Being a Lineman - Episode 10

[@Bobsdecline]

Hey guys and girls! It's been a really busy week! Drop me a #bobsdecline and a 👊 along with where Y'all are watching from! Cheers !

[@justingarcia8619]

We install the "house knob" only because we don't wrap our secondary wires like you did for the electrician alot of times the siding will rot and we usually have to put it in an area where it doesn't look rotten or completely disconnect them and roll up the service so they can fix the siding 👊👊👊 mcallen texas

[@ryank1273]

#bobsdecline 👊 Watching from Connecticut, Eversource is my electric utility company!

[@Bobsdecline]

@@ryank1273 👊👊 Cheers man!

[@loek3336]

Watcing from the netherlands

[@dustinkay4269]

Donna, TX. Magic Valley Electric Cooperative ⚡️ We service a little over 100,000 consumers.

[@MrBtdobie]

I'm an electrician in the U.S. and I really enjoy seeing what goes on on the other side of the meter. Thanks

[@RubenKelevra]

Oh my god there's a creeper with a large truck with blinking lights all over it, and writing of the local power company on the side, come quick he already rang the bell on the neighbors door and now taking a look at their powerline. Very strange neighborhood if you ask me. Here the neighbors would come ask if you want a coffee and some cookies for your break 😂

[@ProtogenPilled]

Sounds like a Karen neighborhood if you ask me

[@RubenKelevra]

@@ProtogenPilled yeah, might have some Kevins living there as well

[@ProtogenPilled]

@@RubenKelevra ah yes, the infamous Kevin, not to mention the Kyle's, but at least they aren't in the area. I think?

[@michaelandcolinspop]

Your channel is awesome! Cheers from the US. My dad started as a telephone lineman for Ohio Bell after returning from the Korean War and eventually became a service VP for AT&T before retiring in the early ‘90s. His lineman roots ran deep, and he and my mom preserved many antique tools of the trade on the walls of our family room. I still have several of his personal tools, all stamped with “Ohio Bell” and his name that I use around my own house and share with my boys. But they know that Grandpa’s tools always go back in Dad’s roll-away when they’re done with them, haha! Stay safe out there and thanks for keeping the lights on.

[@jovetj]

Awesome!!

[@SOU6900]

Thought you were reading back a train orders sheet for a second. 😆

[@edwardkent1503]

I work in utility design creating CAD like software for last mile utility networks including electric. I love your videos - it really gives me an idea of the practical side of things since I am stuck in the theory! Thanks & Subscribed!

[@deadbus]

I used to work in power generation and can’t state enough how important verbatim repeat backs are. Thank you for showing the comps aspect. Thank you for what you do.

[@michaelc.3812]

It’s great that your supervisor allows you to create the video content. Thanks for sharing (a former distribution planning engineer in Colorado).

[@ryank1273]

I'm so damn happy that I found your channel! I plan on joining the pole dancers!

[@Bobsdecline]

👊👊🍻

[@ryank1273]

@@Bobsdecline How long have you been working?

[@Bobsdecline]

@@ryank1273 Started apprenticeship in 2003 - journeyman April 2007

[@ryank1273]

@@Bobsdecline Sweet! Still need a driver's license and CDL. Was supposed to get it, but DMV closed due to the damn virus.

[@Paragon_Reason]

@@Bobsdecline to become an apprentice do you have to start as a "Helper"? Or is the Helper the apprentice?

[@roymohr3244]

Good work , I have been retires 20+ years and it is good to see courtesy between utiities .

[@ianleonard8548]

I work in customer service for the local electrical utility and your videos should be used as training material. I have learned a lot from your videos that have made me better at my job. Keep up the good work!

[@fluke196c]

This is really interesting, but I wish there was more footage of the actual work taking place. Hope that's possible. Watching from southeast USA

[@Bobsdecline]

Same here, often times I gather footage while waiting for others. Once the actual work starts I focus more on the task at hand, that and I don't want to pressure the guy's by having a camera around. Sometimes when conditions allow I'm able to get some better shots of the actual work but the job does come first for sure✌️👊

[@JacobCouch-v5m]

Learned allot. Stay safe.

[@Airsoftforall]

This popped up as a suggested video. I found it interesting and much respect.

[@TupmaniaTurning]

Lucky enough to have had the time to be able to watch all 10 of your Being a Lineman videos one after the other; brilliant! Your narration and explanations are perfect. Thanks for sharing your world.

[@Bobsdecline]

Really appreciate the feedback! Means a lot! 👊👊

[@matthewfournier6478]

Old dawg is not too old to learn. Good stuff

[@DuffJohnson]

I've been watching your videos, and love the content. My wife always ask me what I do exactly; so this morning I told her to watch your videos. One thing I've seen many times is when you had the tree on the line, I've seen fault current take the line down (usually at weak points/crimp connectors) on the primary behind the fuses.. keep up the great content, love it..

[@Alexjohnson870]

Aowesome! Im a Lineman from Sweden watching. Love seeing the similarities and differences. Keep Safe!

[@movax20h]

Do you know of some similar vblog from European linemans / power transmission techs? I am in Switzerland, but familiar with German and Polish stuff too, but never a dually seen much work on lines. I am pretty sure it is different than in US. Fuses, disconnects, transformers, poles are rather different.

[@nickeveline6371]

Just started watching all your videos. I find it very interesting because so much of this stuff is very intuitive to me. I live in Ontario and it seems there's lots of government red tape, unions, creating barriers for someone to even consider getting into it. I'm 32 now I can see myself wanting to learn everyday doing exactly what you are doing. Maybe when the provinces open up fully I'll move with family back in Nova Scotia

[@ZacherYT]

I'm in IT... no where near dealing with the stuff you do. Great content, fun to watch. Watching from Regina Saskatchewan!

[@Bobsdecline]

Oh Nice! Thanks man! 🇨🇦🍻

[@flagmichael]

IT here, too (before I retired.) IT in an electric utility can get fairly deep in electric operations, but we keep our mitts out of the electric work. Our responsibilities extended about halfway into protection - we owned the equipment that communicated from location to location, including power line carrier. When Energy Control got an alarm that a scheme was down we got the first call. How about your job? (I hear S&C smart grid (Intelliteam) is really popular in Canada.)

[@matthewpepperl]

i'm watching from youtube on a pc in Knoxville TN #bobsdecline 👊 love your content

[@brettwhitten2046]

Love your videos man! Please be safe and thank you for watch you do brother!!!!

[@Bobsdecline]

Thanks Brother! 👊👊

[@pat90]

Hey man this was awesome to see. I'm a transmission system operator and we all know the lineman are the real mvp's. Good comment on not getting complacent. Like you said, we all have those statements that we make in 3-part com that we've done thousands of times when issuing orders, and its extremely important to take the time to ensure both parties fully understand. Stay safe! Sub'd!

[@Bobsdecline]

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback Patrick. Your trade would definitely be familiar with the importance of good communication! Thanks for taking the time to write👊

[@flagmichael]

I worked in aviation before I got into bulk electric power - I was a comm guy until I retired in 2018. The level of focus in power is much greater even than in aviation. Everybody is patient with clarifying exactly what is going to be done, with everybody's roles and responsibilities, with equipment and PPE, public safety, coordination, fallbacks and contingencies.... It sounds like a lot of red tape until you are standing out there (or in your case, sitting in there with very little control over your destiny!) all suited up and ready to go. BTW, where I worked the atmosphere in the distribution center (metro) and the transmission center (state) was very different. Metro operations was tense, snappish, and not entirely organized. Probably because of the greater workload, I suspect. The transmission guys were calm, focused, and had a plan in case things went awry. I heard stress in their voices from time to time but never heard any of them raise their voices. When we worked with the California transmission entities they were always wound tightly. I dreaded working with their ISO. All responsibility fell on them but they had very little direct control.

[@jolyonwelsh9834]

Pouring gasoline down a manhole, what a stupid move.

[@michaelfawver3436]

As a retired police officer we, we also come into the practice of speaking to quick to dispatch and other units. speaking slower is essential.

[@HenryLoenwind]

There is one often overlooked aspect to radio communication: By slurring the expected stuff and overenunciating the unexpected stuff you will make it much easier for the other party to notice that you do have something unexpected to say. Your change in speech pattern will break their "hear what they expect" bias.

[@RookieLock]

Thanks for doing what you do.. Hello from New Brunswick !

[@deanperez1413]

👊👊👊 love the job your doing. Be safe. From crete Illinois.

[@Joe-rw1bb]

Good video. Liked the up close pole work.

[@kevinbreslin5718]

Thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@tomhorne3674]

BTW watching from near Tallahassee, FL Bob! Always love your videos and can't get enough of them!

[@Bobsdecline]

Awesome! I think this is the first I've heard from Tallahassee 👊👊 Thanks for dropping in!

[@am74343]

Trees knocking down lines is an epidemic here in the Northeastern United States. Many of the road crews (or residents whose property is nearby), never properly take care of overhanging trees and branches. This subsequently wreaks havoc and causes needless power outages, many of which could have been avoided.

[@2020romania]

Great video

[@a2zme]

Your job is fascinating .. making the move to Northern remote living soon so just sending out some good vibes to all the PowerLine workers out there.. just in case :)

[@jgroves55]

Another great video , nice mixture of what you run into on a daily basis, stay safe

[@Bobsdecline]

Thanks Joe! Always look forward to hearing from ya!🍻

[@Joe-rw1bb]

Our local utility wont set hooks either. We reset the ones that pull out and will usually reattach the drop

[@julielowe7462]

Aaron I just can’t believe that you’re on-call all night, and then expected to work your shift the next day 😮, that’s insane! - Julie

[@Bobsdecline]

Hey Julie! We do have some criteria that when met, allows us to rest for 8 hours the next day. There's a lot of small print but in a nutshell, if we work 5+ hours between 11pm and 8am we get the next day off to rest.

[@flagmichael]

We call those chicken catchers or chicken baskets here in Arizona as well. I think it is even the name on the warehouse items but nobody seems to know why.

[@johnwells9199]

Now for the trees on the lines, does your company handle thator do you have line clearance tree guys come do it?

[@eliekhananya1551]

Thanks for posting these videos!

[@405ruben]

Let’s say you get called out in the middle of night and you’re out there all the way until you’re scheduled shift starts, are you expected to still work your original shift even if you’ve been up since 1am?

[@Bobsdecline]

There's a huge complicated list of rules around this stuff.... Most times if we work all night, it will result in 8 hours of required rest. 1 or 2 quick calls out though, we are still expected to work our regular shift. It can be tough, because you don't always go back to sleep. If however I had a full 8 hours off before getting called in, I may end up continuing to work until I hit 14 worked hours. My employer also understands that working from midnight until 8 am regardless of time off before hand is hard on one's "internal clock". So if someone feels they can't work safely from lack of sleep/rest arrangements are made.

[@patriot2164]

@@Bobsdecline Worked the overnights for 25 + yrs , been retired for 7 months and my internal clock is still messed up , wake up in the middle of the night WIDE Awake

[@Bobsdecline]

@@patriot2164 that sucks! They say the best thing for our body is routine when it comes to sleep... Being on call is definitely hard on the internal clock

[@patriot2164]

@@Bobsdecline Yes Sir , Been Watch your Videos , recent Subscriber , Love & Respect Your Work , UnSung Heros

[@lindashelley8633]

@@patriot2164 Same here, been retired 5 yrs and still often sit on the porch til daybreak before I can go to sleep. Every time I hear sirens I wonder if it's a hit pole.

[@01coma]

20:45 Those are some funny looking tomatoes ;)

[@Bobsdecline]

🤣I never noticed!

[@connorbright6873]

Apprentice PLT watching from Ottawa!👊

[@Bobsdecline]

Nice! 👊👊 I love Ottawa, been there a few times!

[@knokcs]

15:40 is correct you touch the wire while put the tong on the conductor? how long the outage is lasted?

[@rosco4659]

The tie did well to stay on the bent in.

[@wazza33racer]

watching this, i can help but wonder why the power company is not more aggressive about corridors of trees near power poles. It just looks like an endless minefield of trees waiting to bring down the lines..............

[@linehandibew6205]

We actually tag flag and ground at our source. Meaning I’ll disable cutout by lifting line side tap and have my ground at the cut out pole and hang a flag. If it’s out of view from my work sight and I have back feed potential between my master ground then I’ll hang another ground at work zone. And obv if there’s a break even with a radial feed I’ll put one beyond my work zone for back feed potential. Love your content. Crazy that that pin bent before me the wire broke. Thank god for acsr Hahahahahaha

[@Bobsdecline]

Can't go wrong with that! We also do that actually when we are in another province/state...While in familiar territory within our own jurisdiction we are only required to lift the tap if we are working on that first span, or if we feel that it's required for any other reasons of course. We must then be working within 150m of our trip ground, and also jumper out any breaks in the line. Yeah I've actually never seen a pin bend over so perfectly like that!

[@luke552]

That's cool I think I built that fire truck. Looks like a Metalfab Fire Truck

[@84953]

I have an interesting one. I was on a trip one time and was on the highway and the power lines looked like they were only clearing the tops of the trailers by a couple of inches. I called 911 with the location and let them know. This was not communication line it was the 3 leg power transmission lines on towers.

[@Bobsdecline]

Oh man! Good on you for calling 911. A lot of people don't want to look silly incase they are wrong . There could have been a guy wire or anchor let go, allowing the poles to lean over. Of that's the case, it would have only gotten worse 👊👊💯

[@SOU6900]

That's like a few years ago a hog truck was coming round the the curve on our road and pulled down the line running over the road from the transformer on the outside of the curve to the pole on the inside of the curve that went to the meter. Only thing different in that situation is I assume the driver called it in after he did it but I know state troopers and the local volunteer fire departments were on scene.

[@stuemany]

Love this

[@markbernier8434]

Wondered what the break strength of those lines are. Not a big deal on what you showed but what if some serious timber had them under tension?

[@Bobsdecline]

They will hold a ton of weight! Often times when they break it's a result of an arc!

[@razy7609]

Quick question, I’m not very sure on the whole union contracting vs utility thing. Which would you be?

[@lindashelley8633]

Just remember that a diary that you keep can be subpoenaed in a lawsuit. Lawyers can make all kinds of accusations from what you think are innocuous notes. Retired lineman. 25 yrs in full time trouble department. most on midnight shift. Try to not look at those arcs at night any more than you have to. I needed cataract surgery after about 20 yrs.

[@Robmancan1987]

I learned early on not to trust cut outs for direction of feed lol. I'm not saying you did obviously. Just a lesson learned lol.

[@lennycampagna734]

In a situation such as this where you clearly know there is no potential do you you still treat everything as live?

[@Godslaws8463]

Great video. Texas👊

[@Bobsdecline]

Thanks man👊

[@TheChipmunk2008]

Yeah the fibre tubes are bad for overhead use, they're PE (polyethylene)... because slippery on the inside is good (for fibre blowing) but really bad for getting gripped by clamps. British Telecom (sorry, Openreach) use a sticky bituminous rubber clamp I believe

[@wireguy6790]

Do y'all replace the klevis if broken up there in Kentucky an electrician has to not the power co

[@Bobsdecline]

I always keep a few on the truck but it's up to the homeowner to have an electrician replace them here as well. Mainly because we don't want to start drilling into people's homes without knowing what we're drilling into. If just the insulator is broken, I'll swap that for them or if it's on a mast pipe.

[@Magiobiwan]

Do the trucks have outriggers to help increase stability with the lifts, or is the suspension stiff enough to not rock around?

[@LinemanUniverse]

Running to and fro making that dough! We have a 2 hour minimum on call outs how about y'all?

[@justingarcia8619]

We also get a 4 hour window , if we finished a call and go home and they call us out within the four hours we get paid straight through

[@Bobsdecline]

Pretty much same here! There a few stipulations , and some different rates at times ( either 1x,1.5x or 2x ).

[@timcat1004]

The fiber contractors where I am in Alberta are doing some really crappy work.

[@andrewgorski6317]

How do you grab the fuses with the pole on the first try all the time bro? Skillz

[@Bobsdecline]

You must be one with the stick 🦗🥋 😬 Either that or lots of practice 🤷‍♂️

[@albertl2542]

Are primary copper or aluminum?

[@andyneipert2527]

Wut cand of power co truck do you drive?

[@oscar1911]

How did you get into this work did you know somebody was it hard to get into it seems like its competitive here in California

[@Bobsdecline]

It's very competitive indeed! I applied to a line school and had to go through a ton of testing and interviews. Once I made the cut, it took some old fashion hard work! I knew nothingamd nobody in the trade at the time 😎

[@terrydavis8451]

The easiest way to break into a place is with a hi vis and a metal clipboard.

[@industrialelectric4328]

This is probably my favorite video of yours! Quick question, do you test your tick tracer on a known energized source before using?

[@Bobsdecline]

Thanks! We do if there's live stuff around .... Like if it's a side line off a Main, we'll always test it on the live first. The 3 beeps when we turn it on are supposed to indicate that the battery is good, but have also seen many false readings over the years. Testing on live is really good practice in my books, but not required. After a few jobs though if it wasn't tested on live equipment I would make a point to do so

[@generatorjohn4537]

At my utility we definitely test on a known energized source 1st. Would start on a known source (energized) then the circuit to be serviced, then back to the known source. BTW - Years ago I pulled call in distribution (residential mostly). Transfered to transmission. Transmission far better utility work.

[@84953]

So what's the setup here just 2 cables? I'm guessing that the bottom one is telephone and cable.

[@Windfire06]

The wind blew Shit flew out came the line crew.

[@MattManProductions]

How do you not know it's not a power line? That fiber line isn't going to hurt anyone but thier internet usage, if it's not coming off the main post then call someone else....I know it's about safety and all, but still... It's not really your company's equipment, but I do give you props for going way out of your field to still do the job💪

[@leewilson7653]

What part of Canada is this?.

[@aubreyroche5080]

Are you guys Salary or Hourly ?

[@evanmason4967]

I like the glasses I have a pair of those people give me a hard time but I like them

[@94Gidge]

The bolts/screws holding that flashing light on being so long would annoy the crap out of me

[@luvucookies]

Just curious, how do you deal with aggressive pets and also any dog bites to date.

[@Bobsdecline]

That's a really good question, first time I've been asked! When patrolling lines through backyards, I always tell guys to make some noise or yell "here pup" or something. Enough that if there is a dog back there he'll here you before you spook him. If it's a large job or we know for sure which yard we'll be in, we try our best to get ahold of the homeowner. There has been a few bites over the years but I've never personally been bitten. If there's an aggressive pet preventing us from doing emergency work, that's being used intentionally, we must call police for assistance. It usually gets resolved before getting to that point

[@joshuaknight311]

Do anyone know if he went to college

[@scottfeatherstone7156]

What does Check potential mean?

[@Bobsdecline]

Checking for any type of voltage. Could be from induction, back feed, static charge etc...

[@northmainewoods1]

Hey what’s up man? I am a lineman for a utility in New Hampshire, I was just wondering if you get paid rest time for hours worked in the middle of the night?

[@Bobsdecline]

If we hit out max hours (14) or fall into a complicated work hour formula that requires rest and that rest happens to land on regular work hours, then yes. Only during those regular work hours though. An example is of you can work the remaining 2 hours of your shift (due to mandatory rest), we will be paid those 2 hours anyhow. 8 hours rest is required to "reset" but only the 2 that land on schedule time are paid. If the entire 8 hours lands on your shift, then it's paid. It's about a 2500 word essay to explain all the details, but that's the gist of it

[@justindoolan8236]

very entertaining. Makes me miss being a T man.

[@culbyj3665]

ive recently subrscribed and it appears you are in a rural area.. GReat videos. Its come to my attention maybe it could be a smart practice to have your dispatcher check in with you on 20 or 40 minute marks after you arrive or go aerial. not sure if this is already a guideline but it would seem prudent if you are in an area that you are alone and without backup as you seem to be in many videos. Rural areas as well seem to be more likely to be without help or yelling distance. it just makes sense. Seems like asking for help s the LINE CREW (lineman). help seems to be far away . great videos. just a thought if your out on your own. Also does your copany have AEDS on the trucks??

[@matttomlin1024]

Looking for help or advice. I’m trying to get on the path to becoming a lineman, but it seems no where will take me. I’ve tried Union in my state they told me they don’t do lineman apprenticeships. I’ve tried Co-Op I’ve called them they say it’s been passed on to the Hiring Manager, I’ve tried contractors and still nothing. I’ve got two years as an Electrician Apprentice and my Class A does anyone have any tips or do you think it’ll pick up once this virus is over? Thanks for all your help

[@jacobmoore7381]

Line school is the best route honestly

[@hans429]

How mouch KiloVolts were on this line?

[@Bobsdecline]

Our entire distribution system is now 7200/12470 volts on the primary side✌️

[@Moderatordan]

#bobsdecline 👊 love the videos watching from New brunswick canada

[@Bobsdecline]

👊✌️

[@danielvolz606]

Do you use just your phone for recording?

[@darrengallant8727]

#bobsdecline 👊 Watching from NB!

[@frankthetank2824]

Is it your company policy to wear hv rubber gloves with hot sticks ? If so , what’s the reason behind that ?

[@vincea3037]

Boise, Idaho Thumbs up

[@Bobsdecline]

Thanks Vince!👊

[@vincea3037]

@@Bobsdecline What are the capacitors used for? How do they benefit the powerline?

[@Bobsdecline]

@@vincea3037 They improve the efficiency of the line (power factor). It's hard to sum up - Along with resistance in a circuit, there is both inductive and capacitive reactance which cause phase shift (results in a form of resistance). Too much of one or the other is not good. Inductive reactance is more natural within a circuit due to industrial loads/motors n such, so the capacitive reactance is applied to offset this

[@vincea3037]

@@Bobsdecline So capacitors are like a reserve for heavy loads? Motor startup and such?

[@Bobsdecline]

@@vincea3037 not really a reserve, because the capacitance would affect the lines all the time if they are closed in. So they could actually negatively impact the power factor when not needed. There are newer installations that only activate as needed, however. Think of a rubber band stretched out, and being perfectly straight as the target. Applying a capacitor pulls it down out of line a set amount according to size ... Maybe 2 inches. Now turn on 2 motors and it pulls it back up 2 inches bringing the line straight again. Turn on a third motor and the line in now up 1 inch . The final position of the rubber band would be up 1 ( inductive reactance +3 and capacitive reactance -2) . Without the capacitors your final position would be up 3. - ideal position being 0. But then there's also the resistance from line loss and loads which will play into that. Achieving and actual zero may have aslo created ferroresonace which is a whole other story. That was probably a really bad explanation 🤣 and that why Im on the poles and not into the books

[@Poppabill48]

Don't miss the middle of the night call outs at all!!

[@Bobsdecline]

They can certainly be tough😔

[@BeastModeFitness11]

Do you have another service man or are you always on call? How much OT do you average? Awesome vid

[@Bobsdecline]

Our office covers a huge area which is divided into 4 parts, each of which have a service guys that covers the area. There's a "floater" that's helps us all out during the day. After hours I get called for any trouble in my area, but there's 2 guys that cover the whole map that are on a rotation. If I'm busy or having a few drinks , they cover for me 🍻👊

[@trafficsignal101]

I am fan but just why was this line 10 feet from the ground when it is in Canada. You should have given the distance in meters.

[@toddt6730]

I'm actually watching this at 1:45 am

[@jordanjohnson2685]

What’s your average hours in your day? Are you on call a good bit? It seems so. But I’m sure you have your off days as well and enjoy life lol.

[@DIGGER19860]

Obviously the kids where trying to kill a sewer clown. Badass little kids.

[@michaelc.3812]

As a former utility electrical engineer (distribution planning), I’d say your channel should be required viewing for new utility engineers and employees (especially Customer Service departments). Thanks

[@StephenMortimer]

Yup.. ya know you are listening to a Kanookian when it starts off with an APOLOGY. !!

[@TomSestilio]

I hope you see this comment, but how old is too old to get into the trade? Im 30 and I took a 2 year electrical apprenticeship with a non-union elec. years ago, but have since left due to the money as an apprentice not being that great for someone who lives on their own! I know that linemen make a pretty penny here in the states and what you guys do is wild, I want in on the action!

[@hughaskew6550]

Sounds like someone just bought a fresh box of "actually". Never heard you say it so many times in a video.

[@UltimateGamerGirl84]

#bobadecline🤜🏻I am watching form South Africa 🇿🇦🤛🏻

[@Bobsdecline]

👊👊 Cheers South Africa!

[@cerealchild166]

Illinois in the USA!

[@alan.macrae]

Ya, you're a little creepy! :). Got to love it.