When lineworkers are in the field, safety is never left to chance. One of the most important tools crews rely on is called a hot-line tag. This precaution is placed on reclosers and is designed to shut off power if there’s a disturbance on the line.

Normally, if something briefly touches a power line—like a tree limb or an animal—the system will attempt to “blink” the lights a few times to allow the fault to clear on its own and keep power flowing. But when a hot-line tag is in place, that blinking process is disabled. Even a small contact will cause the line to shut off completely. This extra step ensures that if the disturbance were a person working on the line, electricity would not be re-energized until the system is confirmed safe.

For members, that can sometimes mean unexpected outages in areas where crews are working. We know this can be frustrating, since these events would normally cause only a quick blink. The good news is that once the line is visibly confirmed clear, power can be restored quickly. It may be an occasional inconvenience, but one that keeps lineworkers safe as they build a stronger, more reliable system.

Visit CHELCO.com to update your contact information so we can keep you informed on outages and scheduled maintenance in your area.