When hoisting a long string of insulators, care should be taken not to ? because it can damage the ball, socket, and cotter keys.

When hoisting a long string of insulators, care should be taken not to ? because it can damage the ball, socket, and cotter keys.

• A. Excessively bend the string
• B. Send up the entire string
• C. Split the string
• D. Tie the rope to the insulators

Answer: (A)

Excessive bending during hoisting puts heavy stress right where the insulators connect—the ball-and-socket joints held together by cotter keys. If you bend the string too sharply, those joints can be distorted or the cotter keys can loosen, weakening the whole assembly as it’s lifted. To prevent this, rig the load so it curves gently and is supported along its length, using a spreader or appropriate slings that avoid sharp bends. Other options don’t directly address the risk to these joint components: sending up the entire string bypasses the bending issue, splitting the string is a handling choice, and tying the rope to the insulators could introduce other problems without reducing joint stress.

Excessive bending during hoisting puts heavy stress right where the insulators connect—the ball-and-socket joints held together by cotter keys. If you bend the string too sharply, those joints can be distorted or the cotter keys can loosen, weakening the whole assembly as it’s lifted. To prevent this, rig the load so it curves gently and is supported along its length, using a spreader or appropriate slings that avoid sharp bends. Other options don’t directly address the risk to these joint components: sending up the entire string bypasses the bending issue, splitting the string is a handling choice, and tying the rope to the insulators could introduce other problems without reducing joint stress.