We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Roles

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Does an Electrical Lineman Do?

By Kirsten C. Tynan
Updated: Mar 03, 2024

An electrician who works outdoors installing and maintaining equipment and facilities for electrical power transmission and distribution is known as an electrical lineman. The electrical power lineman’s tasks may include installation and repair of overhead or underground power lines as well as installation, maintenance, and repair of other electrical subsystems and components. Advanced linemen may also be involved in the design and layout of electrical systems. Other electricians, such as those who work on indoor electrical systems or on low voltage equipment for communications systems, are not considered electrical linemen.

Career progression for an electrical lineman typically spans several years of work accompanied by continuing education and sometimes professional testing. Before any work is performed, a candidate will typically spend several weeks in pre-apprenticeship training. Upon successful completion of such training, the candidate becomes an apprentice working for several years under the supervision of a more advanced lineman. Once the apprentice phase has been completed, the electrical lineman becomes a journeyman who may supervise apprentices and may perform most electrical tasks unsupervised, with the exception of design of electrical systems. A journeyman may advance to the master phase where he or she may perform all electrical tasks unsupervised including design and layout of electrical systems. The master lineman also supervises both journeymen and apprentices.

Training as an electrical lineman is extensive and ongoing but begins in lineman school. Pre-apprenticeship electrical lineman training includes classroom work such as mathematics for electrical calculations, electrical principles and circuit analysis, operation of power systems components, and more. Simulated and on-the-job training includes climbing power poles, using the lineman’s tools, reading voltages, troubleshooting, installing and repairing power lines and other hardware, and bucket truck operations needed for overhead work. Due to the hazardous nature of the lineman’s work, extensive training in fire and electrical safety are typically provided as well as fall protection training for safe work on overhead power lines.

Safety is a significant concern for the lineman who typically works on high voltage electrical systems often high above the ground. Fall protection for those working overhead on poles or steel structures may include harnesses and belts that catch the climber in the event of a fall and lift buckets to elevate the lineman in order to avoid climbing risks. Protective equipment for high voltage electric work may include such things as insulated gloves and glove liners as well as rubber safety blankets for additional insulation. Other personal protective equipment such as hard hats, steel-toed boots, and eye protection are also commonly used.

Practical Adult Insights is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By Logicfest — On Feb 18, 2014

An electrical lineman is your best friend when your power goes out. Those cats often have to work odd hours and in horrible weather conditions dealing with power outages and it's kind of like Christmas morning when you see them in your neighborhood after you've been without power for a day or two.

Want to know how good your power company is? See how many electrical linemen they have on call to deal with emergencies -- the crummy companies will take forever to fix problems because they've cut that part of their budgets.

Share
https://www.practicaladultinsights.com/what-does-an-electrical-lineman-do.htm
Practical Adult Insights, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Practical Adult Insights, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.