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Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Occupation Detailed Description

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

The main tasks and work activities of Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers are to 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. In general, for the Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers, active Listening, monitoring, operation Monitoring, critical Thinking and other 14 skills are required.
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious 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 TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers jobs. 39.71% of Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 59.06% of Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.61%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
39.71%
Post-Secondary Certificate
59.06%
Some College Courses
0.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.61%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.01%

Tasks and Work Activities of Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

  • 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.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Training and Teaching OthersIdentifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • 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.
  • Repair electrical circuits or wiring.
  • Assemble electrical components, subsystems, or systems.
  • Inspect electrical or electronic systems for defects.
  • Drive trucks or other vehicles to or at work sites.
  • Confer with coworkers to coordinate work activities.
  • Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
  • Run wiring to connect equipment.
  • Test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning.
  • Align equipment or machinery.
  • Connect electrical components or equipment.
  • Install metering equipment.
  • Assemble mechanical components or machine parts.
  • Travel to work sites to perform installation, repair or maintenance work.
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
  • Dig holes or trenches.
  • Cut materials according to specifications or needs.

Skills and Abilities for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

  • Active ListeningGiving 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.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • RepairingRepairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • Management of Personnel ResourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe 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 SensitivityThe 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 SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Gross Body EquilibriumThe ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Air compressorse.g. Air compressors
  • Pneumatic hammere.g. Air hammers
  • All terrain vehicles tracked or wheelede.g. All terrain vehicles ATV
  • Hex keyse.g. Allen wrenches
  • Ammeterse.g. Ammeters
  • Electrical insulatorse.g. Arc suppression blankets
  • Traffic signalse.g. Arrow boards
  • Protective glovese.g. Asbestos gloves
  • Hand drill bit for woode.g. Auger bits
  • Augerse.g. Augers
  • Awlse.g. Awls
  • Backhoese.g. Backhoes
  • Safety harnesses or beltse.g. Bashlin belts
  • Bench visese.g. Bench vises
  • Blocks or pulleyse.g. Block and tackle equipment
  • Recreational motorboatse.g. Boats
  • Bolt cutterse.g. Bolt cutters
  • Mask or respirators filters or accessoriese.g. Breathing protection equipment
  • Sawse.g. Buck saws
  • Articulating boom lifte.g. Bucket trucks
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge 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.