HomeMy WebLinkAbout306.009 - AC Hot Stick Basic Operation
TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT MANUAL
RESCUE EQUIPMENT
306.009 AC HOT STICK BASIC OPERATION
EFFECTIVE: JULY 2018
Current Revision Date: 7/26/19 Next Revision Date: 7/26/24
Author’s Name/Rank: Justin Moore, Captain Review Level: 1
Administrative Support:
Leslie Oulashian
Management Analyst II
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide Fresno Fire Department (FFD or
Department) members with instructions for the safe operation of the AC Hot Stick.
APPLICATION
Contents of this policy apply to all members while operating the AC Hot Stick
System for maintenance, training, or during emergency operations. (See Figure 1.)
OPERATIONAL POLICY
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OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
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Figure 1
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PROCESS
1. Basic Operation of the AC Hot Stick:
a. Hold the hot stick by the grip at the lanyard end. (See Figure 2.)
b. Turn the unit on by rotating the ring of the mode switch in the
direction of the arrow to “high sensitivity.” (See Figure 3.)
c. The unit will go through a self-test for the first three seconds.
Do not use the unit if there is no beeping, no flashing of the
light, or if it emits a steady tone.
Figure 2
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d. Continue to use the high sensitivity setting until you have
narrowed down the area of the AC current.
e. As the unit is brought closer to the source, it will beep and the
LED light will flash. (See Figure 4.)
Note: The unit will occasionally beep when there is no AC
current near.
f. The closer you hold the unit to the source, the more it will beep
and flash. (See Figure 5.)
Figure 4
Figure 5
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g. Once the AC has been clearly detected and the AC hot stick
beeps rapidly, select the “low sensitivity” setting or “front
focused” to pinpoint the source. (See Figure 6.)
2. Sensitivity and Range:
a. The sensitivity and range will depend on many factors:
i. The strength of the AC current.
ii. The physical size of the conductor.
iii. The higher the hot stick is held above ground, the greater
the range.
iv. If the AC conductors are fully enclosed in grounded metal
shielding, the hot stick will not indicate a danger. (See
Figure 7.)
Figure 6
Figure 7
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3. Safety:
a. High Voltage:
i. The hot stick is protected against electrical overload. All
electrical parts are encased in insulating material in order
to protect the user.
ii. Avoid contact with wires that carry high voltages. Keep a
safe distance of nine (9) feet from all unguarded live
parts suspected of voltage in excess of 601 volts.
4. Battery Replacement:
a. Unscrew the knurled lanyard screw. (See Figure 8.)
b. The gray cap is spring loaded and may push out as the screw is
removed.
c. Replace old batteries and replace the end-cap as well as the
screw.
d. Check for operation. If the self-test does activate or a
continuous tone is heard, recheck the batteries.
Figure 8
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INFORMATION
Specifications:
Safety: Intrinsically Safe
Batteries: 4 x AA
Battery life: Continuous: 300 Hrs.
Typical Use: 1 Year
Water Resistance: Splash Proof
DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
No cross-references recognized.
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