Journeyman Events

Four Competition Events

1. 12KV Post Insulator Change (Middle Position) Vertical Structure
2. Three Phase Insulator Change
3. 4KV Cutout Installation and Jumper Removal
4. Hurt Man Rescue

Apprentice Events

Four Competition Events

1. Hurtman Rescue
2. Written Test
3. Obstacle Course
4. 4KV Post Insulator Change (Rubber Gloves)

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Journeyman Event #1 - 12KV Post Insulator Change

Mean Time 18 Minutes

This event consists of replacing the post-type insulator in the middle position on a 3-phase pole (Vertical Construction).

• The conductor will be #2 ACSR.
• The conductor will be tied in with “distribution ties” (preform-ties)    with rubber-tube grommet.  (STF 1154-P, Preform)
• Ties must be sent up on the handline hook or in a bag.  Ties cannot be     carried up by climbers.
• Line Post type insulator is made by Victor Insulators and the Cat.                              number is 2127.
• Metal (bracket) arm is model number C2060010.  Chance is the manufacturer.  (Bracket, Post Insulator)
• The primary will be worked with Hot-sticks maintaining MAD.
• Sticks must be installed before any part of the tie is removed and must remain in place until tie is complete.  (Two points of control)
• The old rubber-tube grommet may fall to ground without a deduction.
• New rubber-tube grommet must be installed on conductor.

1. Teams will be allowed a five minute setup time before starting the event to prepare their work area and to ask questions.
2. Time starts when the first climber’s gaff goes into the pole.
3. Time stops when the last Journeyman descends and has one foot on the ground.
4. Climbers must wear class II or higher rubber gloves ground to ground.
5. The Neutral must be covered with rated cover.
6. Primary must be covered with rated hard cover on both sides.  (All phases to include the top phase).
7. Breaking/chipping of the insulators while performing this event will be a 10-point deduction.
   

Material Provided
One “F”-neck post type insulator.
One “distribution type” preform tie with new rubber-tube grommet.  Catalog number STF-1154-P (Preformed Line Products)

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Journeyman Event #2 - Three Phase Insulator Change

Mean Time 7 Minutes

This event consists of changing all three insulators on a narrow construction (fiberglass arm) pole. 
This line has never been energized. 
All three insulators are suspected of being damaged by a lightning strike and must be changed.

• The conductor will be #2 ACSR.
• The conductor will be tied in with #4 aluminum tie wire.
• Tie wire can be cut during set up time.  
• Tie wire cannot be rolled until time starts.
• Ties must be sent up on the handline hook or in a bag.  Ties cannot be carried up or down by climbers.
• Insulators are “F” neck. (Single skirt, 25KV)  
• Fiberglass arm is model number 00721, 1490.  Chance is the manufacturer.   The arm is 60 inches insulator to insulator.
• Breaking/chipping of the insulators while performing this event will be a 10-point deduction.
• Appropriate leather work gloves may be worn for this event.
• Tie for this event will be a Westco tie.  (Single-insulator, top tie)

1. Teams will be allowed a five minute setup time before starting the event to prepare their work area and to ask questions.
2. Time starts when the first climber’s gaff goes into the pole.
3. Time stops when the last Journeyman descends and has one foot on the ground.

Material Provided

• Three “F” Neck insulators.
• #4 aluminum tie wire

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Journeyman Event #3 - 4KV Cutout Installation and Jumper Removal

Mean Time 18 Minutes

This event involves the task of installing a 100-amp, 25KV, S & C cut-out and “L” - bracket on a single phase 90-degree double dead-end construction (A4).   The “L” - bracket must be installed in the predrilled holes with the machine bolts provided.  The existing jumper must be removed once the cut-out and “L” - bracket have been properly installed and will be re-used to put the event back to normal.  A mechanical jumper may be used to maintain continuity while the existing jumper is removed and the cut-out is installed.  The event must be returned to the condition it was in when the team started.  (All material to include the cutout and the “L” Bracket must be disassembled and left as it was at the start of the event)

• The conductor will be #2 ACSR.
• Neutral, clevis, and jumper must be covered with approved cover-up.
• Electrical continuity must be maintained at all times.
• All connections must be wire brushed.
• Material cannot be made up before time starts.
• Wire cannot be stripped before time starts.
• Teams will be given 6ft. of #2 Aluminum weatherproof wire (triplex hot-leg) to make-up the cut-out.
• Jumpers from cut-out will be installed using provided hotline clamps.
• The jumper to be removed will be 6 inches from the dead-end shoe and will be connected using two Blackburn single bolt parallel connectors.  (PAA6)
• Cut-out must be positioned on the L-bracket to insure that it is as close to the center of the angle as possible.
• The removed jumper will be reused at the conclusion of the event and must be put back exactly as it was when the event started.
• The source side of the structure will always be to the left, which is also the side where the L-Bracket and cut-out will be mounted.
• The cut-out must be made-up correctly as to indicate source and load side.
• The guy will have a fiberglass link stick (breaker) and will be considered as a ground.

1. Teams will be 5 minutes to set-up and ask questions.
2. Time will start when the first climbers gaff touches the pole.
3. Time will stop when both climbers safety off below the neutral, all material has been cleared from the handline, and “time” is called by a designated team member.  All cover-up must be removed before time can be called.
4. Judging will continue after time has stopped and until the team has returned the event to its original condition and left the event area. 

Material Provided

• 100 amp, 25 KV, S&C load break cut-out
• 12 5/8 inch “L” Bracket, see next page.
• (2) 12” machine bolts with washers
• 6ft. of #2 Aluminum weatherproof (triplex hot-leg) wire.
• (2) Hotline clamps.

Specifications for the "L" Bracket

Catalog Number for the “L” Bracket is AMI-356
Manufacturer is: ACTION MFG. 
“L” – Length is 12 5/8 inches
“H” – Height is 8 inches
Dimension “C” is 1 inch

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Journeyman and Apprentice - Hurt Man Rescue

SIMULATED HOT ON 40` POLE
Mean Time:  4 Minutes

• Time starts at the judge’s signal with lineman standing at least an arm’s length from pole. NOTE:  The lineman’s belt and hooks will be lying on the ground an arms length away 360 degrees.  Rubber gloves will be inside the glove bag cuffs down and fingers up at the start of the event.  If fingers protrude outside the bag the flap must be snapped.  Rubber gloves are required ground to ground.
• Looking at the pole from the cross arm side, the hand line will be hung on the right side simulating an injury to a right handed person.  The hurt man will hang on the cross arm side of the pole with both ends of the safety straps through the braces.  NOTE: Always take a minimum of one complete wrap around the cross arm before lowering the hurt man.
• Mannequin should be tied under arms with three half hitches (eye splice should not be used as part of hitches). The half hitch is the only acceptable knot.
• Be sure to call out “headache” loudly when you drop your sheave.  The sheave is to be dropped in the wood chips at the base of the pole.
• A Bashlin belt 57-N will be used on the mannequin.  You must cut the Bashlin 57-A insert.  There will be a 10 point deduction for cutting the belt in the wrong place.
• Mannequin should be moved smoothly to ground without coming into contact with the pole.
• Time is over when mannequin is on the ground and rope is slack.
• Contestants must use the hand line provided.
• Apprentice lineman will not be required to wear rubber gloves for this event.
•   The two climbing journeymen’s scores will not be averaged together.
•   Times will be averaged. 
•   The ground man will assist in hanging the hurt man mannequin for the next team.
•   Judges will use a 4” PVC conduit between the rope and the mannequin to evaluate the rope knot on both Apprentice and Team Hurtman Rescue.   (return to TOP of page)  

Hurt Man Rescue Drawing

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Apprentice Written Test

Apprentice Lineman Event
Timed Test:  20 minutes.

This will be a written test compiled of 30 questions.  The questions will be taken from the Lineman’s and Cableman’s Handbook 10th Edition.

1. The questions will be multiple choice and fill in the blank.
2. All apprentice linemen will take the test together at the beginning of the Rodeo.
3. All questions will count 2 points each.

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Apprentice Lineman Event #1 - Obstacle Course

Mean Time 10 Minutes

This event will require the Apprentice to open and remove the fuse barrel/ door from a 100-amp S & C switch with an extendo stick.  The Apprentice will then climb the pole and remove the 100-amp S & C switch mounted on an “L”-bracket (long type) from an 8-foot cross-arm and move it to the opposite end of the cross-arm.  (Switch cannot be slid off the end of the arm)  The “L”-bracket must be against the washer on the bolt that is in the horizontal hole closest to the end of the arm when installation is complete.  The Apprentice will then remove a saddle pin with insulator from the bottom 8-foot cross-arm and move it to the opposite end of the same cross-arm.  (Saddle Pin cannot be slid off the end of the arm) The bolts in the saddle pin must be against the washers on the bolt in the horizontal hole closest to the end of the arm when installation is complete.  The Apprentice must also change out both cross-arm braces on the bottom cross-arm.  Once the braces have been replaced the Apprentice will climb down the pole and with an extendo stick place the fuse barrel/door back into the 100-amp S & C switch and close it.  

(This description is only intended to indicate the work to be done.  It is not intended to indicate the sequence or order in which items must be worked with the exception of removing the fuse barrel/door first and replacing it last.)
       

Apprentice must furnish their own “Extendo” stick.

Apprentice must furnish a tarp for this event.

Pole will be 40-feet in length.

Cross-arms will be 8 feet in length.

L – Bracket on switch and saddle pin bolts must be against the washers on the bolt in the horizontal hole closest to the end of the cross-arm at completion of the event.

Material bag will be pulled up and hung around pole by apprentice.

The switch will be mounted at 90 degrees from the cross-arm and must be in same position at the end of the event.

Switch must be open prior to climbing the pole. 

Climbing tools cannot be worn when operating the extendo stick.

Appropriate leather work gloves with gauntlet must be worn at all times.

Channel locks may be used as a holding tool only.

The “L” Bracket and saddle pin cannot be slid off the end of the arm.

1. The Apprentice will be allowed a five minute setup time before starting the event to prepare and also to ask questions.
2. Time will start at the Judges signal.
3. Time will stop when the Apprentice places the fuse barrel/tube in the closed position in the 100-amp switch with the extendo stick.
4. Extendo stick must be fully collapsed when not in use.

Material provided at each event location

• 2 large cross arm braces

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Apprentice Lineman Event #2 - 4KV Post Insulator Change (Rubber Gloves)

Mean Time 15 Minutes

This is a simulated energized event.  Rubber Gloves will be required from ground to ground.  The Primary Voltage on this event is 4KV.  The construction specification will be primary and neutral on opposite ends of a B-9440 Steel Arm with a post insulator.  The arm will be mounted 18 inches from the top of the pole.  The neutral conductor will be covered prior to the event with two line hoses and a rubber blanket with two blanket pins.  The Phase side will also have cover up in place with one line hose installed on each side of the post insulator.  The Apprentice will change the post insulator on the phase side by installing a (36x36 split blanket) covering the arm, untie the conductor, couple the two line hoses and float the conductor, change the insulator, retie the conductor using a Single-pin-type insulator tie (2-2-3-2).  Upon completion of the event the work station must be left just as it was to start with.   

• The Line will be constructed with # 2 ACSR
• The Phase will be side tied on the insulator with a (Single-pin-type insulator tie) (2-2-3-2)   See attachment.  Page 22.22/Fig.  22.51 in the Lineman and Cableman’s Handbook, 10th edition.
• Material and tool bags cannot be loaded before time starts, bags do not have to be unloaded before time stops.  (Must be unloaded before leaving event site)
• The tie wire may not be rolled until time starts.
• The insulator will be a Line Post type “F”-neck.
• Breaking/chipping of the insulators while performing this event will be a 10-point deduction.

1. The Apprentice will be allowed a five minute question and setup time before starting the event.
2. Time will start at the Judges signal.
3. Time will stop when the climbers first foot touches the ground.
4. All material and equipment must be returned to its original condition and location before the apprentice leaves the area.
5. Climber must wear class II or higher rubber gloves ground to ground.

Material provided at each event location:

• #4 Aluminum Tie wire (Cut by Apprentice)
• 1 “F” Neck Post Insulator With Stud
• 1 (36x36) Split Blanket
• 2  Blanket pins

 

Note:  This event is a simulated energized event for rodeo purposes only and in no way should be taken as to what an apprentice should or should not do at their own company. 

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Event Cancellation Policy

The Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo is sponsored and coordinated through the Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo Association.  GLRA is a non-profit organization that relies on participant entry fees, exhibitor sponsorships, and meal, shirt and hat orders to finance the Rodeo.  Many of the expenses incurred are non-refundable to GLRA.

The Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo will be cancelled in the event of prolonged Lightning, Tornados or other severe weather during the scheduled day of the Rodeo that make it impossible for safe participation.  Furthermore, the Rodeo will be cancelled in the event of widespread power outages that require a majority of the Rodeo participants and judges to return to work. In the event of cancellation, there will be no refunds for entry fees, sponsorships, food and/or merchandise orders.  Shirts and hats that were preordered and paid for will be delivered at a later date.

The decision to cancel the Rodeo due to weather related issues will be made by the Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo Association Board of Directors and communicated by every means possible. (top)

2008 Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo Event Questions

Before submitting Event questions check the FAQs page, if you do not find an answer there please submit your event questions directly to the Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo Association.  ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING BY EITHER E-MAIL OR U.S. MAIL.  Please include your return contact information with any electronic or U.S. Mail communications.  EVENT QUESTIONS ONLY

GLRA
eventquestions@garodeo.com

                               Tim Sweat - Events Committee Chair
                                             850 Commerce Road
                                             Jefferson, GA 30549

Questions will be reviewed with the Co-Master Judges, Tony Kiser of Georgia Power, Mike Benton of GEMC, and Buddy Ward of MEAG as well as other members of the events committee as needed.  An answer will in turn be provided back to you in a timely fashion.

All Chief Judges for the 2008 Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo will be announced on Friday, May 2, 2008.
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