Florida Lineman Competition FAQ

For questions regarding specific Journeyman and Apprentice events, please e-mail the corresponding event judge. You will receive a response in two business days and the question and answer will be posted on this page.

Journeyman/Master Event Questions

Apprentice Event Questions

Journeyman and Master Questions

Cross Arm Change Out (send a question)

Q: What type of cross arm braces will we be using?
A: It will be a flat strap steel brace.

Q: Will we be required to replace the braces along with the other equipment?
A: Yes, you will need to change the flat steel brace when changing out the cross arm.

Q: What kinds of ties are going to be used rubber pad or rubber grommet?
A: Rubber grommet.

Q: What side of the pole is the neutral on if you are looking at the cross arm?
A: It is on the right side.

Q: It states three phase framing, but have heard only two phases.Please confirm?
A: Yes, there are only two phases.

Q: Will the bolt at the bottom of the braces have the thread side facing the braces or will the bolt have to come completely out of the pole to change the braces?
A: The braces will be installed on the thread side of the bolt.


Vertical Hurtman Rescue (send a question)
Judges note: View the Hurtman Rescue Instructional Video

Q:
A:

600 AMP Switch (send a question)

Q: Which are what size wrench needed on the nut holding switch to arm, bolts and nuts on switch terminal, kind and size connector on line, size of switch jumper and if terminal is pressed on it.
A: The nut size on the pads that mount to the switch is 3/4 ,the bracket on the switch nut is 9/16,connector on jumper to line is also 9/16
The permanent jumpers will have two bolt terminal pads mounted to them and bolted to the switch and the switch, also will be connected to primary with bolted connectors.

Q: What size wire is the jumper made of?
A: The Jumper will be 1/0 copper.

Q: Is this a stick event or can you work primary by hand?
A: This is a rubber glove event and may be worked with class 2 or greater rubber gloves and or sticks if that works better for you.

Q: Will the jumper be connected to primary with vice tipe (bugs) or pad?
A: Two Bolt Pad to the switch and bugs to the Primary.

Q: How many primaries are on the cross arm?
A: There are 2 phases of promary on each end of the cross arm.

Q: If you remove the jumpers from the switch in the air do you have to change them out, or can you leave them connected to the primary?
A: Jumpers may be left attached to the primary. If jumpers come down with the switch, the jumpers must be removed and replaced back on the switch.

Q: Are the flatstrapson the arms mounted over or under?
A: Under

100 AMP Cutout Replacement (send a question)

Q: Are you going to be using stirrup clamps? If so, are they going to be pressed on? Also, how far out are they away from the deadend?
A: No stirrups will be used. Aluminum hot line clamps will be put directly on the conductors and they will be approximately 6 " out from the deadend.

Q: Is there a pole ground? If so, why?
A: No pole grounds on this event.

Q: Is the distance from the primary conductor reaally going to be 8'8"?
A: The distance from the primary to the neutral will be 72".

Q: Concerning rule number 11, are the competitors getting new wire and hotline clamps when entering the event or are they using the old ones?
A: The will receive new wire and reuse the old hot clamps.

Q: Does the groundman have to remove and install the jumpers or can guys on the pole remove the old ones?
A: The lineman on the pole may remove the old jumpers, but the groundman must install the new jumpers.

Q: Is the old door is being refused or are they getting a new door with the replacement cutout?
A: The groundman must refuse the door.

Insulator Change Out (send a question)

Q: What is the neutral spacing? If you put the layout arm by hand and not with sticks, do you need to cover the primary wire and insulator?
A: 6' spacing on the neutral and if you get within 26" of the primary, you will need to cover it. 26" is from any part of your body starting at the tip of your finger. So, rubber sleeves will not help.

Apprentice Questions

Refuse and Close Cutouts (send a question)

Q: What size is the pole and/or how high will the cross arm be mounted above the ground?
A: The poles will be 40ft .Crossarms mounted one foot from top.

Q: What brand, kV are the cutouts? Basically are they short barrels or long?
A: Short barrel AB Chance

Q: How far below the crossarm will the neutral be?
A: There is no neutral on that event.

Vertical Hurtman Rescue (send a question)
Judges note: View the Hurtman Rescue Instructional Video

Q: Can you operate pogo with leather gloves?
A:The rules for Hurtman Rescue state for apprentices and lineman; The switch (cutout) feeding the transformer must be opened before the climber can step onto the pole. It will be opened from the ground using an extendo stick and rubber gloves.The stick must be off the ground and body any time it is touching anything that is energized. The answer to the question is no, you must use rubber gloves to operate the extendo stick.

Obstacle Course (send a question)
Judges Note: The poles are 40' and the x-arms are 8' apart. Competitors will need to hang the handline off only if something is dropped and must be sent back up.

Judges Note: The cross arm that has the switch on it will have pins in the end of the arm. Compeitors will not be able to slide the sitch off the end of the arm.

Q: Is this equipment going to be placed as shown in the pictures or will they be on the same end of the arms to start the event?
A: It will be built like the pictures.

Q: Will we need to set the pins to face inward on the DE insulator and shoe?
A: It doesn't matter which way the pin is put back in.

Q: Does the handline need to be railroaded from the bottom arm or can it be carried down?
A:You can either climb down with the hand line or hand over hand it down.

Q:How high is the first arm off of the ground?
A: The bottom arm will be around 9ft off of the ground.

Cross Arm Brace Change (send a question)

Q: Will we be using wooden or flat steel braces?
A: We will be using wooden braces.

Street Light Head Change Out (send a question)

Q:Do we have to take the wire out of the arm?
A:Yes, after disconnecting the wire from the feed, you will have to take the wire out of the arm, but it can still be connected at the head. The wire, photo cell and head will have to be replaced. During setup you will be allowed to pre-wire the head.

Q: What size nuts are on the split bolts?
A: The split bolt will be a #8 with a 1/2" nut

Q: Do we have to tighten the nuts with channel locks and a wrench or just a wrench?
A: Channel locks and a wrench for a snug connection.

Q:Can we put bulb and photo cell in our nut bag?
A: All material must be put in the grunt bag.

Q: Do we have to disassemble bulb, photo cell, globe, and split bolts in any one order?
A: Street Light must be disconnected from secondary feed first, removing split bolt. Bulb, shade and photo cell can be removed in any order and then head must be removed. After new Street Light head is installed, the bulb, shade and photo cell can be reinstalled in any order then secondary feed must be reconnected last, reinstalling split bolt.

Q: Will open wire sec. be feeding the streetlight?
A: The secondary feed for the streetlight will be a pience of romex cable alredy attached to the pole. It will be the exact same cable you use for the streetlight head. There will be no open wire or duplex cable attached in or between poles fo feed.

Q:Is the wire in the head going to a romex or two pieces of number 12?
A: The wire will be romex.

Q: Can we put bulb photocell abd globe on before we put the new head back on the arm?
A: The bulb, photocell and globe will be installed after the light is attached to the arm.

If you have not received an answer to your question please send an e-mail 2010 FLC Event Coordinators. _ _