Hot Line Training Centres were set up under CWPC in the Year 1958 - one unit each at Bangalore and Ganguwal, Punjab. The Initial scope of Training is Live Line Maintenance Techniques (LLMT)-Hot Stick Method up to 132 kV The Institute was Temporarily closed in the Year 1965 and reopened in the Year 1974 under CEA only at Peenya, Bangalore and the training Program Was extended up to 220kV in the same Year 1974 The Live Line Maintenance Techniques (LLMT) Using Bare Hand Method of training on 400 kV was introduced in the Year 1997. HLTC’s Somanahalli complex was inaugurated in the Year 2000 and Merging of HLTC with mainstream NPTI has happened on 1st April, 2002.

Hot Line Maintenance Practice :

Hot Line tools were first accepted for working on 33kV but the linemen were hesitant. Many companies hence restricted work up to 22 kV and less.

• 1940 - With improved tools and safety on hot line, maintenance work carried out up to 110 kV level.
• 1948 - Mr. O.G. Anderson and Mr. N.R. Parkinson of A.B. Chance carried out operation on 287 kV.
• 1950 - Fibre Glass tools were introduced.
• 1954 - Operation carried out on 330 kV with improved maploc coated wooden tools.
• 1959 - A.B. Chance Epoxy glass came into existence.
• 1960 - The tools were used on 400 kV. Also, the Bare Hand method was introduced.
• 1964 - The tools were used on 11 kV EHV lines, including 735 kV.
• 1958 - Introduced in India with the opening of two Hot Line Training Centres for voltage levels up to 110 kV, one at Bangalore and the other at Ganguwal (Punjab). Both centers were closed in 1964-65 after sufficient trainees were trained.
• 1975 - Hot Line Training Centre, Bangalore restarted for training in LLMT up to 220 kV level.
• 2002 - Hot Line Training Centre, Bangalore comes under National Power Training Institute.

History and Development of Hot Line Tools

• 1913 - First hot line tools were made in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Wooden sticks were used. They are crude, bulky, and difficult to handle.
• 1916 - Electrical hook in Atlanta, Georgia, USA developed wooden tools for grounding and jumpering, including P.G. clamps for handling conductors, hacksaws, wire grips, saddles, etc.
• 1918 - Tips Tools and Company in Taylorville, Illinois began manufacturing hot line tools, wire tongs, tree trimmers, saddles, hand tools, and universal tools for tension without using a set of rope block.
• 1937 - Tips Tools Company was purchased by M/s. A.B. Chance Co., and manufacturing facilities were moved to Centralia, Missouri, where the research and development of hot line tools were accelerated.