What is Ansi standard 92.2 category 'A'?

Answer 1

Category A is a dielectric rating of an aerial device. Commonly this is known as "barehand" unit rating. In order for a aerial device to be classified as Category A it must be equipped by the manufacturer with an on-board current meter in addition to modifications to the aerial which bond all parts of the machine together and to the chassis.

The unit then also must be tested according to ANSI 92.2 2009 section 5 including a dielectric test to the qualification voltage. This is commonly 500 Kv, testing to this range of voltage is only done by select companies across the United States and must be maintained at the intervals in the ANSI standard.

It is highly recommended to contact the manufacturer of the aerial device to verify whether the unit in question is equipped for Category A service. If not it can be added by the manufacturer retro actively but is a significant expense.

If the equipment was manufactured with Catergory A dielectric rating the information about maintenance requirements will be in the maintenance manual.

You can acquire a copy of an excerpt of the ANSI manual of responsibilities from the ANSI.org website, the scaffold industry or the manufacturer of the aerial device.