We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Electrical

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Hot Stick?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 12,945
Share

A hot stick is a tool people can use to work around an energized power line to protect themselves from electric shock while performing service tasks. This tool can also be used for safety when a line's power status is not known. It consists of a long pole with interchangeable heads, allowing people to swap tools in and out as they need them. First responders and line crews for phone, television, and cable companies all use hot sticks in their work, and they are available through a number of companies. The typical construction is fiberglass, as fiberglass is an excellent insulator and will not conduct electricity down the length of the device.

There are sometimes situations where people need to work directly on an energized line. Using the hot stick, they can manipulate the line or settings on devices surrounding it with tools they attach to the end of the tool. Hot sticks are often telescoping, allowing people to adjust pole length to suit their needs. For close quarters work, it can help to shorten the device, while in other cases, people may extend the hot stick to reach from a distance.

In other situations, the status of the line may not be clear. For safety reasons, people cannot rely on reports that a line is off. In a situation where people respond to emergencies like fallen trees that have taken down power poles or a car accident involving electrical lines, the system is supposed to shut off automatically and people can request a manual shut down. Technicians still need to approach with a hot stick, though, just in case. They can use the device to detect voltage and determine whether the line is truly de-energized.

People receive training in how to use the hot stick along with any attachments. There are a number of safety procedures people must follow whenever they work with utility lines because the danger can be significant. If someone accidentally restores power to a line while a crew is working on it, it could cause severe injuries or deaths. Safety measures like wearing protective gear and using hot sticks to avoid handling lines directly are sometimes legally required, and are definitely a good practice even in settings where they are not.

It is important to store hot sticks securely to avoid problems like chips and cracks. People will usually inspect their tools before starting work to check for damage, and in some cases, workers are responsible for keeping track of the condition of their own gear.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a About Mechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-hot-stick.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.