Vast networks of wires and cables provide customers with electrical power and
communications services. Networks of electrical power lines deliver electricity
from generating plants to customers. Communications networks of telephone and
cable television lines provide voice, video, and other communications services.
These networks are constructed and maintained by line installers and repairers.
Line installers, or line erectors, install new
lines by constructing utility poles, towers, and underground trenches to carry
the wires and cables. Line erectors use a variety of construction equipment,
including digger derricks, trenchers, cable plows, and borers. Digger derricks
are trucks equipped with augers and cranes; workers use augers to dig holes in
the ground, and cranes are used to set utility poles in place. Trenchers and
cable plows are used to cut openings in the earth for the laying of underground
cables. Borers, which tunnel under the earth, are used to install tubes for the
wire without opening a trench in the soil.
When construction is complete, line installers string cable along the poles,
towers, tunnels, and trenches. While working on poles and towers, installers
first use truck-mounted buckets to reach the top of the structure or physically
climb the pole or tower. Next, they pull up cable from large reels mounted on
trucks. The line is then set in place and pulled so that it has the correct
amount of tension. Finally, line installers attach the cable to the structure
using hand and hydraulic tools. When working with electrical power lines,
installers bolt or clamp insulators onto the poles before attaching the cable.
Underground cable is laid directly in a trench, pulled through a tunnel, or
strung through a conduit running through a trench.
Other installation duties include setting up service for customers and
installing network equipment. To set up service, line installers string cable
between the customers’ premises and the lines running on poles or towers or in
trenches. They install wiring to houses and check the connection for proper
voltage readings. Line installers also may install a variety of equipment.
Workers on telephone and cable television lines install amplifiers and repeaters
that maintain the strength of communications transmissions. Workers on
electrical powerlines install and replace transformers, circuitbreakers,
switches, fuses, and other equipment to control and direct the electrical
current.
In addition to installation, line installers and repairers also are
responsible for maintenance of electrical, telecommunications, and cable
television lines. Workers periodically travel in trucks, helicopters, and
airplanes to visually inspect the wires and cables. Sensitive monitoring
equipment can automatically detect malfunctions on the network, such as loss of
current flow. When line repairers identify a problem, they travel to the
location of the malfunction and repair or replace defective cables or equipment.
Bad weather or natural disasters can cause extensive damage to networks. Line
installers and repairers must respond quickly to these emergencies to restore
critical utility and communications services. This can often involve working
outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
Installation and repair work may require splicing, or joining together,
separate pieces of cable. Each cable contains numerous individual wires;
splicing the cables together requires that each wire in one piece of cable be
joined to another wire in the matching piece. Line installers splice cables
using small handtools, epoxy, or mechanical equipment. At each splice, they
place insulation over the conductor and seal the splice with moistureproof
covering.
Many communications networks now use fiber optic cables instead of
conventional wire or metal cables. Fiber optic cables are made of hair-thin
strands of glass, which convey pulses of light. These cables can carry much more
information at higher speeds than can conventional cables. The higher
transmission capacity of fiber optic cable has allowed communication networks to
offer upgraded services, such as high-speed Internet access. Splicing fiber
optic cable requires specialized equipment that carefully slices, matches, and
aligns individual glass fibers. The fibers are joined by either electrical
fusion (welding) or a mechanical fixture and gel (glue).
Line installers and repairers must climb and maintain their balance while
working on poles and towers. They lift equipment and work in a variety of
positions, such as stooping or kneeling. Their work often requires that they
drive utility vehicles, travel long distances, and work outdoors under a variety
of weather conditions. Many line installers and repairers work a 40-hour week;
however, emergencies may require overtime work. For example, when severe weather
damages electrical and communications lines, line installers and repairers may
work long and irregular hours to restore service.
Line installers and repairers encounter serious hazards on their jobs and
must follow safety procedures to minimize potential danger. They wear safety
equipment when entering utility holes and test for the presence of gas before
going underground. Electric powerline workers have the most hazardous jobs.
High-voltage powerlines can cause electrocution, and line installers and
repairers must consequently use electrically insulated protective devices and
tools when working with live cables. Powerlines are typically higher than
telephone and cable television lines, increasing the risk of severe injury due
to falls. To prevent these injuries, line installers and repairers must use
fall-protection equipment when working on poles or towers.
Line installers and repairers held about 268,000 jobs in 2002. Approximately
167,000 were telecommunications line installers and repairers; the remainder
were electrical powerline installers and repairers. Nearly all line installers
and repairers worked for telecommunications, construction or electric power
generation, transmission, and distributions companies. Approximately 9,300 line
installers and repairers were self-employed.
Line installers and repairers are trained on the job, and employers require
at least a high school diploma. Employers also prefer a technical knowledge of
electricity, electronics, and experience obtained through vocational/technical
programs, community colleges, or the Armed Forces. Prospective employees should
possess a basic knowledge of algebra and trigonometry, and mechanical ability.
Customer service and interpersonal skills also are important. Because the work
entails lifting heavy objects (many employers require applicants to be able to
lift at least 50 pounds), climbing, and other physical activity, applicants
should have stamina, strength, and coordination, and must be unafraid of
heights. The ability to distinguish colors is necessary because wires and cables
may be color-coded.
Many community or technical colleges offer programs in telecommunications,
electronics, and/or electricity. These programs often are operated with
assistance from local employers and unions. Some schools, working with local
companies, offer 1-year certificate programs that emphasize hands-on field work;
graduates get preferential treatment in the hiring process at companies
participating in the program. More advanced 2-year associate degree programs
provide students with a broader knowledge of telecommunications and electrical
utilities technology through courses in electricity, electronics, fiber optics,
and microwave transmission.
Electrical line installers and repairers complete formal apprenticeships or
employer training programs. These are sometimes administered jointly by the
employer and the union representing the workers. The unions include the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Communications Workers of
America, and the Utility Workers Union of America. Apprenticeship programs last
up to 5 years and combine formal instruction with on-the-job training.
Government safety regulations strictly define the training and education
requirements for apprentice electrical line installers.
Line installers and repairers in telephone and cable television companies
receive several years of on-the-job training. They also may attend training or
take online courses provided by equipment manufacturers, schools, unions, or
industry training organizations. The Society of Cable Television Engineers
(SCTE) provides certification programs for line installers and repairers.
Applicants for certification must be employed in the cable television industry
and attend training sessions at local SCTE chapters.
Entry-level line installers may be hired as ground workers, helpers, or tree
trimmers, who clear branches from telephone and power lines. These workers may
advance to positions stringing cable and performing service installations. With
experience, they may advance to more sophisticated maintenance and repair
positions responsible for increasingly larger portions of the network. Promotion
to supervisory or training positions also is possible, but more advanced
supervisory positions often require a college diploma.
Overall employment of line installers and repairers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all
occupations through 2012. Much of this increase will result from growth in the
construction and telecommunications industries. With the increasing competition
in electrical distribution, many companies are contracting out construction of
new lines. The introduction of new technologies, especially fiber optic cable,
has increased the transmission capacity of telephone and cable television
networks. This higher capacity has allowed the creation of new and popular
services, such as high-speed Internet access. At the same time, deregulation of
the telecommunications industry has reduced barriers to competition. Competition
for local phone service and demand for high-speed Internet access is forcing
former local telephone companies to update and modernize their networks. In some
regions, underground telephone lines may be up to 50 years old and incapable of
providing advanced services. Job growth also will stem from the maintenance and
modernization of telecommunications networks. Besides those due to employment
growth, many job openings will result from the need to replace the large number
of older workers reaching retirement age.
Employment of telecommunications line installers and repairers is expected to
grow about as fast as average as telephone and cable television companies expand
and improve networks that provide customers with high-speed access to data,
video, and graphics. Line installers and repairers will be needed not only to
construct and install networks, but also to maintain the ever-growing systems of
wires and cables. The average residential customer already has more than two
telephone lines. Increased demand for high-speed Internet access and multiple
telephone lines will require the improvement and expansion of local
telephone-line networks. However, excess transmission capacity due to the
overexpansion of fiber optic lines, especially long-distance lines, in recent
years should significantly reduce employment demand. The need for maintenance
work will be reduced by the improved reliability of fiber optic lines. The
demand for additional telephone lines also will be tempered by the increasing
use of wireless telephones. Wireless networks do not require as many technicians
to maintain and expand their systems, a characteristic that will reduce job
growth in the industry.
Little or no growth in employment of electrical powerline installers and
repairers is expected through 2012. The demand for electricity has been
consistently rising, driving the expansion of powerline networks, which tends to
increase employment. However, industry deregulation is pushing companies to cut
costs and maintenance, which tends to reduce employment. Most new jobs are
expected to arise in the construction industry. Because electrical power
companies have reduced hiring and training in past years, opportunities are best
for workers who possess experience and training.
Earnings for line installers and repairers are higher than those in most
other occupations that do not require postsecondary education. Median hourly
earnings for electrical powerline installers and repairers were $23.33 in 2002.
The middle 50 percent earned between $18.02 and $27.43. The lowest 10 percent
earned less than $13.22, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $32.08.
Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of
electrical powerline installers and repairers in 2002 are shown below.
Electric power generation, transmission and distribution
$24.72
Wired telecommunications carriers
23.80
Local government
22.07
Utility system construction
17.22
Building equipment contractors
16.27
Median hourly earnings for telecommunications line installers and repairers
were $19.06 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $13.36 and $24.70. The
lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.31, and the highest 10 percent earned
more than $27.70. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest
numbers of telephone and cable television line installers and repairers in 2002
are shown below.
Wired telecommunications carriers
$24.20
Cable and other subscription programming
18.48
Cable and other program distribution
15.01
Building equipment contractors
15.00
Utility system construction
13.58
Most line installers and repairers belong to unions, principally the
Communications Workers of America, the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers, and the Utility Workers Union of America. For these workers, union
contracts set wage rates, wage increases, and the time needed to advance from
one job level to the next.
Links to non-BLS Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not
constitute an endorsement.
For more details about employment opportunities, contact the telephone, cable
television, or electrical power companies in your community. For general
information and some educational resources on line installer and repairer jobs,
write to:
Communications Workers of America, 501 3rd St. NW., Washington, DC 20001.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Telecommunications
Department, 1125 15th St. NW., Washington, DC 20005.
For training and professional certifications for those already employed by
cable telecommunications firms, contact:
Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, Certification Department, 140
Phillips Rd., Exton, PA 19341-1318. Internet: http://www.scte.org
Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2004-05 Edition, Line Installers
and Repairers, on the Internet at
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos195.htm
(visited May 20, 2004).
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The next Master Electrician Course in Port St. Lucie begins January 9th, 2010.
Details HERE.
