Barry D.E.W. Vicinity Rope, Handling, Reconditioning and Testing

Introduction

Following the recent introduction of the Barry D.E.W. Vicinity Rope™ and Barry D.E.W. Vicinity HD Rope™, this complementary article provides detailed guidance on handling, reconditioning, and storage, as well as on electrical testing before use and visual inspection. These instructions complete the existing documentation to help professionals ensure consistent performance, safety, and durability of the product in energized or proximity environments.

As with all Barry products designed for work in or near energized areas, such as the Vicinity series, the use of this rope is strictly reserved for trained and qualified professionals who understand the operating methods and limitations of Barry products. The Barry D.E.W. Vicinity Rope™ and Vicinity HD Rope™ are intended for professional linemen and high-angle specialists working in proximity to energized sources, serving as dependable support solutions used in combination with traditional core systems.

For direct contact with energized sources, please refer to our Barry D.E.W. Line® Insulating Rope model, selected according to your specific needs and application type. The Barry D.E.W. Line® Insulating Rope is designed for use in direct contact with energized conductors, whereas the Barry D.E.W. Vicinity Rope™ is intended solely for proximity applications where there is no risk of direct contact.

Available Models

The Barry D.E.W. Vicinity Rope™ series includes two models designed for proximity electrical work applications:

• Barry D.E.W. Vicinity Rope™ – 7/16 in, green with one black tracer
• Barry D.E.W. Vicinity HD Rope™ – 1/2 in, green with two black tracers

 

Both models are engineered to offer high mechanical strength and low leakage current under proximity energized conditions.

Type of Rope and Intended Use

The Vicinity rope is designed for indirect use only, not for direct electrical contact. The testing and conditioning requirements are therefore less stringent than those for fully dielectric ropes certified under ASTM and IEC standards. It can safely be used in proximity or indirect exposure conditions.

Testing and Conditioning

• Each sample is placed in a climatic chamber for 16 hours at over 95% humidity.
• The rope is then tested at 50 kV over 12 inches using the ASTM disc and electrodes.
• The test must show very low leakage current, with the current graph remaining stable or decreasing at the end.
• A dry test is also performed at 100 kV over the same distance.
• Both the ½-inch and 7/16-inch ropes consistently pass these tests with excellent results.

Usage Duration and Reconditioning

• The rope can safely be used for up to 8 hours per workday under normal conditions, no rain, fog, or high humidity.
• After each workday, the rope must be reconditioned for at least 12 hours in a dry room with humidity ideally below 30%, preferably around 10%.
• Once reconditioned, the rope can be inspected and tested and returned to service.

Testing Before Use and Storage

• Before each use or before storage, check the rope for leakage with a portable Wet/Dry Hotstick tester (Chance or Hastings type) calibrated for your specific environment, as described in the user manual. Link to the Barry D.E.W. Line® Insulating Rope Equipment, user Instructions Manual.
• Set an acceptable leakage threshold based on your experience and the rope’s baseline condition.
  • Comparative Electrical Testing of Portable Hot Stick Testers
  • Benchmark for Pre-Use Electrical Testing Using Portable Testers
• If the reading is higher than your threshold, do not use the rope and recondition it again in a dry room.

Storage Conditions and Precautions

Sealed Storage

• Store in a sealed box or bag, ideally in a dry room, trailer, or vehicle.
• Be cautious with rapid temperature or pressure changes, for example air transport or winter transitions from indoors to outdoors, which can cause dew point condensation inside sealed containers.
• If any doubt arises, recondition the rope in a dry room and test it with the portable tester before storing it again.

Multi-day Use, open storage

• For consecutive days of use, recondition the rope overnight in a dry, well-ventilated area such as a trailer, truck, or dry room.
• Do not store in sealed bags or containers during reconditioning, allow humidity to evaporate.
• Refer to the general user manual for more details. The rope should never remain outdoors overnight without being reconditioned.

Visual Inspection and Additional Material

Apply the inspection guidelines from the general user manual. Inspect the entire length of the rope before and after each use for discoloration, stiffness, fraying, cuts, contamination, or texture changes that may indicate moisture absorption or degradation. Reference photos and comparison samples are helpful to identify wear or damage early.

In summary, the Barry D.E.W. Vicinity Rope™ performs exceptionally well under realistic proximity conditions when properly conditioned, tested, and maintained. Regular drying, testing, and careful visual inspection are essential to ensure safety, reliability, and consistent performance.

Barry D.E.W. Vicinity Rope™ – Inspection Reference Table

Condition	Description of Inspection
	New rope and reference New rope images or samples are a useful reference to validate the condition of a rope. Log reference images. Barry can provide original reference images or samples upon request.
	Minor surface abrasion If the rope passes the electrical test before use, minor surface abrasion may be tolerated and the rope can remain in service. Closely monitor the rope in service and remove it if abrasion progresses or becomes excessive.
	Excessive abrasion Rope showing excessive external must be removed from service.
	Cut strands The Barry D.E.W. Vicinity Rope™ and Vicinity HD Rope™ use kernmantle-style construction, with a bright white core and a green sheath with black tracers. The sheath is about 10% of total strength, the core is the primary load-bearing element. If the white core is exposed, retire the rope immediately. The visible core serves as a warning indicator.
	Melting or glazing Melting or glazing from excessive heat or intensive abrasion requires immediate removal from service.
	Discoloration or uneven coloration Color changes can result from chemicals or heat. Identify the source. If the rope contacted damaging substances, remove it from service.
	Compression or diameter inconsistency Inspect any fiber-set or visible deformation in load zones. If the compressed area does not return to normal shape, retire the rope from service.
	Core Condition Inspection Perform a tactile inspection of the rope’s core along its entire length to detect internal damage such as hard spots, swelling, or crushed or soft areas. Any irregularity indicates potential internal deterioration, and the rope should be removed from service if abnormal zones are found.