Innovative new live line tool and framing designs

Abstract

In many cases insulators are mounted to distribution and transmission line pole cross-arms. Existing cross-arm materials such as wood, steel and fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) are showing signs of deterioration. In some cases, these cross-arm materials can be extremely heavy and difficult to handle or transport into remote access line locations. The Totally Insulated Framing (TIF) Systems recently developed offer a new approach when replacing the traditional cross-arm designs. The new TIF systems overcome the disadvantages of cross-arms, they are lightweight and provide benefits that include increased framing life cycle and improved safety. The new designs can also offer increased vertical ground clearances, allow use of shorter poles or increased power line operating capacity while also reducing Right-Of-Way (ROW) width requirements. Many utilities involved in extensive transmission line cross-arm replacements find it necessary to conduct this work using live line methods. Line crews are discovering that the equipment available to support the conductors during the change out have mechanical strength and other limitations. The recently introduced K-ARM system was developed to overcome these restrictions efficiently, effectively and safely. These live line “tool kits” offers advantages previously unavailable with other alternative equipment.