MAINTENANCE OF INSULATED AERIAL DEVICES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT USED FOR LINE MAINTENANCE

We provide a maintenance service for Insulated Aerial Devices for Live-Line Maintenance

Insulated Aerial Device Maintenance

In line with its policy of providing the most comprehensive solution to its clients, in 2018 Kolab added insulated aerial device maintenance to its range of services, in addition to dielectric testing of aerial devices, which it already provided.  In charge of Kolab’s aerial device maintenance service is a line equipment repair and maintenance specialist with over 14 years’ experience. Soon our clients started to request maintenance of other equipment with hydraulic components, such as cable drum jacks, line stringing equipment, and power tools, suck as chainsaws or hotstick-mounted hydraulic cutters.

Barquilla desmontada de pedestal durante mantenimiento
Aerial device dismounted from turntable during maintenance
Cesta de barquilla después de cambio de mangueras
Aerial Device Bucket after changing out hydraulic hoses
Cesta de barquilla antes de cambio de mangueras
Aerial Device Bucket before changing out hydraulic hoses

What is an Insulated Aerial Device and what purpose does it serve during live line maintenance?

An insulated aerial device consists of a fibreglass platform (bucket) mounted on an insulated lifting boom, itself mounted on a truck.

The upper boom consists of a fibreglass tube which provides the required level of insulation. Along its interior run hydraulic hoses filled with dielectric (insulating) oil, which enable boom and bucket movements, and levelling rods, which ensure that the bucket remains horizontal regardless of the boom position. The lower boom has an insulating fibreglass insert, designed to protect workers on the ground in the event of accidental contact of the boom elbow with a phase conductor or other energised part.

An aerial device is an elevating platform that allows linemen to approach the energised line conductors they will be working on. Its insulation provides a second layer of protection, in addition to the insulating gloves (for rubber glove work) or conductive suit (for barehand work) worn by the linemen.

The upper boom consists of a fibreglass tube which provides the required level of insulation. Along its interior run hydraulic hoses filled with dielectric (insulating) oil, which enable boom and bucket movements, and levelling rods, which ensure that the bucket remains horizontal regardless of the boom position. The lower boom has an insulating fibreglass insert, designed to protect workers on the ground in the event of accidental contact of the boom elbow with a phase conductor or other energised part.

An aerial device is an elevating platform that allows linemen to approach the energised line conductors they will be working on. Its insulation provides a second layer of protection, in addition to the insulating gloves (for rubber glove work) or conductive suit (for barehand work) worn by the linemen.

Aerial devices are mounted on a truck of suitable size and features, allowing them to access the work locations. These trucks have outriggers which prevent overturning during lateral extension of the boom.

Fully extended single-bucket aerial device

Why is regular maintenance of insulated aerial devices important?

It is an essential requirement for any industrial equipment to keep it in perfect operating condition to ensure its serviceability, as well as the safety of the workers.

For live line work, maintenance becomes critical, since any malfunction preventing linemen from moving away from an energised line, or any damage compromising the aerial device’s dielectric integrity, would represent a serious risk for the workers.

What are the main maintenance activities and at what intervals should they be performed?

Barquilla de doble cesta en posición de marcha
Double-bucket aerial device ready for road travel
Base de joystick desmontada para su reparación
Joystick base removed for repair
Brazo de barquilla reacondicionado
Reconditioned aerial device boom

What are the main repair tasks?

Maintenance of other equipment used for line work