TEST IT !

GROUND IT !

IF IT'S NOT GROUNDED

IT'S NOT DEAD

The data listed below is taken from Title 8 of the California Code Of Regulations 

These distances shall be maintained until all conductors of the circuit you are getting ready to work on are properly GROUNDED.

Subchapter 5. Electrical Safety Orders
Group 2. High-Voltage Electrical Safety Orders
Article 36. Work Procedures and Operating Procedures (Formerly Article 85)

2940.2. Clearances.

(a) No employee shall be permitted to approach or take any conductive object without an approved insulating handle closer to exposed energized parts than shown in Table 2940.2 unless:

(1) The employee is insulated or guarded from the energized part (gloves or gloves with sleeves rated for the voltage involved shall be considered insulation of the employee from the energized part), or

(2) The energized part is insulated or guarded from the employee and any other conductive object at a different potential.

(b) When performing work with live line tools, minimum clear distances in Table 2940.2 shall be maintained. Conductor support tools, such as link sticks, strain carriers, and insulator cradles, shall be permitted to be used provided that the clear insulation is at least as long as the insulator string or the minimum distance specified in Table 2940.2 for the operating voltage.

 TABLE 2940.2 
 ALTERNATING CURRENT--MINIMUM APPROACH DISTANCE 

 Nominal Voltage Range
(Phase to Phase)              Minimum Approach Distance
Kilovolt                  Phase to Ground Exposure 
Above   0.6 to   15.................... 2 ft. 1 in.
Above    15 to   36.................... 2 ft. 4 in.
Above    36 to   46.................... 2 ft. 7 in.
Above    46 to 72.5.................... 3 ft. 0 in.
Above  72.5 to  121.................... 3 ft. 4 in.
Above   121 to  145.....................3 ft. 7 in.
Above   145 to  169.................... 4 ft. 0 in.
Above   169 to  242.................... 5 ft. 3 in.
Above   242 to  362.................... 8 ft. 6 in.
Above   362 to 552................... 11 ft. 3 in.
Above   552 to  765................... 15 ft. 0 in.

Note: Above 242 KV the minimum working distance and the minimum approach distance shall be permitted to be reduced provided that such distances are not less than the shortest distance between the energized part and a grounded surface.

Right Click on the picture above and select "Save Target As" to download a power point presentation on grounding.

This presentation was developed by N.U.T.S.

National Utiltiy Training Systems

http://www.nwppa.org/web/home/index.shtml

This presentation has helpful information on the history of grounding as well as general decriptions on theory and practice.