What precaution should be taken after de-energizing pole top terminations?

After de-energizing pole top terminations, it is essential to bleed off the charge and test to ensure that there are no residual voltages present before handling the equipment. This step is critical for maintaining safety and preventing electric shock. Even after de-energization, there can still be a residual charge in the conductors or equipment, which can pose a risk to the lineman if not properly drained.

Testing after bleeding off the charge allows the technician to confirm that the system is truly de-energized and safe to work on. This is a fundamental part of the safety protocols in the industry, highlighting the importance of confirming that a system is completely free of electrical charge before work begins.

Having a secondary crew observe, ensuring proper grounding of all equipment, or removing the cable immediately may be useful practices, but they do not directly address the critical need to confirm that all electrical potential has been safely removed before proceeding.