Anyone have a proven routine for cleaning and field-testing fiberglass sticks after coastal storm work? We ran 14 hours on a 34.5 kV feeder last night; I wiped, inspected, and waxed before the next set, but I’m debating whether to pull the portable tester for a quick 75 kV/ft check on site or wait for the shop’s monthly bench test — what’s your safety call that won’t bog the crew?
I’d pull the portable and hit a quick 75 kV/ft after a DI water rinse, full dry, and re-wax — “salt fog’s a sneaky conductor” — then roll if it passes. If humidity’s still high or you see a film, I’d park that stick for the shop bench rather than chase false fails. You carrying DI on the truck or just wipes?
Quick tip from coastal runs: I won’t field‑test a stick until the last DI rinse is under about 15 µS/cm on a pocket conductivity meter, then warm‑air dry (no heat) and hold the portable at 75 kV/ft for a full 60‑sec dwell — ‘salt hides in the weave’ if you rush it. You carry a cheap conductivity pen on the truck? If the rinse won’t drop, I tag it for the shop.