Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Career Description: Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.

Industry: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Other Job Titles for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Adhere to safety practices and procedures, such as checking equipment regularly and erecting barriers around work areas.
• 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.
• Place insulating or fireproofing materials over conductors and joints.
• Install, maintain, and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems, including conduits, cables, wires, and related equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switches.
• Identify defective sectionalizing devices, circuit breakers, fuses, voltage regulators, transformers, switches, relays, or wiring, using wiring diagrams and electrical-testing instruments.
• Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.
• Coordinate work assignment preparation and completion with other workers.
• Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems, using reading and testing instruments.
• String wire conductors and cables between poles, towers, trenches, pylons, and buildings, setting lines in place and using winches to adjust tension.
• Test conductors, according to electrical diagrams and specifications, to identify corresponding conductors and to prevent incorrect connections.
• Replace or straighten damaged poles.
• Install watt-hour meters and connect service drops between power lines and consumers' facilities.
• Attach cross-arms, insulators, and auxiliary equipment to poles prior to installing them.
• Travel in trucks, helicopters, and airplanes to inspect lines for freedom from obstruction and adequacy of insulation.
• Dig holes, using augers, and set poles, using cranes and power equipment.
• Trim trees that could be hazardous to the functioning of cables or wires.
• Splice or solder cables together or to overhead transmission lines, customer service lines, or street light lines, using hand tools, epoxies, or specialized equipment.
• Cut and peel lead sheathing and insulation from defective or newly installed cables and conduits prior to splicing.
• 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.
• Lay underground cable directly in trenches, or string it through conduit running through the trenches.
• Cut trenches for laying underground cables, using trenchers and cable plows.
• Drain and filter transformer oil and refill transformers with oil until coils are submerged.
• Position and level battery cells, anodes, or cathodes, using hoists or leveling jacks, or signal other workers to perform positioning and leveling.
• Verify and adjust alignments and dimensions of parts, using gauges and tracing lathes.
• Test equipment for overheating, using speed gauges and thermometers.
• Bolt porcelain insulators to wood parts in order to assemble hot stools.
• Pour compounds into transformer-case terminal openings in order to seal out moisture.
• Test conditions, fluid levels, and specific gravities of electrolyte cells, using voltmeters, hydrometers, and thermometers.
• Clean, rinse, and dry transformer cases, using boiling water, scrapers, solvents, hoses, and cloths.
• Inspect batteries for structural defects such as dented cans, damaged carbon rods and terminals, and defective seals.
• Steam-clean polishing and buffing wheels to remove abrasives and bonding materials, and spray, brush, or recoat surfaces as necessary.
• Test battery charges, and replace or recharge batteries as necessary.
• Repair and operate battery-charging equipment.
• Add water or acid to battery cell solutions to obtain specified concentrations.
• Sharpen tools such as saws, picks, shovels, screwdrivers, and scoops, either manually or by using bench grinders and emery wheels.
• Seal joints with putty, mortar, and asbestos, using putty extruders and knives.
• Hammer out dents and twists in tools and equipment.

Emerging Tasks

• Calibrate instrumentation such as meters, gauges, and regulators for pressure, temperature, flow, and level.
• Clean and lubricate bicycle parts.
• Help customers select bicycles that fit their body size and intended use of the bicycle.
• Install and adjust brakes and brake pads.
• Install new tires and tubes.
• Order bicycle parts.
• Sell bicycles and accessories.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• 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).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• 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.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• analyze operation of malfunctioning electrical or electronic equipment
• apply cleaning solvents
• climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles
• de-energize high tension power lines for repairs
• distinguish colors
• drive automobile, van, or light truck
• erect power or communication poles or towers
• fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
• install electrical conduit or tubing
• install power or communication lines, lead-in lines or cables
• install/connect electrical equipment to power circuit
• install/string electrical or electronic cable or wiring
• move or fit heavy objects
• perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
• read blueprints
• read schematics
• read tape measure
• read technical drawings
• repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
• repair power or communication lines
• solder electrical or electronic connections or components
• splice electric cable
• splice electric or communications trunk lines
• test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
• use electrical line repair equipment
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use high voltage apparatus
• use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
• use soldering equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• test materials or solutions
• understand service or repair manuals
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use basic carpentry techniques
• use concrete fabrication techniques
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use high voltage apparatus
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use soldering equipment
• use two-way radio or mobile phone
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• use hand or power tools
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use oscilloscopes in electronics repair
• use precision tools in electronics repair
• use soldering equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• work as a team member
• use precision tools in electronics repair
• use pressure gauges
• use soldering equipment
• use spray application production equipment
• use spray paint equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• verify bank or financial transactions
• use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• write vehicle damage repair estimates
• use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use pneumatic tools
• use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
• use soldering equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• write vehicle damage repair estimates
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use electronic calibration devices
• use engine diagnostic equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use knowledge of metric system
• use knowledge of welding filler rod types
• use lifting equipment in vehicle repair setting
• use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
• use pneumatic tools
• use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use soldering equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$25.27
• Average annual wage (2007) - $52,570.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 7.23%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 8,111
• Employment (2006): 112,183

• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
• Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
• Helpers--Electricians
• Rail Car Repairers
• Signal and Track Switch Repairers
• Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
• Rail Car Repairers
• Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers