Electrical Lineman

What is an electrical lineman? An electrical lineman, sometimes referred to as a utility lineman, electric lineman, journeyman lineman or power lineman (after one completes lineman training and after being an apprentice lineman).

An electrical lineman installs, repairs and maintains transmission and distribution electric power grids. A lineman works on high voltage wires or conductors and must adhere to the most stringent safety rules and protocols, as electrical work is inherently dangerous. It is very popular to be a member of a union, or the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers).

How does one become a One can go to a lineman school or training center and work for a utility company and receive on-the-job-training as an apprentice lineman.

Typically an apprenticeship lasts 3 to 4 years and contains up to 6 or 7 steps. With some companies, you must first be a groundman which is an entry level job. As a groundman, one assists linemen in their duties by driving heavy line trucks or bucket trucks and sorting and organizing line tools, sending linemans tools up power poles by handline to the journeyman linemen and apprentices at work.

During a linemans apprenticeship, one will learn pole climbing, although at times he will ride in a bucket truck. Some linemen don't allow apprentices to use bucket trucks until they top out to journeyman. They will learn rigging techniques, safety and first aid, electrical theory, transformer hook-up and theory, wire stringing techniques, pole setting, covering techniques (primary voltages), use of rubber gloves and rubber protective equipment, and more.

Once one completes apprenticeship training, he becomes a journeyman lineman. A journeyman lineman or power lineman can now find work all over the world, and receive top pay. There are power lineman jobs and utility jobs posted on many different mediums. Various events, such as a linemans rodeo, are out there to showcase a linemans skills.

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