3.4 Personnel Selection, Training, Certification, Records and Maintenance of Competency	9
1.3.5 Equipment	13
1.3.6 Safety Observer	16
1.3.7 Work Considerations	16
1.3.8 Procedures in the Event of an Accident	18
1.3.9 General Work Practices	18
1.4 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CATEGORIES OF LIVE LINE WORK	21
1.4.1 Theory/Standards	21
1.4.2 Work Site Management and Participation	21
1.4.3 Practical Skills	21
2.1 GENERAL	22
2.2 DEFINITIONS SPECIFIC TO THIS SECTION	22
2.3 CONCEPTS	22
2.4 APPROACH DISTANCES	23
2.5 WORK TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES	23
2.5.1 Combination Glove and Barrier and Stick Methods	23
2.6 EQUIPMENT	23
2.6.1 Cranes and Crane Insulation	23
2.6.2 Insulating Elevating Work Platforms (Insulating EWPs)	24
2.6.3 Insulating Gloves and Sleeves	24
2.6.4 Insulating Covers	25
2.6.5 Insulating Platforms	25
2.6.6 Temporary Dropout Tools	26
2.6.7 Temporary Insulated Jumpers	26
2.6.8 Proof Test/Use Voltage Relationship	26
2.6.9 Rating/Use Voltage Relationship	26
2.6.10 Testing	27
2.7 WORK CONSIDERATIONS	27
2.7.1 Integrity of Insulation	27
2.8 GENERAL WORK PRACTICES	28
2.8.1 Insulating Barriers	28
2.9 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR LIVE LINE GLOVE AND BARRIER WORK	29
APPENDIX A	31

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SECTION 1: SCOPE, INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1 SCOPE

1.1.1 This Code sets out the minimum industry standards for high voltage live line work. The principles may be enhanced or supplemented, provided this does not result in reduced safety standards.

1.1.2 This Code applies to all work undertaken on live high voltage overhead lines using approved procedures, tools and equipment, and by persons holding the minimum competencies detailed under this Code. Other work on live high voltage overhead lines including, but not limited to, operating, is not covered by the Code.

1.1.3 This Code does not constitute a live line training manual, nor does it set down live line work procedures. These procedures should be developed in accordance with the principles in this Code.

1.1.4 The objectives of this Code are:

(a) To ensure the safety of electrical workers and the general public.

(b) To specify the minimum standards for equipment required for live line work.

1.1.5 Equipment not specifically designed for a live line method shall not be used.

1.1.6 Throughout this Code:

(c) The word "shall" is to be interpreted as mandatory.

(d) "Should" is to be interpreted as advisory or discretionary.

(e) Reference to lineworker unless specifically notified shall refer to a certificated live line mechanic.

1.1.7 While the principles of live line work contained in this Code have been written around work on overhead lines, the concepts may be equally applicable to work in other areas such as substation equipment, when combined with other appropriate training and work controls.

1.1.8 This Code does not substitute or override any regulation or legislation.

1.1.9 This Code does not apply to the following kinds of work:

(a) The operation of fuses and the changing of the fuse elements;

(b) The operation of isolators and switches;

(c) The taking of electrical measurements;

(d) The measurement of distances;

(e) The phasing of conductors and fittings;

(f) The checking and testing of insulator strings;

(g) The removal of impediments on lines;

(h) The greasing of fittings.

(i) Traction live line work under 2,000 volts d.c.

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1.2 INTERPRETATION

The kinds of work listed above must be carried out using safe procedures and associated equipment designed specifically for the purpose.

1.2.1 Approved – means certified by the Service Provider as complying with the requirements of this code.

1.2.2 Asset Manager - means an organisation responsible and accountable for the equipment to be worked on. An Asset Manager may also be a Service Provider.

1.2.3 Bonded - means conductors and or fittings are connected together in such a manner as to ensure that they are at the same electrical potential.

1.2.4 De-Energised – means disconnected from all sources of supply but not necessarily isolated, tested and earthed.

1.2.5 Earthed – means effectively connected to the general mass of earth.

1.2.6 High-Voltage – means any voltage exceeding 1000 V a.c. or 1500 V d.c.

1.2.7 Insulating Elevating Work Platform (Insulating EWP) – means an approved and tested insulated aerial device.

1.2.8 Insulating Rope – means standard commercial grade synthetic rope that is tested and manufactured to ensure good insulating properties but should not be intentionally placed across phase to phase or phase to earth air gaps.

1.2.9 Live (or Alive or Energised) – means connected to a source of electrical supply.

1.2.10 Live Line Rope – means rope that is specially designed, manufactured, tested and maintained so as to have very high insulating qualities and may be intentionally placed across phase to phase or phase to earth air gaps.

1.2.11 Live Line Equipment – means all live line tools, rope, gloves and insulating equipment used for live line work.

1.2.12 Live Line Minimum Approach Distance (Live Line MAD) – means the minimum air gap that shall be maintained between a lineworker and any other component at different potential during live line work, in order to prevent flashover and provide for worker safety.

1.2.13 Live Line Permit – means a permit issued by the system controller or equivalent to verify to a live line work party that the control measures are in place on the circuit being worked on and to authorise work.

1.2.14 Live Line Stick (also called Hot Stick) – means a solid or filled stick of insulating material specially designed, approved and tested for use in physically bridging the distance between;

(a) the lineworker and energised components; or

(b) the energised components and earth; or

(c) adjacent phases; or

(d) to enable physical loads to be taken or tools to be applied.

1.2.15 Live Line Work – means any high voltage work performed under approved procedures inside the minimum approach distance (MAD), on or near components of a line capable of being energised to high voltage without implementing the full protective practice of isolating, proving de-energised and earthing.

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