When and prior to grounding, how should lines be treated?

• A. All lines will be treated as energized until tested or determined to be de-energized, and then grounded.
• B. Lines can be assumed de-energized if they are not visibly powered.
• C. Only lines with visible signs require grounding.
• D. Grounds must be installed before any testing begins.

Answer: (A)

Lines should be treated as energized until you have tested and confirmed they are de-energized. Relying on whether power is visibly present isn’t safe because circuits can still be live due to stored energy, induced voltages, or hidden sources. The safe approach is to use approved testing methods at the work location, verify de-energization, and then apply grounding to provide a path for any stray or fault currents and to prevent re-energizing during work.

This sequence matters because grounding before you’ve verified de-energization can mask or fail to address remaining energy, and assuming de-energized without testing can expose workers to shock or arc hazards. Remember that even without visible power, energy can linger, so testing first and then grounding is the correct practice.