Driving home from the Dentist last week, I passed a crew lifting a new transformer into place. It reminded me of 40 years ago. As I have mentioned I worked for home building companies in Florida. One of the great joys of a newly completed home, is getting the electrical power connected for the first time. Working in the field offices could also be very quiet. So when the lineman showed up to connect the power to a house that had just passed it's final inspection it was a special event. I would leave the office and go watch, then turn the power on in the house and check to see that things were working and secure. One afternoon, I was watching as the lineman opened the side of a ground level transformer cabinet (the electric was all underground.) I watched as he put on his gloves, grounded himself, and reached in to attach the power cables to a live feed. I stood there and realized that a part of his job was being a glove's thickness from high voltage and certain death.
The lineman made more money than I did, and he earned every penny of it, doing a job that most of us either couldn't do or wouldn't do.
I have great respect for the people that do that kind of work, and do it well.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't stick my hand in there.
DeleteThere are people for every job and I am not one for THAT job!
ReplyDeleteI am glad someone does it
DeleteIt's a dangerous job alright.
ReplyDeleteKeeps the lights on.
DeleteI'll keep your real interest in watching the linesmen to myself.
ReplyDeleteelectrifying
DeleteI will gladly pay an electrician, even if it's just to switch out an outlet!
ReplyDeleteI have replaced outlets and switches, but that is about it.
DeleteHaving just had some experience with the electricians at my place, I know just what you are talking about when you mention those gloves. The guys here had a strange looking stick with them too.
ReplyDeleteI have heard about a stick to push someone away who is "connected"
DeleteLots of dangerous jobs that I would never be able to do!
ReplyDeleteI agree
DeleteI remember an experience as a kid. I was replacing a light bulb but I wasn't sure it was dead so I stuck my finger into the socket. The jolt I got convinced me and in spite of being fascinated by electricity that led to ham radio I don't think I ever repeated that experiment.
ReplyDeleteA less on well learned
DeleteLine do an great job here.
ReplyDeleteLots of open miles of lines to keep working.
DeleteI have a patient in this profession; he was almost electrocuted to death; he was also black-balled by the bosses afterwards rather then be supported.
ReplyDeleteHis bosses need therapy, or suing.
Delete