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Sponsor Showcase Information and Schedule

The only way to secure a spot in the Sponsor Showcase is through sponsorship.

You will enjoy dedicated time with public power leaders as noted below, but you’re welcome to schedule individual appointments or engage drop-in visitors outside of these hours. Additionally, you can attend conference sessions and events, so you can learn about the industry and network with attendees during non-dedicated hours.

Please note that this is a table-top show, and all items must fit on your table. A six-foot table, two chairs, and a waste basket will be provided.

General Competitor FAQ

The deadline to submit questions has passed, but competitors will be able to ask judges event-specific questions during the 5-minute setup time before an event starts.

• What class of rubber gloves is required? Class 2 rubber gloves.
• What are the rules on long cuff leather gloves for ground hands during rodeo events? The rule has been relaxed by removing the verbiage that required a specific length of gauntlet on the work gloves. The general rules states that work gloves must be worn while working on the ground and/or any event where rubber gloves are not required. See “General Rules” #3, #18 and “2 Point Deductions” #21, #22.
• Does the Rodeo provide any tools or equipment? The competitor must supply all equipment and tools.
• Can the handline be hung on the arm? Yes, the handline can be hung on the arm.
• Can the nose bag be hung on the belt? No, the nose bag cannot be hung on the belt.
• What size conductors will be used for Apprentice and Journeyman events? All event conductors will be sized 2# ACSR.
• What type of pole will be used? TBD
• Can your own nose bag be used for every event? Yes, a lineworker's own nose bags can be used for every event.
• Do the linemen need to have a Journeyman card? You do not need to have a Journeyman card to compete as a journeyman. You must be working in a journeyman role or higher.
• Are plastics okay? If you are talking about the primary cover, then yes, as long as it is rated for the voltage.
• Is plastic extension hand legal? If so, what length? Yes, as long as it is a rated hot stick, you can maintain your MAD, and the tool is not modified.
• What is the minimum approach distance per voltage? Listed in the 17th edition APPA Safety Manual
• What tools do you supply for the event? None, unless stated in the description.
• Do we need to bring all the tools for the events? Yes, unless otherwise stated in the description.
• Can the public come and observe? Yes, the public can come and observe at no charge.
• How are apprentice events scored? To determine Overall Apprentice results, apprentices will be awarded points equivalent to their placement in each event. The lowest total points across all events will determine the overall winner. For example:

Apprentice 2 would win 1st Place Overall based on the lowest overall total points. Apprentice 1 would receive 2nd Place Overall and Apprentice 3 would receive 3rd Place Overall. If total points result in a tie, overall time will be the tiebreaker. This will be applied to overall results ONLY. Individual event results will continue to be based on actual score and time.

• What is the approximate spacing between poles at the event? The spacing between the poles will vary depending on the layout of the yard.
• Does each apprentice need to control their own handlines for sending materials up and down or are they allowed to have a groundman control it? Apprentices need to control their own handline.
• What brand and model is the mannequin that is used in the Rodeo? The mannequin used for the competition is manufactured by Buckingham and the model is the Toughbuck Rescue Dummy 6934-154.
• How much does the mannequin weigh that is used in the Hurtman Rescue? Approximately 150-160 lbs.
• Do all apprentice events, besides the Hurtman Rescue, start with belt and hooks on and arm length from the pole? Yes.
• While working can I hang a material bag from my climbing belt? No.
• Are competitors allowed to wear GoPros on their hard hats? Yes, however, it will be treated the same as any article of equipment or tool. If it falls off and comes to the ground, it will be a 2-point deduction as defined in #6 of the general rules.
• Can competitors use an extendo stick to hold a phase from the ground? No.
• Can we install cover up from the ground using an extendo stick? No.
• Can we float the neutral? No, you’ll need to transition over the neutral if the event contains it.
• Are we allowed to two part the hand line before running events? No, not before time starts unless otherwise noted in the event description.
• Can a hand line be hung over the neutral if we are under the neutral and not encroaching on minimum approach distance? Yes.
• Are apprentices allowed to hang hand lines with hooks on braces? No.

Apprentice Event FAQ

Arrestor Replacement Single Phase Two Wire

• Will there be new stingers for this event? Yes.
• What size wire will be used for the high side of the arrestor and the ground side? A # 6-sol copper will be used on both the high side and low side of the arrestor.
• Does the apprentice need to replace the L bracket that goes around the crossarm or is it just the arrestor? The Apprentice will need to replace the arrestors only, Not the L brackets.
• Will there be any type of washer on the 3/4" nut for the arrestor? There will be NO washer on the arrestor.
• Are apprentices allowed to hang bag with hook on braces? Yes, they will be able to hang the bag from the braces.  
• On the Arrestor replacement event, can we reuse the stinger from an old arrestor? New stingers and hot line clamps will be provided and must be used on the new arrestors. They can be prepped during the five-minute setup time.
• Will there be new hot line clamps available? Yes, there will be new hotline clamps available, and the apprentice can assemble during the five-minute setup time.
• Can the apprentice grab the hot taps with rubber gloves to put them in the shotgun in order to go on high sides? Yes, as long as they are NOT within the MAD.
• Can the apprentice send the handline to the ground before descending to the neutral and re-energizing? No, the handline must be taken and placed at each stopping point on the pole. It can be sent down after the arrestors are re-energized.
• How long will the jumper be from the top of the arrestor to the stirrup? It will be 50 inches, and we will have them pre-cut when the apprentice enters the event.
• Will the new stingers for arrestors be pre cut, and, if so, how long? And will there be new hot line clamps? New stingers and hot line clamps will be provided and must be used on the new arrestors. They can be prepped during the five-minute set up time.
• Will we be provided with new stingers for the arrestors, or will we reuse the ones made up? New stingers and hot line clamps will be provided and must be used on the new arrestors. They can be prepped during the five-minute set up time.  
• Will there be a washer on the L bracket or will it just be a nut? The L bracket will only have a nut.
• Do apprentices need to start their time with rubber gloves on? Apprentices may start the event with rubber gloves on but cannot do any groundwork or prep work with the rubber gloves. See general rule #19.
• Can we use a cross arm link stick to hang our handline. No use of this link will not be allowed.
• Must the climber transfer over the neutral, or can he do work without transferring?  Transferring over the neutral is required to change the arrestors properly.
• With the question about "will there be new stringers," is that the copper riser with hot line clamp? Yes, New copper stingers will be provided.
• How long will the stingers be on top the arrestor? Stingers will be 50 inches.
• Can the secondary be carried up with you after transfer? The climber will transfer correctly and be held to the standard found in safety manual, section 411 Fall Protection.
• Can the handline be hung with a bashlin cross arm iron? No, competitors may not use this device.
• Can we hang our handline on the eye nut that is on the backside of the neutral, or does it have to be hung around the pole? The handline will need to hung on the pole.

Single Phase Two Wire Tie-In/Un-Tie

• What tie spec will be used for the phase tie-in/un-tie? On the insulator tie-in, it is a 1,3,2 tie. Please refer to page 460 in the 14th edition of the lineman and cableman handbook or reference this tie illustration.
• Will the tie wire be #4 or #6 aluminum? This event will use a #4 tie wire.
• What will be used to dead end the wire? The event summary says an automatic sleeve and the event specifications says a new bell and shoe will be installed. Automatic sleeve will be utilized for sleeving conductor and new deadend shoe and bell shall be used to dead end conductor to pole
• Are the fiberglass arms on each event ten-foot or eight-foot arms? This event uses ten-foot arms.
• Is the roller hung with a pin, carter key, and nut? No, the roller only has a pin and carter key—no nut.
• If on the crossarm side of the pole, which side is the neutral on? If you are standing on the crossarm side of the pole, the neutral will be on your right side.
• How long will the aluminum tie wire be? The tie will be seven feet long.
• Do we have to hang our handline before we transfer over and under the neutral? Once you reach your working area, you can hang your handline on the pole. Once you complete your work, you will railroad your handline. Call out before you drop it.

Load Transfer

• Will the fiberglass arm be an 8 ft or 10ft? For the Load Transfer event, a 10’ fiber glass arm will be used.
• Why do I have to cover the neutral if I'm not crossing over it? The neutral will be covered in case of incidental contact.
• Will the shotgun stick be a six-foot or eight-foot stick? This event will use an eight-foot stick.
• Will the event use #4 or #6 aluminum tie wire? The event will use #4 aluminum tie wire.
• Is the high side copper #4 or #6? The event will use #6 copper high side.
• Can you take your gear on and off barehanded? Gloves must be worn for the event.
• Are we required to use a material bag to bring hoses up the pole, or can we just use the handline hook? It needs to go up and down the pole in a safe manner.
• Does the finger have to be in the eye of the barrel when closing in cutout? Yes, it must be in the ring, proper use of the switch much be used.
• Does the apprentice need to provide a tarp for setting the extendo on, or will one be provided? A tarp will be provided to place the stick on for this event.
• Can you take your gear on and off barehanded? Gloves must be worn for the event.
• Can we hang our handline on the eye nut that is on the backside of the neutral, or does it have to be hung around the pole? The handline will need to hung on the pole.
• Can we use primary rubbers over clean leather gloves?  No, this will not be allowed.

Written Test

• Will the test cover the entire APPA Safety Manual, or will there be specific sections? The questions will be based on the following sections of the 17th edition of the APPA Safety Manual:
  • Definitions
  • Section 115.5 Job Briefings
  • Section 115.7-115.10: Rescue
  • Section 503.1 – 503.7: Vehicle Operations
  • Section 503.12: Aerial Devices
  • Section 506: Tools and Equipment
  • Section 507: Overhead Distribution and Transmission
  • Section 509: Underground Lines and Equipment
     

Journeyman Event FAQ

URD New Install 12KV

• What is the Brand and Catalog Number of the 25 KV cable, and is it a solid or stranded conductor? It is a stranded conductor (photo #1, photo  #2): 
  Okonite: Kerite 
  302835
  1/0 25KV 1PH (260 MIL) EPR insulated-cable
• Will the primary conduit be on stand offs and if so, how many? What size conduit? The conduit will be three inch and will have four straps on the pole. One strap will be at ground level and the other three will be space out equally.
• How far will the padmount transformer be placed away from the pole? It will be eight feet from the pole to the center of the padmount.
• What side of the pole is the underground transformer on? If you are looking at the cutout, it is eight feet back and eight feet to the right of the pole. It is going to be on the opposite side of the neutral. Reference the site photo for a visual.
• Is a knife acceptable to skin wire, or will we be required to use a four-way skinner tool for the secondary? You can use whatever you would like to skin the wire as long as you don’t damage the conductor.
• Will the event start with the xfmr lid open or closed, and, if closed, will it be pentled down? The door will be closed but not locked.
• Does the concentric have to be done exactly like it's done in the photo as far as how it's folded down back onto the cable and then twisted? Yes, competitors must make up the concentric and termination to manufacture specs. Refer to event photos (image 1, image 2). Huntsville's pistol grip will be the same as shown in the live pictures online. Masking strips around the cable will not be required.  You will need to wrap a minimum of one drain wire lead around all concentric neutral to the drain eye of the elbow. Refer back to live pictures for examples.
• Can competitors prep materials out of the bag during the five-minute prep time? Yes, competitors can take everything out of the bag to get it ready during the five-minute prep time.
• Do competitors need to bring their own elbows? No, elbows will be provided.
• Will you be able to make up pistol grip without leather gloves to save the integrity of the cable? What are the rules on long cuff leather gloves for ground hands during rodeo events? The rule has been relaxed by removing the verbiage that required a specific length of gauntlet on the work gloves. The general rules states that work gloves must be worn while working on the ground and/or any event where rubber gloves are not required. See “General Rules” #3, #18 and “2 Point Deductions” #21, #22.

Storm Restoration

• How much tail will be required to leave on the end of the line on the dead end pole? Enough to go through shoe.
• Can you be clear on the proper way we will be required to ground? Per the APPA safety manual 514.1, when EPZ grounding can not be maintained, you must bracket ground.
• Will we have to cut the tail on the new wire coming out of the shoe, or can we leave it long since the event will be run again? Any thing over 12 inches all material must be sent up and down in a bag per general rules.
• While journeyman 1 is climbing the pole to apply grounds, can the fuse be taken down, refused, and hung back into the cutout by journeyman 2? Yes, competitors can refuse the barrel at any time after time starts for the event.
• Can you explain what tagging the handline means for the groundman? Ground man must tag handling out when climbers are climbing pole.
• Can we string old wire coming from double dead end out straight during the five minute set up time? No, old wire coming from double deaden will already be laid out on the ground simulating broken mid span.
• Can i have my climbing gear and tools layed out at dead end pole during the five minute set up time being all competitors will be starting from the grounding pole? Yes.
• Can the long stick be run out while the climber is working on the middle pole? Yes, as long as it does not make contact with anything on pole or wire until the climber gets on the ground.
• What size will the fuse be? Fuses will be a 15 or smaller.
• Do we need a separate tarp on the dead end pole? No, one tarp at the middle pole will be fine.
• Will we be allowed to stretch the old, broken wire straight before the event, or how will the old wire be laying? The old wire will be laid out on the ground simulating a broken mid span. The only wire you are allowed to stretch out is the new wire during setup time to measure. The new wire must be coiled back up before time starts.
• Do you both sleeves have to be used? If so, does one have to be used at the dead pole? No, only one sleeve will be used. The second one is just in case the first one doesn’t work. 

OCR Replacement

• Can you provide the manufacture/model of the OCR and/or get a picture of top. Is there a lifting eye on top for rigging? Refer to event photos (image 1, image 2, image 3). 

• Will the neutral be on the same side of the pole as the OCR? Yes, it will be on the same side as the OCR.

• Can the second climber start climbing as sone as first climber reaches the neutral and is crossing over? Or can both climbers climb at the same time? Please refer to the General Rules—no, two climbers cannot climb at the same time.

• What is the bolt spacing between the top bolt of the OCR and the top bolt of fuse bracket? This measurement is 52 inches.

Pin and Insulator Change Out 12KV

• Will the two saddles and one wire tong be considered two positive points of control, or is a clamp stick required? Yes, that is considered two points of control. If this method is used a clamp stick is not required.
• Can you be more specific about what sticks and what methods of moving the wire can be used? For more details, please refer to the event photos.
• Can the tag line be an extendo stick with a pigtail down to the ground? An extendo stick is not considered an appropriate live-line tool for the scope of work being performed and should not be used for this application.
• When using the layout arm method, do you still have to use the clamp stick and wire tong, or can you use a shotgun stick? If a competitor utilizes the layout arm method, two clamp sticks must be used to move the wire. When using this method, a wire tong will not be required. Please refer to Item #8 of the event description, which clearly states “NO SHOTGUNS” are permitted.
• When using the lay out arm method, is a handline attached to an insulated clamp stick controlled by the ground man sufficient control of the phase when tying and untying? In the description it says an insulated tag line must be used when using the lay out arm method; do we need both that and a lineman on the pole controlling the wire with a stick to be able to un tie? The use of a hand line for a tag line is not considered a safe work practice and will not be permitted as a method to control the conductor. This approach does not provide the level of control and protection required to maintain proper safety standards in the work zone.
• What is the stock code for the pole-top pin on the pin and insulator change out? See event photos for details (image 1, image 2).
• Will we reuse the same bolts for the pole top pin or will we be given new bolts at the beginning of the event? The existing bolts may be reused. Two new bolts will be provided.
• Is it permissible for the lineman on the pole to install the cover up on top of the pole with gloves hand as long as they do not contact the energized primary, or will the cover up have to be installed with a rated stick? No, that is now allowed.

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