Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Also called: A Class Lineman, Aerial Lineman, Apprentice Lineman Third Step, Cable Inspector, Cable Installer Repairer

Varies

estimated salary

Electrical power-line installers and repairers install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy-duty transmission towers.

  • Adhere to safety practices and procedures, such as checking equipment regularly and erecting barriers around work areas.
  • Test conductors, according to electrical diagrams and specifications, to identify corresponding conductors and to prevent incorrect connections.
  • Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.
  • Climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment.
  • Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.
  • Identify defective sectionalizing devices, circuit breakers, fuses, voltage regulators, transformers, switches, relays, or wiring, using wiring diagrams and electrical-testing instruments.
  • Install, maintain, and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems, including conduits, cables, wires, and related equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switches.
  • Dig holes, using augers, and set poles, using cranes and power equipment.
  • Place insulating or fireproofing materials over conductors and joints.
  • Install watt-hour meters and connect service drops between power lines and consumers' facilities.
  • Travel in trucks, helicopters, and airplanes to inspect lines for freedom from obstruction and adequacy of insulation.
  • Splice or solder cables together or to overhead transmission lines, customer service lines, or street light lines, using hand tools, epoxies, or specialized equipment.
  • String wire conductors and cables between poles, towers, trenches, pylons, and buildings, setting lines in place and using winches to adjust tension.
  • Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems, using reading and testing instruments.
  • Attach cross-arms, insulators, and auxiliary equipment to poles prior to installing them.
  • Coordinate work assignment preparation and completion with other workers.
  • Replace or straighten damaged poles.
  • Trim trees that could be hazardous to the functioning of cables or wires.
  • Lay underground cable directly in trenches, or string it through conduit running through the trenches.
  • Clean, tin, and splice corresponding conductors by twisting ends together or by joining ends with metal clamps and soldering connections.
  • Pull up cable by hand from large reels mounted on trucks.
  • Cut and peel lead sheathing and insulation from defective or newly installed cables and conduits prior to splicing.
  • Cut trenches for laying underground cables, using trenchers and cable plows.
Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Monitor work areas or procedures to ensure compliance with safety procedures.
  • Control power supply connections.
  • Climb equipment or structures to access work areas.
  • Install insulation in equipment or structures.
  • Assemble electrical components, subsystems, or systems.
  • Repair electrical circuits or wiring.
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Knowledge

Mechanical
  • Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skills

Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring
  • Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation Monitoring
  • Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Troubleshooting
  • Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
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Abilities

Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Multilimb Coordination
  • The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
  • The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software
  • Computer aided design and drafting CADD software Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
  • Word processing software
Electronic mail software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology
  • Email software
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