Dielectric Testing

Dielectric Tester

Dielectric testing is an evaluation process performed by applying voltage to an aerial device that exceeds the normal operating voltages surrounding the working area. The purpose of the test is to determine if a component’s insulation is adequate enough to protect the user from electric shock. This testing procedure is performed on all insulated aerial devices. The manufacturer of an aerial device typically conducts dielectric testing at the end of the production process. A special device known as a dielectric tester is used to perform this type of test.

Almost all aerial devices leak a certain amount of electrical current due to a variety of different factors. This very small amount of current is considered to be safe for users of these components. Under certain conditions the insulating materials or mechanisms can breakdown and allow dangerous amounts of electrical current to come into contact with the user. This type of insulation failure can sometimes cause serious injury or death. Dielectric testing is necessary to ensure that the insulating mechanism of an aerial device will withstand voltage variations under normal operating conditions.

Dielectric Testing

A dielectric test is performed before the vehicle is delivered new to a customer.  An additional dielectric test is required to be performed once a year for the aerial’s yearly inspection.  Also anytime an aerial’s insulated section has been repaired or any component on that unit has been replaced.  Some end user’s have higher safety standards and require a test done more frequently.  Check with your manufacturer or your service center to see if your aerial device is due for an inspection and dielectric test.

Advantages of Biodegradable Hydraulic Oil

Evergreen 22 Environmentally
Safe Utility Biodegradable
Hydraulic Oil

The Evergreen 22 biodegradable hydraulic oil, standard in all new Versalift East products, has many advantages other than biodegradability.  Here are a few of those advantages and some observations about the oil’s properties.

• Although biodegradable, spilled Evergreen 22 should be contained and absorbed as much as possible just like you would do with a petroleum based product.  The difference is that the remainder of the spilled Evergreen 22 can be flushed away with water since it will break down almost completely in a one month period.  Grass that has the bio oil spilled on it will show recovery in a week if flushed with water in manufacturer’s testing.  No need to dig up soil.
• While biodegradable, Evergreen 22 is not water soluble which is an important quality.  A key function of hydraulic oil is to keep water out of suspension, demulsify, so it can be drained out of the bottom of the hydraulic tank if it collects.  Water in suspension would cause rust in the system. A water soluble oil would not have this key property.
• Evergreen 22 is designed specifically for high dielectric resistance.  Important when used in an insulated aerial device.
• Evergreen 22 is a plant based synthetic oil, not petroleum based like mineral oil.
• Evergreen 22 contains additives such as antifoaming, antirust, anticorrosion,  demulsifier, anti-wear, and oxidation stability to provide long service life.  Just like in any quality petroleum based hydraulic oil.
• Viscosity index is a measure of how viscosity changes with temperature.   Evergreen 22 has a high viscosity index which indicates lower change in viscosity over a wide range of temperature.  Compared to a leading petroleum based ISO 22 hydraulic oil, Evergreen 22 is actual more viscosity stable (higher viscosity index) over the full range of operating temperature.
• Pour point is -36 degrees Celsius for Evergreen 22, -30 degrees Celsius for the petroleum based competitor.
• Testing for Evergreen 22 includes its effects on seal life. Evergreen 22 passed test on Buna, neoprene, and Viton seal material.
• It is safe to mix Evergreen 22 with petroleum based hydraulic oil if needed.  This also allows you to change your older system from petroleum based to biodegradable Evergreen 22 by dumping and refilling, no special flushing of the tank and lines is required.
• Disposal of biodegradable oil depends on you local recycler.  Check with them as to whether you should store separately or can mix with petroleum based waste oil.  It all depends on their recycling method.  Don’t pour it down the drain.
• Price per gallon is similar, no extra up front cost.

In summary, Evergreen 22 biodegradable hydraulic oil has all the good properties of its petroleum based competitors without some of its bad characteristics.  Evergreen 22 can be purchased 24/7 from our online store in quantities of 5 gallon pail, 55 gallon drum or a 275 gallon tote. Online store website is http://store.versalifteast.com - look for Biodegradable Oils category.

Care of Fiberglass Booms

Fiberglass booms should be wiped down daily with a lint free cloth. This practice both cleans the boom and allows the operator to inspect the boom for any damage or items requiring repair. In the event any chips, scrapes or abrasions are found, that would permit water to be absorbed into the fiberglass, the boom should be repaired in accordance with the manufacturers requirements.

Fiberglass booms should never be steam cleaned. This practice may actually damage the boom by allowing the high-pressure water and steam to penetrate the fiberglass. Booms should be washed with a mild dish-washing detergent. Never use an abrasive type cleanser or anything that will compromise the dielectric value of the boom.  The boom will need to be elevated and allowed to air dry after the unit has washed.

If the boom does have deposits of creosote or grease a more aggressive chemical, such as Donar Chemicals Electra Clean, may be used. The booms need to be thoroughly rinsed and allowed to air dry after the use of any type of cleaner.

Once booms have been cleaned, it should be coated with a good quality fiberglass wax. Boom wax is available from companies such as Hastings, Kearney and Donar. This coating of wax will help to keep the booms clean and shiny, preventing grease, road salts and creosote from adhering to the boom. This will also assist the boom with shedding water during storm work.

Fiberglass booms should be dielectrically certified after the booms have been cleaned to insure the dielectric values of the boom have not changed. A dielectric test should also be performed anytime a boom has been repaired or a component that passes thru an insulated portion of the boom has been replaced. This test will insure the repair procedure and the replacement items used, have not affected the insulated value of the boom.

Items such as saw scabbards should be removed for any dielectric tests. These items should also be washed periodically to insure they do not track any residue across an insulated portion of the booms. It is important not to place any aerial accessories in a manner that may affect the dielectric value of the boom.

If you have any questions about boom maintenance or repairs, you should contact your aerial service center or the aerial manufacturer for assistance.

Reducing Fleet Fuel Costs

Chassis choice can reduce the fleet procurement costs while realizing a major windfall savings from fuel and long term ownership costs. It may be worth the time and effort to look beyond procurement to the users and to the actual job function.  Below are examples of the same job being approached with two differently specified aerials and chassis doing the same job however there is tremendous long term cost of ownership savings.

Short term fleet fuel costs can be realized by increasing operator awareness. Below are five simple bullet items that can be reinforce at tailboard meetings, posted in the ready rooms or safety good operation meetings. 

1. Jackrabbit starts waste fuel and save less than 3 minutes per hour driving, but can result in using 40% more fuel, reducing drive line costs as well.
2. Speeds over 60 mph drastically impact fuel efficiencies - cars traveling at 75 mph use 20% more fuel. Trucks traveling at 75 mph use 50% more fuel and they also emit 100% more carbon monoxide, 50% more hydrocarbons and 31% more nitrogen oxides. 
3. Excessive idling can add to your fleet fuel costs by as much as 50% and can shorten engine oil life by 75%, driving all fleet operating costs. 
4. Extra parasitic weight places unnecessary strain on your vehicle's engine and greatly affects a fleet’s fuel consumption driving operating costs.  
5. Proper tire inflation improves fuel mileage. Statistics show improperly inflated tires can cost up to 2 weeks worth of fuel per year. Fleet tire costs follow not far behind fuel costs.  Tire inflation can save in two big ways effecting the bottom line helping to control the cost of ownership.