A feasibility study of live working in Turkish electricity distribution system

Abstract

According to IEC 60050 definition, live working is “an activity in which a worker makes contact with energized parts or encroaches inside the live working zone with either parts of his or her body or with tools, devices or equipment”. Live working is a worldwide used maintenance and repair methodology in electricity systems. In other words, it is possible to perform maintenance and repair works on energized equipment without causing an interruption. Since any interruption automatically means cost burden for both customers and system operators, live working gains significance. In addition, the statistical data shows that the number of accidents during the maintenance and repair works has decreased significantly wherever the live working techniques are applied.