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TVPPA Lineman Training

 

We currently have two Lineman Training courses available: Apprentice Lineman and Advanced Lineman Training. Read more about each below.

For Frequently Asked Questions about the revised lineman program, click here.

Apprentice Lineman Training

Apprentice Lineman training introduces the beginning apprentice to the basic math, electricity and alternating current fundamental principles that are the groundwork for understanding the “hows and whys” of this profession. Students learn the basic tools and equipment used in everyday operations, and applications include stringing and sagging wire; underground distribution systems; transmission and distribution line maintenance; transformer connections; meter applications; substation operations; and phasing and measuring voltage and current.

The five laboratory sessions plus the final exam enable students to apply the knowledge learned from the correspondence units. Participants learn basic knots and safe climbing techniques, as well as pole-top rescue, both climbing skills necessary for overhead line construction. Participants construct and frame lines using specifications, and learn grounding and preparation of stress cones for underground cable. Effective job briefing and basic troubleshooting steps for overhead and underground systems are demonstrated, as well as transformer banking, bucket truck pre-trip inspection, and bucket truck rescue.

4 Correspondence Units / 5 Labs / 1 Workshop / 1 Final Exam

Pre-Apprentice Assessment Workshop

This intensive workshop is designed to help managers learn whether an employee is suited for the demanding role of Lineworker Apprentice. Candidates are assessed for their ability to learn the various aspects of line work, especially climbing. Individual sessions focus on the hazards of electricity, grounding, rigging, hand lines, and aluminum and copper ties. Participants stay physically and mentally busy for the entire six and a half days. In addition to classroom discussion and hands-on exercises, they are assigned homework and tested extensively. At the end of the week, managers are given a written assessment of candidates’ potential to perform line work under stress, their capacity to learn, and how well they follow orders. Individuals successfully completing this course will be eligible to receive credit toward TVPPA’s Lineworker Apprenticeship Climbing Lab.

Length: 6.5 days

Lab 1: Fundamentals

 

  • Safety
  • PPE inspection
  • Grounding
  • Rigging
  • Pole top rescue
  • Aluminum and copper ties
  • Minimum approach distances
  • Testing
Lab 2: Construction

 

  • Safety
  • Job briefings
  • Print reading
  • Guys and anchors
  • Minimum approach distances
  • Overhead construction
  • Grounding
  • Sagging
  • Aluminum ties
  • Single phase transformer theory
  • Testing
Lab 3: Operations

 

  • Safety
  • Insulation/Isolation
  • PPE standards
  • Minimum approach distances
  • Aerial lift pre-flight inspection/bucket safety
  • Three phase transformer theory
  • Energized system maintenance
  • Testing
  • Bucket truck rescue
Lab 4: Underground

 

  • Safety
  • Cable
  • Line location/fault finding
  • Elbows
  • Terminators
  • Grounding
  • URD transformers
  • URD operations/systems
  • URD troubleshooting
  • Tagging
  • Switching
  • Testing
Lab 5: Troubleshooting

 

  • Safety
  • PPE
  • Hot line tools
  • Protective devices
  • Substation
  • Meters and instruments
  • OSHA/NFPA standards
  • Single line drawing
  • Test voltage
  • Testing
Final Exam

 

Comprehensive exam required for completion of the TVPPA Lineman Apprenticeship Program. Includes written and skills lab elements. Critical elements and objectives must be passed to pass the exam.

Length: 2.5 days

Advanced Lineman Training

Protective Grounding Installing protective grounds and short-circuiting leads at the work site protects against the hazards of accidental energizing, static charges and induced voltages. Proper testing, installation and placement of protective grounds determine their effectiveness. This module teaches participants the principles of grounding, along with the reasons for grounding. It outlines the proper procedures and approved grounding equipment for installing temporary safe working grounds on de-energized circuits. Transformer Fundamentals A lineworker must be able to interpret information on transformer nomenclatures to assure proper and safe application of equipment and the most reliable service for the customer. This module provides a review of electrical measurements, Ohm’s Law, and series and parallel circuits, and how these apply to the operation of a transformer. Participants also discuss the theory of distribution transformer operations. Transformer Connections Each problem in the field communicates a possible source of trouble. A lineworker should stop to think out the problem, consider the circumstances, and measure and analyze the voltage readings to determine the trouble source. Participants in this module gain hands-on experience using miniature training transformers in troubleshooting exercises with actual 120/240 and 277/480 voltages.

Length: 3 days • CEUs: 2

Substation Operating Equipment Substations and switchyards may seem complex and confusing to untrained personnel, but once they are reduced to the basic components — which this module does — they are much easier to understand. Most substations and switchyards contain the following components: transformers; disconnecting devices such as air break switches, circuit switchers; and disconnects. Components may also include oil circuit breakers, vacuum circuit breakers, gas circuit breakers or air circuit breakers and monitoring devices including relays, fuses, current and potential transformers, and indicating meters. Participants learn the functions and safety requirements for working with each type of substation operating equipment. Schematic and One-Line Diagrams This module enables the lineworker to identify problems that could occur within a substation on a trouble call. This session reviews transformers and circuit breaker drawing.

Length: 3 days • CEUs: 2.1 Required course: AdvLC 1

Advanced Transformer When servicing transformer banks in an emergency situation, understanding transformer bank sequence is essential. This module teaches three-phase connections, including troubleshooting within these connections. Phasers Voltage phasers are key to transformer bank construction, troubleshooting and emergency transformer bank problem-solving, and lineworkers with an understanding of voltage phasers can more effectively analyze transformer bank problems. This module provides hands-on problem solving through study and analysis of miniature transformers.

Length: 3 days • CEUs: 2.1 Required course: AdvLC 2

System Protective Devices Lineworkers need to know how system protective devices operate in emergency situations, to protect equipment from damage, reduce customer outages and limit hazards to life and property. This module provides training on reclosers as well as fuses and sectionalizers. Voltage Regulators and Settings Proper voltage regulation is important to both customer satisfaction and economic operation of a utility system. Voltages that are too high cause premature equipment failure; voltages that are too low result in dissatisfied customers. This module will teach lineworkers how to properly isolate a voltage regulator and familiarize them with the operating principles and settings of voltage regulators.

Length: 3 days • CEUs: 2.1 Required course: AdvLC 3

Pad Mounted Transformers and Switching Cabinets This module discusses the features of “live front” and “dead front” pad-mounted transformers so that line workers can connect, maintain and operate these units correctly. Participants also learn to operate switching units correctly to ensure safety and maintain electric service continuity. Underground Components Proper installation and operation of underground systems is critical to keeping them maintenance- free. With the many different types of components and accessories — and with manufacturers developing new products each day — it can be difficult for utilities to know the correct procedures for each component. This module provides a comprehensive review of underground systems, with an emphasis on proper installation and operating methods. Cable Preparation When working with high voltage insulated cable, not following proper procedures can result in tragedy. In this module, lineworkers learn the proper, manufacturer-recommended techniques to prepare cable for splicing and terminating.

Length: 3 days • CEUs: 2.1 Required course: AdvLC 4