In electrical engineering, live-line working is the maintenance of electrical equipment, often operating at high voltage, while the equipment is still energised. The first techniques for live-line working were developed in the early years of the twentieth century, and both equipment and work methods were later refined to deal with increasingly higher voltages. In the 1960s, methods were developed in the laboratory to enable field workers to come into direct contact with high voltage lines.

Such methods can be applied to enable safe work at the very highest transmission voltages. “Bare-Hand” and/or ‘Live-Line” is the method whereby a worker is placed at the same potential as, and works directly on energised conductor or equipment. The transfer of the worker to conductor potential may be accomplished through the use of insulated ladders, live line rope, insulated EPV personnel buckets or helicopters.

The live-line barehand technique is used to work high voltage lines (generally 115 kV and higher) while they are "live." Since insulating gloves are not available for these voltages, the technique of bare-hand live line work has been developed in which the worker is bonded to the line, working, insulated and/or isolated from ground and all other objects at a different potential.

Although the terminology is not defined in specific standards, it is widely recognized in the electric power industry.The Faraday Cage principle states that no charge can be present on the interior of a charged cage. While wearing the barehand suit, the electric charge flows around the outside of the suit (the charged cage) and not through the lineman's body (the interior of the charged cage).

With the metallic mesh clothing bonded to the conductor, the lineman can work protected inside the electrical field.Conductive Clothing manufactured by Live Line Suits Africa offer complete and effective protection for live line bare-hand workers. Renowned for safety, comfort and extra-durability LLSA’s conductive clothing create a Faraday cage effect that places a linesman at the same potential as the conductor.

With special bonding lines connected to each conductive garment the workman can work comfortably inside the electrical field, with gloved hands, at close range. Using uniquely crafted Nomex thread inter-woven with stainless steel thread to produce a comfortable and soft fabric LLSA manufactures high standard conductive suits specially for the rugged Southern African market and leads the local market due to price, quality and close monitoring of each manufacturing phase of each garment.

Strict local production standards, unique design and inherent built-in safety features ensure excellent performance, mobility and durability. Specialized padding can be added to trouser areas to ensure longer wear and extra comfort for the linesman during use.

Various styles of Conductive Line Line suits are available on request and are sized according to Southern African needs. Whilst all fabric is imported, each garment is cut, manufactured and checked for quality locally, ensuring LLSA’s commitment to economic empowerment within the country, and all additional items required for our garments are sourced by local supply company’s who conform to BEE requirements.

Additional items such as socks, gloves and conductive live-work boots are all available too, produced locally from imported threads, ensuring a continuous supply to the high-voltage industry.