Technical Live Cutting

The term “Technical Live Cut” has been given to clearance work that requires special expertise and / or equipment to complete in a safe way.
The criteria used are fully compliant with G55/1, for example, no part of any cutters body or un-insulated tools can enter the live zone or the vicinity zone.
Any branches or twig cut and held by the cutter must be short enough to ensure that if they accidentally move in the direction of the line, they will not enter the vicinity or the live zone. Short sections of branch or twigs cut may enter the vicinity or live zone as they free fall to the ground.
No branch or twig should be long enough to bridge adjacent conductors on the power line. Often this type of work will obviate the need to shutdown the feeder to carry out the cutting work.
With this process it is advisable to use MEWPs with insulated booms to reduce the risk of electric shock in the event of any unforeseen event.