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A number of years ago, our company was called from NE Pa to assist Northeast Utilities with restoration in the Madison area of southern Connecticut. After getting our instructions and precautions, we were asked if we would like to have a two man crew with bucket truck from Hinkle and McCoy assist us. Sure, why not, we could use them for tree and limb removal if nothing else. Our first job was a three phase line protected by three open air disconnects fused at 200 amps. Believe me, we checked every pole and insulator as best we could, but found nothing. It was time for the "test". Ben, a tall and lanky lineman with H&McC volunteered to refuse the switches and close them for test. You could hear the sigh of relief from everyone of our guys, no one wanted to close in on a fault with 200 amp fuses. Ben was going to use an 8' stick from his truck, but we talked him into using one of our 16' telescopic ones. I, as leader, went across the street and all but hid behind a large tree (I hate fuses!), watching for the moment Ben closed in so I could stick my fingers in my ears. Yes, I'm a coward! Next to me was a home owner that asked me if they were loud. "Yup" was all I said. He also stuck his fingers in his ears. The first one closed with out as much as a flicker. Time for the second one; fingers in a little further; resident thinking I'm exaggerating and not covering his ears. Again, not a sound. The third one though was the bad one. My fingers were touching somewhere in my head as the loudest bang I've ever heard echoed across the countryside. Fire and sparks shot from 4 poles each side of the switch pole. Ben's moustache was sticking out like a cartoon character and the guy that had been standing next to me was nowhere to be seen. It was a good 30 minutes before we could get a beer in Ben without him shaking too much to hold the can. And that was with him using two hands. High side insulator on a self-contained pot one span away was shorted. The rest of our stay was nothing short of fantastic. We were housed in a retreat house (had to sneak the beer in past the nuns) and were fed nothing but the best.

Best part, we all came home in one piece. W ;-)