How to become an Electrical Linesperson

Duties & Tasks of an Electrical Linesperson

Electrical linespeople:

• Patrol electrical lines and inspect poles and towers
• Install earth stakes, power poles, towers and guy wires using power tools and other equipment
• Install and maintain aerial equipment such as conductors, cross arms, insulators, street lights, customer supply points, transformers, pole-mounted circuit breakers and switches
• Trim tree branches clear of power lines using machinery
• Cover live wire with insulating materials
• Adjust the tension of cables and join overhead conductors using compression and wrap-on fittings
• Perform emergency repairs such as isolating live wires
• Ensure that conductors are correctly connected between the mains and customers' premises when performing installations or repairs
• Monitor safe working conditions, and practise resuscitation, rescue and first aid procedures.

Tasks

• Maintaining poles and associated hardware, and continuity of electrical supply and street lighting
• Conducting routine maintenance on the aerial and underground electricity supply network
• Installing and maintaining equipment associated with electrical supply such as transformers
• Conducting low-voltage switching operations
• Preparing lowand high-voltage cable joints and cable terminations while connecting and installing electrical equipment and overhead lines
• Attending to electrical breakdown and emergencies
• Using heavy plant equipment such as elevated work platforms and portable equipment such as hydraulic drills
• Fitting pole hardware and crossarms
• Installing conductors and aerial equipment, and underground cables and equipment
• May undertake substation installation and maintenance, and specialised testing and revenue meter installation

Working conditions for an Electrical Linesperson

As electrical linespeople work with high and low voltages at considerable heights, they are given extensive training in safety procedures. They may be called out during emergencies at any time of the day or night and in all weather conditions.

Employment Opportunities for an Electrical Linesperson

Most electrical linespeople are employed by major electricity suppliers and contracting companies working within the electricity supply industry. There are also opportunities for employment with local government authorities that have their own electricity supplies and with public transport authorities. Work is available in capital cities and large industrial centres. In country towns, there is usually a resident electrical linesperson. Electrical linespeople working for the railways or electricity authorities may be required to work away from home.

Specializations

Electrical Linesperson

Electrical linespersons install, repair and maintain overhead lines and cables carrying electricity to domestic, commercial and industrial users and electric train services.

• 

  Average age

  40

• 

  Future Growth

  N/A

• 

  Gender Share

  2% female

• 

  Average full-time

  44 hours

• 

  Weekly Pay

  N/A

• 

  Skill level rating

  Medium skill

• 

  Unemployment

  Lower unemployment

• 

  Full-Time Share

  93%

• 

  Employment Size

  6,300

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  Employment by state

  ACT: 0.9%
  NSW: 29.5%
  NT: 1.0%
  QLD: 21.2%
  SA: 8.0%
  TAS: 2.6%
  VIC: 24.2%
  WA: 12.7%
  
• 

  Age brackets

  15-19: 1%
  20-24: 8.4%
  25-34: 32.1%
  35-44: 22.4%
  45-54: 23.2%
  55-59: 8.7%
  60-64: 3.3%
  65 and Over: 0.8%
  
• 

  Education level

  Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 3.8%
  Bachelor degree: 1.9%
  Below Year 10: 0%
  Certificate III/IV: 82.8%
  Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 0.1%
  Year 10 and below: 3.6%
  Year 11: 1.4%
  Year 12: 6.3%
  Years 11 & 10: 0%