History of Electric Power Development

Front

1885 – 1890: What marked the beginning of electric power development?

Back

The generation and delivery of electric power began, with trial and error building experience. Crew foremen ran large crews with little experience, using horses to pull wagons, set poles, and string wire.

Front

1890 – 1920: What advancements occurred in this period?

Back

The first motorized vehicles appeared, derricks were developed to assist in setting poles, and foremen had more experienced workers. The majority of work was construction, and early methods for working on energized lines were developed.

Front

1920 – 1940: What changes occurred in line crew activities?

Back

Line crews performed more maintenance, voltage levels increased, and more live-line work was done. Tools and equipment improved, the first Lineman’s Handbook was published, and the REA was established, beginning rural electrification in the U.S.

Front

1940 – 1960: How did live-line work evolve?

Back

Live-line work increased and became routine for voltages below 44 kV. Foremen used pickup trucks to lay out work, derricks were widely used to set poles, production hole diggers were used, and more training of lineworkers occurred.

Front

1960 – 1980: What were the key developments in this period?

Back

Live-line work on transmission voltages occurred, OSHA was established, utilities required more paperwork by foremen, aerial lift trucks were widely used, and line crew sizes were reduced.

Front

1980 – 2000: How did the utility industry change?

Back

Utilities faced a deregulated environment, company information systems were computerized, crew leaders learned computer applications, live-line work increased, material handling aerial lift trucks appeared, and safety regulations became more complex.