Linemen for Tucson Electric Power (TEP) often must access structures in remote locations. To get the first lineman up towers with 100 percent fall protection, TEP invested in a pneumatic launcher and ascender from Atlas Devices. In this video, linemen use a kit to access a 345 kV tower near Tucson, Arizona.
In the video below, a TEP crew uses the Atlas Tower Kit 2, which includes the compact launcher and APA-5-U powered ascender, to reach a mid-span spacer on a 345 kV line. According to Atlas Devices, the Tower Kit 2 is compact enough to easily fit on a side-by-side ATV to remotely access energized towers and conductors.
The compact launcher shown has a vertical reach of more than 75 ft, and the APA-5-U powered ascender can lift rescue loads of up to 600 lbs and ascend up to 1400 ft with a 250 lb load on its extended battery. Both systems integrate seamlessly with standard climbing and safety equipment to maintain OSHA compliant 100% attached climbing. For higher heights, linemen can use the REBS launcher from the Atlas Tower Kit 1 to reach more than 160 ft.