Ladder for working near WRAPPED electrical wires
 

I need to do some painting and gutter repair in the vicinity of our
aeriel service entrance.

I have called the electric company and they will be WRAPPING the wires
with insulation.

Do I still need to use a non-aluminum ladder or will the wrapping
protect me? (as long as I don't do something really dumb...)

(note I asked the electric company but because of liability concerns
they couldn't advise me either way -- gotta love our litigious society...)

Thanks

Ladder for working near WRAPPED electrical wires
 

"blueman" wrote in message
...
I need to do some painting and gutter repair in the vicinity of our
aeriel service entrance.

I have called the electric company and they will be WRAPPING the wires
with insulation.

Do I still need to use a non-aluminum ladder or will the wrapping
protect me? (as long as I don't do something really dumb...)

(note I asked the electric company but because of liability concerns
they couldn't advise me either way -- gotta love our litigious society...)

Thanks

Typically the overhead service drop conductors are already insulated. I
would have some concern if they are not. It would certainly be safer if you
can get a hold of a wood or fiberglass ladder, but I would be more concerned
about handling an aluminum leader or gutter near the wires. Do wear gloves

Ladder for working near WRAPPED electrical wires
 

blueman wrote:
I need to do some painting and gutter repair in the vicinity of our
aeriel service entrance.

I have called the electric company and they will be WRAPPING the wires
with insulation.

Do I still need to use a non-aluminum ladder or will the wrapping
protect me? (as long as I don't do something really dumb...)

Accidents happen, sometimes they're dumb mistakes, other times, well,
it's just an unforeseeable accident.

(note I asked the electric company but because of liability concerns
they couldn't advise me either way -- gotta love our litigious society...)

If the wires are wrapped, the odds of getting fried are low, but since
the outcome of coming out on the losing end of those odds is the same
- you're likely dead - why would you take the risk?

Don't be this guy:
http://www.joetedesco.org/cgi-bin/ph..._photo/1202690

R

Ladder for working near WRAPPED electrical wires
 

RBM wrote:

"blueman" wrote in message
...
I need to do some painting and gutter repair in the vicinity of our
aeriel service entrance.

I have called the electric company and they will be WRAPPING the wires
with insulation.

Do I still need to use a non-aluminum ladder or will the wrapping
protect me? (as long as I don't do something really dumb...)

(note I asked the electric company but because of liability concerns
they couldn't advise me either way -- gotta love our litigious society...)

Thanks

Typically the overhead service drop conductors are already insulated. I
would have some concern if they are not. It would certainly be safer if you
can get a hold of a wood or fiberglass ladder, but I would be more concerned
about handling an aluminum leader or gutter near the wires. Do wear gloves

Disclaimer: Not having seen your particular situation there could be
unknown issues.

As noted, the service drop conductors are normally insulated to begin
with. When the utility "wraps" them they usually drop on the same heavy
orange rubber sectional insulating sleeves they use on the primary lines
which run 100X+ the voltage of your service drop.

The most significant risks to watch out for would normally be:

- Ladder stability / falls

- The possibility of hitting the insulated service drop cables with a
gutter section (or similar) sharp enough to cut through the insulation
and make contact with the wire.

A non conductive ladder, preferably fiberglass, though dry wood is
adequately non conductive for residential service drop voltages of 120V
to ground.

Ladder for working near WRAPPED electrical wires
 

On Jun 13, 4:43*pm, "Pete C." wrote:
RBM wrote:

"blueman" wrote in message
...
I need to do some painting and gutter repair in the vicinity of our
aeriel service entrance.

I have called the electric company and they will be WRAPPING the wires
with insulation.

Do I still need to use a non-aluminum ladder or will the wrapping
protect me? (as long as I don't do something really dumb...)

(note I asked the electric company but because of liability concerns
they couldn't advise me either way -- gotta love our litigious society....)

Thanks

Typically the overhead service drop conductors are already insulated. I
would have some concern if they are not. It would certainly be safer if you
can get a hold of a wood or fiberglass ladder, but I would be more concerned
about handling an aluminum leader or gutter near the wires. Do wear gloves

Disclaimer: Not having seen your particular situation there could be
unknown issues.

As noted, the service drop conductors are normally insulated to begin
with. When the utility "wraps" them they usually drop on the same heavy
orange rubber sectional insulating sleeves they use on the primary lines
which run 100X+ the voltage of your service drop.

The most significant risks to watch out for would normally be:

- Ladder stability / falls

- The possibility of hitting the insulated service drop cables with a
gutter section (or similar) sharp enough to cut through the insulation
and make contact with the wire.

A non conductive ladder, preferably fiberglass, though dry wood is
adequately non conductive for residential service drop voltages of 120V
to ground.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

FWIW I prefer wood ladders although a lot of contractors now prohibit
anything but fiberglas on job sites. Apparently they are concerned
about wood ladders cracking and causing incidents for which they may
be held liable. I think this may also be a current OSHA requirement.

nate

Ladder for working near WRAPPED electrical wires
 

On Jun 13, 5:07 pm, N8N wrote:

FWIW I prefer wood ladders although a lot of contractors now prohibit
anything but fiberglas on job sites. Apparently they are concerned
about wood ladders cracking and causing incidents for which they may
be held liable. I think this may also be a current OSHA requirement.

I wonder how long until we start seeing carbon fiber ladders...

R

Ladder for working near WRAPPED electrical wires
 

RicodJour wrote:
On Jun 13, 5:07 pm, N8N wrote:

FWIW I prefer wood ladders although a lot of contractors now prohibit
anything but fiberglas on job sites. Apparently they are concerned
about wood ladders cracking and causing incidents for which they may
be held liable. I think this may also be a current OSHA requirement.


I wonder how long until we start seeing carbon fiber ladders...

R

That would be so freakin' cool... you'd cry the first time you spilled
paint on one though :)

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Ladder for working near WRAPPED electrical wires
 

Nate Nagel wrote:

RicodJour wrote:
On Jun 13, 5:07 pm, N8N wrote:

FWIW I prefer wood ladders although a lot of contractors now prohibit
anything but fiberglas on job sites. Apparently they are concerned
about wood ladders cracking and causing incidents for which they may
be held liable. I think this may also be a current OSHA requirement.


I wonder how long until we start seeing carbon fiber ladders...

R

That would be so freakin' cool... you'd cry the first time you spilled
paint on one though :)

Not sure you'll see one, I suspect carbon fiber would have conductivity
issues. Wouldn't put it past some Chinese company to produce a Faux
carbon fiber stepladder for the home market though. As for crying, I
just don't get that attached to material things. When I put the first
good scratch in my new truck it was just a "now it's a real truck"
moment.

Ladder for working near WRAPPED electrical wires
 

On Jun 13, 7:02 pm, Nate Nagel wrote:
RicodJour wrote:
On Jun 13, 5:07 pm, N8N wrote:

FWIW I prefer wood ladders although a lot of contractors now prohibit
anything but fiberglas on job sites. Apparently they are concerned
about wood ladders cracking and causing incidents for which they may
be held liable. I think this may also be a current OSHA requirement.

I wonder how long until we start seeing carbon fiber ladders...


That would be so freakin' cool... you'd cry the first time you spilled
paint on one though :)

Paint? Near my six thousand dollar ladder?! You must be crazy. I
only take it off of the living room wall over the couch to show people
at parties, and I make them wear gloves when they touch it.

R

Ladder for working near WRAPPED electrical wires
 

Nate Nagel wrote in
:

RicodJour wrote:
On Jun 13, 5:07 pm, N8N wrote:

FWIW I prefer wood ladders although a lot of contractors now prohibit
anything but fiberglas on job sites. Apparently they are concerned
about wood ladders cracking and causing incidents for which they may
be held liable. I think this may also be a current OSHA requirement.


I wonder how long until we start seeing carbon fiber ladders...

R

That would be so freakin' cool... you'd cry the first time you spilled
paint on one though :)

nate


LOL!

Ladder for working near WRAPPED electrical wires
 

On Jun 13, 3:50�pm, blueman wrote:
I need to do some painting and gutter repair in the vicinity of our
aeriel service entrance.

I have called the electric company and they will be WRAPPING the wires
with insulation.

Do I still need to use a non-aluminum ladder or will the wrapping
protect me? (as long as I don't do something really dumb...)

(note I asked the electric company but because of liability concerns
they couldn't advise me either way -- gotta love our litigious society...)

Thanks

only use a fiberglass ladder........ safety first

ask the power company if they can temporarily disconnect you at the
street.

power off will be safer, and run extension cord from friendly neighbor
if you need power.......

Ladder for working near WRAPPED electrical wires
 

On Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:50:43 GMT, blueman wrote:

I need to do some painting and gutter repair in the vicinity of our
aeriel service entrance.

I have called the electric company and they will be WRAPPING the wires
with insulation.

Do I still need to use a non-aluminum ladder or will the wrapping
protect me? (as long as I don't do something really dumb...)

(note I asked the electric company but because of liability concerns
they couldn't advise me either way -- gotta love our litigious society...)

Thanks

Fiberglass is probably your best choice. I knew a man that got zapped
on an aluminum ladder--he did not survive. Ladders should be
regularly inspected for wear and damage.