So you want to become a Power Lineman? Written by TexasLineworker and Lineman458 Have you ever considered the steps that a Power Lineman has to take to get to the status of Journeyman Lineman? You have decided you want to be a Power Lineman, but you don't know what it would involve. I want to help lead you through the steps, from Groundman (Grunt), Operator, 1st step, 2nd step , 3rd step, 4th step - Apprentice Lineman, and finally on to a Journeyman Lineman (Master).......read more..... | |
The process will depend on if you are going to be a powerline contractor or work for a publicly owned municipality or co-op. I work for a municipality. I hired in with the assignment of clearing the right of way for a small town Power System. after a year I was offered the opportunity to enter the apprenticeship. I was considered a groundman for the first 6 months. My responsibilities as a groundman included stocking the truck with materials that were used each day, load the truck for the days work, and watch and learn from the linemen I was working with. I would prepare materials on the ground for the linemen to use on the pole. The prime objective of a groundman is to learn what the lineman is going to need and have it ready to hang before he needs it. You also have to learn what all the materials are called and where they go on the truck, as you are responsible for them all being replaced at the end of the day Power Lineman Message Board Discussions - 1 | 2 | 3
The six month groundman period is followed by the 1st step apprentice. This is where you usually attend a climbing school to learn to climb utility poles, or find out if you can learn to climb. The 1st step apprentice is allowed to climb utility poles where there are no energized powerlines. As a 1st step apprentice you are expected to do a considerable amount of the groundman work as well. You will still be learning material names and what the materials are used for in this step. From this point on each step should last one year depending on your abilities and motivation. You will have to have approval from your immediate supervisor as well as your general foreman to move on to each new level. The 2nd step linemans apprentice is allowed to climb utility poles with low voltage on the pole, but is not allowed to handle any voltage at this point. This step consists of running electical services to new houses or hanging security lights, only working on wires that are dead, or have no electricity passing through them. The 3rd step linemans apprentice consists of more responsibility, as you are allowed to work secondary voltage from the pole. This means you can handle wires with low voltage running through them, with the use of rubber gloves. This step also lets you start learning about power transformer connections and building power transformer banks (tying 2 or more transformers together). The 4th step linemans apprentice is the step where most apprentices get to ease off the climbing and start working out of a bucket truck. This step also brings considerably more responsibility, as you will start handling high voltage wires with the use of rubber gloves. This brings greater risk of injury or death to you as well as others working near you. You will learn here how to set up the bucket truck to help you do your job efficiently and make it easier on you. In essence, after you accomplish these steps you have completed a 4 year degree to be a journeyman lineman. You will learn new things as long as you work in the power industry. You will never know everything about linework, but with hard work and motivation you will have become someone who can be very proud of their accomplishments. You will also have a career that not just everyone can do. Find out more information about being an Electrical Lineman and locate a Lineman School on UtilityInnovations.com
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