Author -
Submitted By -KNOW YOUR EQUIPMENT
I was working inside a 115kv substation last year doing some upgrade work (adding two new 115 kv circuit switchers and a new transformer and buss). The journeyman was instructed to phase across the new equipment. He was unfamiliar with that type of phasing sticks. He assembled them and tested all three phases to ground. Tested OK at 69kv. Testing of the 115kv was next. BOOM!!!!! The phasing stick were to have the voltage limiting resistors to test phase to phase voltages of 115kv. No one was hurt but the phasing sticks were toast. Moral of the story is if you aren't confident in your equipment or are unsure of their operation READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!! It could mean your life.