Hands-On Training Courses
Training courses will be offered at the Rodeo grounds. These hands-on, interactive training classes are open to both journeymen and apprentice lineworkers. Registration is per person, per course.
- Three-Phase Transformer Banking and Troubleshooting
Friday, March 28, 8 - 9:30 a.m.
Instructors: Jay Reading, Assistant Director of Technical Services, and Cody Raveling, Assistant Director of Education and Outreach, Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association
- The Hazards of Backfeed in Three-Phase URD Transformers
Friday, March 28, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Instructor: Gaspo Dixon, Safety And Training Specialist, Memphis Light Gas and Water, Tennessee.
Apprentice Events
Hurtman Rescue
This event will be simulating the rescue of an injured worker. Construction will consist of an 8’ wooden crossarm mounted on a 40’ wood pole. Time starts at the judge’s signal with apprentice standing at least an arm’s length from pole in any direction. Note: The lineman’s belt, hooks and rubber gloves in bag will be lying on the ground at arm’s length from the pole. (You may tool up bare handed) Rubber gloves required before touching pole!
Mean Time: 4 Minutes | Drop Dead Time: 6 Minutes
Event Overview
Event Specs and Pictures
Lightning Arrester Jumper Replacement
The Apprentice will be replacing (2) lightning arrester jumpers that are mounted on an 8’ wooden crossarm 30” below the top crossarm at the top of a 40’ wood pole. There will be a neutral conductor 9’ down from the top arm and a stick bag with a shotgun stick. The pole ground will stop just below the neutral about 6”. The Apprentice SHALL wear primary rubber gloves ground to ground.
Mean Time: 10 Minutes | Drop Dead Time: 15 Minutes
Event Overview
Event Specs and Pictures
Obstacle Course
The Apprentice will climb a 40’ pole with (3) 8’ cross-arms. The first cross-arm, which is mounted at 22’, is equipped with a drop-in pin with a polymer insulator. The second cross arm is mounted at 28’ and equipped with a 100-amp fuse cut-out attached with an “L” bracket on both sides. The top cross-arm, which is mounted at 33’, will be equipped with a polymer dead-end insulator attached to the arm with a 5/8” eye bolt. The event will begin with the Apprentice raising the fiberglass extension stick and opening the cutout door. The door will be brought to the ground and fully retract the stick. The Apprentice then tools up and ascends the pole. The Apprentice is required to stop at each arm and relocate the arm-mounted device to the opposite end of the arm. Once everything is relocated, the Apprentice will climb down, take off climbing gear re-install the fuse barrel in the cut-out, and close it with a fiberglass extension stick. Time stops when the Apprentice has the fiberglass extension stick fully retracted. Wearing climbing gear or climbing belts will not be allowed walking into the event.
NOTE: A handline must be hung prior to working at every crossarm.
Event Overview
Event Specs and Pictures
Sidewalk Guy Installation
The Apprentice will begin with event fully constructed. The Apprentice will disassemble 10M wrap-lock preform from the anchor point. Apprentice will ascend the pole and disassemble guy wire from the sidewalk guy strut and unpin the entire guy from the top of the pole. Guy wire assembly must be lowered to the ground using a hand line and then pulled back up and reattached. Apprentice will reassemble sidewalk guy strut and re-pull the guy on the ground at the anchor point with a new wrap-lock preform 10M.
Mean Time: 12 Minutes | Drop Dead Time: 18 Minutes
Event Overview
Event Specs and Pictures
Written Test
The written test is a timed 20-minute test given annually to encourage safety at all times when working in the field and during competitions, such as the Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo. This written test event takes place on Friday afternoon before the Saturday field events.1 Competitors should bring their scorebook with them to the test.
Drop Dead Time: 20 Minutes
Event Overview
Journeyman Events
Hurtman Rescue
This event will simulate the rescue of an injured worker. Construction will consist of an 8’ wooden crossarm mounted on a 40’ wood pole. Time starts at the judge’s signal with climber standing at least an arm’s length from pole in any direction. The lineworker’s belt, hooks, and rubber gloves in glove bag will be lying on the ground at arm’s length from the pole. Climber may tool up bare handed, but rubber gloves are required before touching pole!
Note: Both journeymen will compete in this event. Scores and times will be averaged and entered as one score.
Mean Time: 4 Minutes | Drop Dead Time: 6 Minutes
Event Overview
Event Specs and Pictures
4KV Crossarm Change Out
Teams will be replacing an 8-foot wooden crossarm and insulators. The two-phase conductors #2 AAAC are considered energized at 4kV. A complete set of all necessary hardware will be available on the ground at each event pole. The new crossarm and insulators will be assembled after time starts. Competitors will replace existing crossarm with new equipment and re-secure conductors with new wrap lock ties. All insulators must be removed from crossarm with the nut/square washers back on the stud bolts before the event is considered complete.
Mean Time: 10 Minutes | Drop Dead Time: 15 Minutes
Event Overview
Event Specs and Pictures
4KV Double Dead-End Bell Change Out
This event is a 4KV-simulated energized event. Rubber gloves shall be worn. The primary is #2 AAC with #4 CU over the arm jumpers on an 8' fiberglass cross arm. This event will consist of changing all 4 dead-end insulators. Continuity must be maintained with the "over arm jumper" or by means of a temporary jumper. Adequate covering must be used to protect from violating M.A.D. or accidentally energizing hardware, pole, and or cross arms. Tools used for this event must be approved live line tools rated for 4KV or above. Hoists shall be utilized. No blocks or jack straps allowed.
Mean Time: 8 Minutes | Drop Dead Time: 12 Minutes
Event Overview
Event Specs and Pictures
12KV Three-Phase Conductor Tie-In
This is a de-energized and grounded event. Conductors will be #2 AAC. The first climber will ascend the pole, install rollers, untie conductors and drop out old grommets. Once conductors are secured in rollers, the first climber will descend the pole. Once the first climber has both feet on the ground and the fall arrest removed from the pole, the second climber will ascend the pole. The second climber will tie in all 3 phases and the neutral with pre-formed wrap lock ties including new grommets. Once conductors are tied in, the rollers shall be removed and stored on the tarp. Time stops when all climbers are on the ground and all materials are back on the tarp. The neutral roller will be hung from an eye nut on the neutral spool bolt (see event pictures). The eye nut will not be removed during the event.
Mean Time: 8 Minutes | Drop Dead Time: 12 Minutes
Event Overview
Event Specs and Pictures
12KV Riser Pole Arrester Replacement
This event will be considered energized and consist of replacing an 12KV riser lightning arrestor. There will be a 25 KVA pad mount transformer 8 feet away from the pole radial fed from the riser. Competitors must open the cutout and bring door to the ground with an extendo stick. The cable feeding into the radial fed transformer must be properly tested and grounded to remove static charge. The competitors shall isolate the cutout and replace the lightning arrestor. Once competitors have replaced the arrestor, reconnected the top of cutout, and removed the ground, they may reenergize the cable and transformer. Check for proper secondary voltage shall be done. Time will stop when transformer lid is closed and secured by penta bolt.
Mean Time: 8 Minutes | Drop Dead Time: 12 Minutes
Event Overview
Event Specs and Pictures
Competition Eligibility
APPA Member Utility: All participants must be employed by an APPA member municipal utility, joint action agency, or state/regional association.
Team: A team consists of two journeyman linemen and one ground support person. This three-person team is permitted to rotate roles between events. An apprentice can serve as the ground support person on the team.
Alternates: If a team member can no longer continue to participate, that individual is out of the competition for the remainder of the event. The team can then substitute a registered alternate for the missing team member. The groundman can be an alternate if he/she is a journeyman lineworker. The activation of an alternate within the team must be approved by the Journeyman Master Judge.
Apprentice: A person is considered an apprentice for four years after he/she enters an apprentice program.
Questions?
For answers to event-specific questions, visit the FAQs page. For general rodeo questions, contact [email protected].