Narrative:

This has been an ongoing issue with myself and a few others. Ramp does not connect the ground power [electrical] cords to the aircraft correctly. The airbus series uses a yellow stress relief strap to keep the ground power cord held in place. Seventy percent of the time these yellow straps are not attached; or attached improperly. When the aircraft is fueled and being loaded with cargo and passengers; the aircraft will move about; even though it may not move much; the power cords very often lose connection and the aircraft loses power. Ramp personnel also leave the hoist cable connected and raised off the ground from a few feet to as high as the jetway bridge. This puts a strain on the power cord; pulling it sideways from the aircraft; over time the power cord plugs are weakened and fail. It is also a safety hazard for those working around the aircraft as the steel cable and [electrical] power cord are in the way. If the switch on the power cord plug failed; with the lift cables still attached; and it reeled in the cable; the power plug would be ripped from the aircraft. I have spoken to the ramp supervisor several times on this matter and it still has not been addressed.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Line Mechanic reports that ramp personnel do not connect the ground power electrical cords to their A319/ A320 aircraft correctly. Ramp also leaves the hoist cable connected and raised off the ground; putting strain on the electrical power cord; pulling the power cord sideways. If hoist motor switch failed; the lift cables could rip power cord from aircraft.

Narrative: This has been an ongoing issue with myself and a few others. Ramp does not connect the ground power [electrical] cords to the aircraft correctly. The Airbus series uses a yellow stress relief strap to keep the ground power cord held in place. Seventy percent of the time these yellow straps are not attached; or attached improperly. When the aircraft is fueled and being loaded with cargo and passengers; the aircraft will move about; even though it may not move much; the power cords very often lose connection and the aircraft loses power. Ramp personnel also leave the hoist cable connected and raised off the ground from a few feet to as high as the jetway bridge. This puts a strain on the power cord; pulling it sideways from the aircraft; over time the power cord plugs are weakened and fail. It is also a safety hazard for those working around the aircraft as the steel cable and [electrical] power cord are in the way. If the switch on the power cord plug failed; with the lift cables still attached; and it reeled in the cable; the power plug would be ripped from the aircraft. I have spoken to the Ramp Supervisor several times on this matter and it still has not been addressed.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.