Dielectric Safety Net: A Proven Solution for High-Voltage Work

Over the last few years, Barry has consulted on and manufactured highly customized dielectric safety or guard nets for high-voltage electrical sub-stations and energized crossings. The general concept of these netting systems is to provide a safe turnkey system allowing maintenance or construction to be performed without requiring an outage.

Dielectric safety net system installed above high-voltage electric substation. In this configuration, the net is supported on 4 corner posts, with cross section structural ropes anchored to the posts.

These nets have been vital to various utility operations who cannot easily enter a complete outage, either due to regulatory, technical or financial limitations. Outages can not always be obtained from system operators and are becoming increasingly more difficult.

These systems are assembled using the highest quality insulative materials and may be connected to four corner wood/steel posts, existing support structures or over rider pole structures. The Barry system is an easy-to-install, reliable barrier with a minimal footprint.

The system’s support ropes are designed to mitigate and absorb the effects of impact of a dropped conductor or equipment, using energy dissipators while the dielectric net itself will prevent the dropped conductor from touching energized apparatus and eliminates sag concerns.

Barry dielectric safety or guard nets allow maintenance and construction activities over-energized lines, stations and equipment and are required and valued by utilities for reasons such as:

• No arc flash issues, outages or shocks will occur if the net ever sags into energized lines or apparatus during installation/removal, or while in use
• No loss of revenue as the system avoids outages
• Enhanced worker safety by avoiding risk of arc flash, fault currents, transients, and shock hazards
• System reliability, stability and availability is maintained, which is required by regulatory authorities
• These netting systems allow for energized installation and removal, as stations cannot be completely de-energized
• Can prevent damage to the equipment below from the electrical effects of faults, and mechanical effects of dropped conductors or equipment
• Enhanced customer service and satisfaction with the simplicity of design, installation and removal of the system

Dielectric safety net system being installed above an energized crossing. In this configuration, the net is supported on 4 corner wooden posts and rider poles.

The Barry D.E.W. Line® products offer exceptional insulative properties, are extremely durable and resistant to moisture and contamination, and surpass all the electrical requirements of IEC 62192 and ASTM F 1701. The material may be re-used safely for many years and storage and maintenance recommendations are offered in the product User Instructions Manual.

Additionally, the insulative rope materials used will not degrade from ozone contamination, or mechanically weaken from arc flash or induction at locations of transfer from rope materials to the grounded structures and offer virtually no leakage current whether used in dry or wet, AC or DC conditions which enhances worker safety.

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Barry D.E.W. Line® Dielectric Safety Net

Video:

Time-lapse video of the Barry D.E.W. Line™ Dielectric Safety Net being installed on a rider pole structure over an energized transmission line.
Barry D.E.W. LineTM Dielectric Protective and Safety Net - YouTube