Competition
Hands-On Training Courses
Hands-on training will be held at the Rodeo grounds. These hands-on, interactive training classes are open to lineworkers of all experience levels (journeyman and apprentice lineworkers; individuals participating in the Rodeo as judges or in other roles are also welcome to participate). Registration fee is per person, per class.
Live Electrical Safety Demonstration Overview
Friday, March 27, 8 - 9:30 a.m.
This live demonstration trailer is energized using 120/240-volt secondary power, which is then stepped up through a transformer to 7,200 volts — the same voltage carried on real primary distribution lines. All demonstrations are performed at live primary voltage to provide a realistic and impactful learning experience.
During the demonstration, we show:
- Rubber Protective Equipment: How even a small hole in a rubber glove or boot can allow electrical current to pass through, emphasizing the importance of daily inspection and proper use of PPE.
- Fire Hose Conductivity: How fire hoses can conduct electricity, creating a serious hazard for firefighters and first responders.
- Kite String and Current Flow: How electrical current can travel down conductive materials like a kite string, demonstrated by bridging a 100-amp switch.
- Mylar Balloon Hazards: The dangers Mylar balloons pose when they contact power lines and the potential for outages or flashovers.
- Vehicle Accident Simulation: What happens when a vehicle becomes energized after contacting power lines. This includes a discussion and demonstration of step potential and touch potential to show why it’s safest to stay in the vehicle until help arrives, if safe to do so.
- Trees in Power Lines: How trees can become energized when in contact with power lines, and why maintaining safe clearance is so important. We show that current can flow through wood without having obvious signs.
- Generator backfeed: We demonstrate a generator backfeeding through a transformer, showing how the primary side becomes energized from the secondary. During this, we show that the generator breaker does not trip when a fault occurs between the primary and neutral, explaining the dangers of improper generator connections and backfeed hazards to lineworkers.
Our goal is to educate, promote, and reinforce electrical safety for utility workers, first responders, students, and the public — helping everyone understand the real dangers of electricity and how to stay safe around power lines.
Instructors: Zach Britton, and Matthew Hubbard, Journeyman Lineman, Huntsville Utilities, Alabama
Proper Care and Use of Hot Sticks
Friday, March 27, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
This hands-on class will focus on the essential practices for maintaining and safely using hot sticks. We’ll start with the fundamentals — how to properly clean, inspect, and store your hot sticks to ensure reliability and longevity.
Next, we’ll demonstrate how to install a single hot tie on an overhead conductor using two different hot stick attachments, giving you practical experience with multiple techniques.
Finally, we’ll cover the correct use of a telescoping switch stick, including best practices for operation and safety.
By the end of this session, attendees will have the knowledge and confidence to handle hot sticks effectively and maintain them for optimal performance.
Instructors: Keno Grigsby, Journeyman Lineman, and Michael Munn, Manager, Transmission & Distribution Line Construction and Maintenance, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, California
Apprentice Events
The 2026 Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo Apprentice event photos will be available by January 31.
Arrestor Replacement Single Phase Two Wire
Description: The Apprentice will be replacing two (2) lightning arresters that are mounted on an 8’ wooden crossarm, 30” below the top crossarm at the top of a 40’ wood pole. There will be a neutral conductor 7’ down from the top arm with a stick bag pre-hung and an 8-foot shotgun stick in the bag, located on an eye nut on the back of the neutral clevis bolt. The Apprentice SHALL wear primary rubber gloves ground to ground.
Mean Time: 10 minutes Drop Dead Time: 14 minutes
Hurtman Rescue
Description: This event will be simulating the rescue of an injured worker. Construction will consist of an 8’ wooden crossarm mounted on a 40’ wood pole. Time starts at the judge’s signal with apprentice standing at least an arm’s length from pole in any direction. Note: The lineman’s belt, hooks and rubber gloves in bag will be lying on the ground at arm’s length from the pole. (You may tool up bare handed) Rubber gloves required before touching pole!
Mean Time: 4 minutes Drop Dead Time: 6 minutes
Single Phase Two Wire Tie-in/Un-Tie
Description: The apprentice will have a 5-minute set-up time to prepare for the event and ask any questions. This event is considered a Re-conduct of #2 primary, and leather gloves can be used. Framing on this event will be Two-phase. On both sides of a 10 ft fiberglass arm, the apprentice will need to remove the #2 ACSR wire from the roller and tie it onto the top of the insulator with #4 aluminum tie. After tying in the conductor, the apprentice will remove the roller and move it to the opposite side of the arm. Once done, untie the #2 conductor and lay it in the roller. The apprentice will need to use a handline to pull materials up and down.
NOTE: The Apprentice can prepare the #4 aluminum tie wire during the 5-minute setup.
Mean Time: 6 minutes Drop Dead Time: 8 minutes
Load Transfer
Description: This event will consist of moving the transformer cutout jumper from one outside phase to the other outside phase. The load must be removed from the transformer by opening the cutout with an extending stick from the ground retracted completely and placed on tarp before ascending the pole. All extending stick operations will be completed before climbing gear (gaffs and belt) is put on. Once the fuse is open, the competitor must ascend the pole and attach handline to pole at working height by means of a sling. The competitor must pull up at least one (1) line hose to cover the neutral at work zone. Transfer the high-side jumper from one outside phase to opposite outside phase with a shotgun stick hung below the neutral. After the work is done the competitor must remove the hose and lower it to the ground with the handline. The competitor must then remove handline, descend the pole and remove all climbing gear (gaffs and belt) then re-energize the transformer with the extending stick. Time will stop when stick is completely retracted and placed on tarp. Line is to be considered energized at 15kV and APPA approach distances must be maintained. Competitors must provide their own handline, line hose and long (extend-o) stick.
Mean Time: 6 minutes Drop Dead Time: 10 minutes
Written Test
Description: The written test is a timed 20-minute test given annually to encourage safety at all times when working in the field and during competitions, such as the Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo. This written test event takes place on Friday afternoon before the Saturday field events.1 Competitors should bring their scorebook with them to the test.
The test will be based on the 17th edition of the APPA Safety Manual which is available for purchase through the APPA Product Store. Safety Manuals are not automatically included in your Apprentice registration and must be purchased separately.
Drop Dead Time: 20 minutes
Competition Eligibility Requirements
APPA Member Utility: All participants must be employed by an APPA member municipal utility, joint action agency, or state/regional association.
Team: A team consists of two journeyman linemen and one ground support person. This three-person team is permitted to rotate roles between events. An apprentice can serve as the ground support person on the team.
Alternates: If a team member can no longer continue to participate, that individual is out of the competition for the remainder of the event. The team can then substitute a registered alternate for the missing team member. The groundman can be an alternate if he/she is a journeyman lineworker. The activation of an alternate within the team must be approved by the Journeyman Master Judge.
Apprentice: A person is considered an apprentice for four years after he/she enters an apprentice program.
Questions
- For answers to event-specific questions, see the Competitor FAQ section below. To submit an event-specific question, please complete the 2026 Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo FAQ form.
- For general rodeo questions, contact Rodeo@PublicPower.org.
Journeyman Events
The 2026 Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo Journeyman team event and photos will be available by January 31.
URD New Install 12KV
Description: This event will consist of a single-phase riser made up complete with the hot line clamp not attached to the primary. The cutout door will be placed by the pole on the ground fused. This is feeding a new transformer that is partially made up except the elbow and the secondary connections. The elbow will need to be terminated and plugged on the primary bushing and the secondary conductors will need to be stripped and connected to the secondary bars. The meter that this transformer is feeding is a simulation and is considered pulled already. The climber will need an 8-foot stick to attach the hotline clamp onto the stirrup (already attached to the primary conductor) and close the cutout. The climber must be below the neutral before closing the cutout. Neutral shall be covered properly. MAD distance will need to be maintained to hang the door by hand. Voltage will be checked at the transformer after the cutout is closed. The climber can work on the ground fully tooled up as long as gaff guards are on.
Mean Time: 10 minutes Drop Dead Time: 15 minutes
Storm Restoration
Description: This event simulates the repair of a downed single-phase primary line. Fuse will be open at source pole (simulating blown) and conductor will be broken on load side of single phase double dead end. The conductor will be broken midspan with both ends lying on ground between double dead end and dead-end pole. A new section of conductor must be attached using an automatic sleeve. The conductor must be pulled up, sagged, and dead-ended using an automatic sleeve. Each team will be provided a hand coil of #2 ACSR and 2 sleeves. Each hand coil will have more wire than needed to complete the repair. Primary Conductor will be required to test and ground using Class 2 rubber gloves. No contact will be made with the down conductor until grounds are applied. Grounding rules must be followed per APPA Safety Manual section 514.1. Handline must be tagged by groundman while climbing poles, and headache must be called when rail roading handline. The fuse must be changed and closed back in - this is when your time stops. All general rodeo rules will apply to this event.
Mean Time: 10 minutes Drop Dead Time: 12 minutes
OCR Replacement
Description: This event consists of replacing a pole mounted oil circuit recloser (OCR) on a single-phase distribution line. Electric continuity must be maintained at all times. A single-phase OCR with an approximate weight of 205 lbs. will be used. Orientation of the OCR with source/load direction is indicated on the event diagram. The hood covering the open-close/auto-manual switches is on the right, or source side of the device (see diagram).
Mean Time: 15 minutes Drop Dead Time: 23 minutes
Pin and Insulator Change Out 12KV
Description: This is a 12kV simulated energized event. Teams will replace the polymer insulator and metal pole top pin and re secure the #2 ACSR with a single #4 aluminum “Hot” tie. Hot sticks must be used to perform this event. Wire tongs and saddles or lay out arms shall be used. Teams must provide their own live line tools.
Mean Time: 8 minutes Drop Dead Time: 10 minutes
Hurtman Rescue
Description: This event will simulate the rescue of an injured worker. Construction will consist of an 8’ wooden crossarm mounted on a 40’ wood pole. The climber will be required to perform a full transfer over the neutral line when ascending and descending the pole. The climber’s belt, hooks, and rubber gloves in glove bag will be lying on the ground at arm’s length from the pole. Climber may tool up bare handed, but rubber gloves are required before touching pole!
Note: Both journeymen will compete in this event. Scores and times will be averaged and entered as one score.
Mean Time: 4 minutes Drop Dead Time: 6 minutes
Competition Eligibility Requirements
APPA Member Utility: All participants must be employed by an APPA member municipal utility, joint action agency, or state/regional association.
Team: A team consists of two journeyman linemen and one ground support person. This three-person team is permitted to rotate roles between events. An apprentice can serve as the ground support person on the team.
Alternates: If a team member can no longer continue to participate, that individual is out of the competition for the remainder of the event. The team can then substitute a registered alternate for the missing team member. The groundman can be an alternate if he/she is a journeyman lineworker. The activation of an alternate within the team must be approved by the Journeyman Master Judge.
Apprentice: A person is considered an apprentice for four years after he/she enters an apprentice program.
Questions
- For answers to event-specific questions, see the Competitor FAQ section below. To submit an event-specific question, please complete the 2026 Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo FAQ form.
- For general rodeo questions, contact Rodeo@PublicPower.org.
Eligibility and Policies
Competition Eligibility Requirements
Public Power: All participants must be employed by a public power utility, joint action agency, or state/regional association.
Team: A team consists of two journeyman linemen and one ground support person. This three-person team is permitted to rotate roles between events.
Alternates: If a team member can no longer continue to participate, that individual is out of the competition for the remainder of the event. The team can then substitute a registered alternate for the missing team member. The groundman can be an alternate if he/she is a journeyman lineworker. The activation of an alternate within the team must be approved by the Journeyman Master Judge.
Apprentice: A person is considered an apprentice for four years after he/she enters an apprentice program.
One Registration Per Person: An individual person may only register in one of these roles: Team, Alternate, Apprentice, or Judge/Auditor. For example, a Judge cannot also serve as an alternate; or an apprentice who is competing in the Apprentice competition cannot also serve as the part of a Team. Individuals who register to participate in any of these roles may also register for the training courses.
Utility Class Categorization: Utilities are placed in the three size categories according to the most recent (2024) EIA data.
Note: If a team includes competitors employed by multiple utilities, that team will compete in the size category based on the largest utility on that team.
Rodeo Policies
Contact Us
Registration: Registration@PublicPower.org
Program/Content: Rodeo@PublicPower.org
Sponsorship/Expo: Sponsorship@PublicPower.org
Hotel: Meetings@PublicPower.org
Billing: Finance@PublicPower.org