Author -
Submitted By -Coming Hot!
On a recent storm night our crew had a call to put back some #4AAAC that had hit the dirt (wire down). I went to the feed pole, or cutout pole and climbed into position to close the cutouts when the two linemen were completed and in the clear. The linemen descended the pole where they had put back the fallen conductor. I yelled out "Coming Hot!!!" and closed the first cutout, then the second cutout, and when I closed the Third cutout a huge arc occurred, about 3 feet in length. I was confused because the 3 cutouts were closed and here was this arc. I did not have the shot gun in the ring of the cutout door, therefore I was looking into a 12kV arc trying desperately to find the ring so I could open the cutout (the cutouts were Load Break) it was difficult to see. I heard a click noise, I have no idea what it was but when I heard it I let go of the shot gun and ducked under my hardhat as much as I could. As son as I ducked the pole top exploded all cutouts blew and a huge flash occurred. 4 seconds after I closed the 3rd cutout I disappeared in a phase to phase fault explosion. The crew concerned for my safety was yelling and asking if I was alright!, I quickly replied "Yes I'm alright!" Now that the lights were off again I checked to see what the heck happened--- I saw on the center cutout the low side jumper broke off from the hot clamp. I was picking up an estimated 300 - 500 customers. When that jumper broke the load did not want to go out causing and huge ball of fire. In other words I had 12kV out of control just above me. We have a dangerous job! which can be done safely, sometimes the unexpected reminds of that. Be safe my brothers.