Outside Lineman

IBEW members jointly trained by the IBEW and NECA can be seen constructing transmission lines which bring power from far away generating plants to local service areas.

Apprentices learn to employ safe practices while working under the supervision of a Journey-Level WorkerLineman.

Outside Linemen do not always have the comfort of performing their work from a bucket truck. Linemen must develop climbing skills, as much of their work is atop wooden poles. Linemen often find themselves working in bad weather and storms in order to maintain electrical power for homes, hospital, factories and schools.

Job Description

Outside Linemen ensure that electrical power is properly distributed from power plant generation facilities to end-users. They are responsible for the installation and maintenance of all types of power transmission and distribution systems for industrial, commercial, and residential markets. The duties of an outside lineman are described below. The number next to each duty is the average of the percentage of journey-level workersreporting that they perform that task.

Installing and Maintaining Transformers and Other Equipment
96%
Stringing New Wire or Maintaining Old Wire
93%
Supervising Journey-Level Workersand Apprentices
92%
Installing and Maintaining Insulators
91%
Establishing Work Position for Maintaining and Repairing Overhead Distribution or Transmission Lines
91%
Planning and Initiating Project
87%
Establishing OSHA and Customer Safety Requirements
81%
Setting of Towers, Poles and Construction of Other Devices to Hold Electrical Wiring
81%
Installing, Repairing and Maintaining an Underground Electrical Distribution System
69%
Assembly and Erection of Substations
65%
Installing, Maintaining and Repairing Traffic or Train Signals and Outdoor Lighting
56%
Tree Trimming
50%

Tools Of The Trade

Outside linemen use a broad array of tools. We have classified the tools by how frequently you will likely need to use them.
Daily
Hand tools: plumb bob, pliers, needle nose pliers, slip joint pliers, hammer, wire cutters, screw driver, measuring tape, ruler, socket set, wrench, crimping tools, hand drill, shovel, ladder, knife, tamp tool, hoist come a long.
Power-assisted tools: hand drill
Meters: voltmeter
Heavy equipment: bucket truck, auger
Climbing tools: gaffs, safety belt, body belt
Hot sticks: switch stick, universal “gripall” stick (shot gun)
Weekly
Hand tools: file, allen wrench, hacksaw, handsaw, block and tackle, ladder.
Power-assisted tools: electric saber saw, electric roto hammer drill.
Meters: ammeter.
Monthly
Hand tools: level, fish tape, pipe wrench, wire stripper
Power-assisted tools: roto stripper, wire tugger
Heavy equipment: crane
Hot sticks: auxiliary arm, insulated tension link, tie stick, link stick
Occasionally
Hand tools: punch, fuse pullers, clamps, torque wrench, architect scale, keyhole saw, wood chisel, hand bender, transit, adapter cables, hand reamer, knock out sets, awl vise, caliper
Power-assisted tools: soldering iron, drill press, gas-operated auger, air hammer, coring machine to drill through concrete, hydraulic bender, power cutting and threading machine, roto stripper, water pump, electric screw gun, electric saber saw, fiber optic fusion splicer, electric roto hammer drill
Meters: oscilloscope, wattmeter, optical power meter, MEGGER, dielectric test set to hipot cable, dynamometer, optical time-domain reflectometers
Heavy equipment: trencher, electric lift, power borer, derrick, dozer, backhoe, caterpillar
Climbing tools: skates
Hot sticks: wire tongs, wire tong supports, strain carrier, platform, saddle, lever lift, gin pole