A flexible solution

An alternative to a dedicated insulated personnel boom is available in the USA that can be fitted to almost any kind of rough terrain crane to provide personnel access to power lines. Waco, Texas, based Diversified Products' president Raymond Fritel told AI: “our IWP-500kV, an insulated work platform attachment, adapts a crane to perform category A insulated aerial lift operations.”

Developed as a result of customer demand, he says: “It is aimed at those customers who cannot or are unwilling to incur the cost of a dedicated insulated AWP. It can be fitted to any large tyred mobile crane and is a fully engineered solution. Our engineers review the application and supervise our technicians who actually fit the attachment to the machine. Each installation is then recertified as being safe for purpose.”

The jib and controls are intended to provide electrical insulation to personnel working on live transmission lines and equipment at voltages of 500kV and below. The design meets or exceeds the ANSI A92.2, ASME B30.23, CSA Z 150 and CSA 225 standards.

Fifteen installations have been carried out to date, all on wheeled carriers. However, Mr Fritel told AI that he is currently quoting for an installation onto a tracked machine