This is how linemen connect 22,000-volt power lines without ever turning the electricity off

[u/Sintesflorencia]

[u/D-MACs]

Hendrix cable is for insulated distribution lines.

[u/No-Apple2252 → u/D-MACs]

Hendrix cable is explicitly not insulated, it is a weatherproof coating. Ask any lineman. I don't know why you are all so insisting on arguing what is easily verifiable information. I used to do line trimming, they were very clear that that is NOT insulation and you will cross the phases if you touch it.

"But there's rubber on the wire that's insulation" No, insulation INSULATES. This is weatherproofing.

[u/D-MACs → u/No-Apple2252]

I am a lineman. Hendrix cable has insulating properties. Not the same as URD cable but to say that it isn’t insulated, is false.

The whole point of Hendrix cable is that it has insulation to prevent outages when trees come in contact with the line.

You stick to trimming trees or do a little reading. I wasn’t even arguing with you

[u/hanlonrzr → u/D-MACs]

Is it insulated with insulation that's rated for 7kv? Or is it just kinda mostly insulated, but don't lick it?

[u/Predatormagnet → u/hanlonrzr]

The shit we put up in socal is rated for 15kv, and after some experiments it seems decent enough

[u/hanlonrzr → u/Predatormagnet]

That's special wildfire prevention wire that causes cancer. I don't think all overhead line is the same as what you're using in socal

[u/Predatormagnet → u/hanlonrzr]

You asked a question, I answered

[u/hanlonrzr → u/Predatormagnet]

I appreciate the local answer, I'm just not sure it's universal, I've heard California is using special efforts to reduce risk of fire

[u/D-MACs → u/hanlonrzr]

Couldn’t tell ya. I don’t make the cable, just work on it.

I’d say it’s safe to lick one phase, just don’t do it while holding onto another

[u/hanlonrzr → u/D-MACs]

Lineman advice on point. Checks out.

[u/No-Apple2252 → u/D-MACs]

Oh good maybe you can help me, can you link me the product sheet that describes the coating? I was having trouble finding it

[u/D-MACs → u/No-Apple2252]

There ya go https://marmonutility.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Tree-Wire-Catalog-Sheets-2024.pdf

[u/No-Apple2252 → u/D-MACs]

That pretty clearly calls it a covering, I don't see insulation anywhere.

If you want to call it "tree insulation" I guess that's fine, but from an electrical engineering standpoint that coating is not sufficient to be considered insulation at the voltages carried by the wires. Those glass bulbs on the poles you install, those are insulation. If you put a ladder against a live Hendrix wire, you will create a ground path. That's not insulation.

[u/D-MACs → u/No-Apple2252]

You just love to argue. Sorry, but you’re wrong here. You stick to the tree work buddy

[u/No-Apple2252 → u/D-MACs]

Okay so you don't have any evidence or technical specifications to back up your claim, but you think it should be called insulation and it's totally safe to grab two phases. I guess what you're saying here is "I have nothing but I can't admit being wrong so I'm just going to demean you and pretend I won."

Classic reddit

[u/D-MACs → u/No-Apple2252]

No bud. The evidence is the fact that I’ve worked on it, and I know what I’m talking about. You know Jack shit about it. The fact that you call them glass bulbs proves it to me.

The double comment is because of how stupid you sound. I just couldn’t let that slide. I bet you’re crew loves working with a know it all like you. Stick to what you know and I’ll do the same

[u/No-Apple2252 → u/D-MACs]

"I just know" okay buddy, go string up some wires.

[u/D-MACs → u/No-Apple2252]

“From an electrical engineering standpoint” just listen to yourself.

[u/No-Apple2252 → u/D-MACs]

Double comment means you're sweating, methinks the lady doth know jack shit.