What Tools Should Transmission Linemen Carry?

The U.S.’s electrical grid includes about 200,000 miles of high voltage (that’s over 230 kilovolt) power lines. The transmission linemen who maintain this grid help to keep the country’s lights on. This network of wires provides a reliable supply of electricity across the nation, but what tools should transmission linemen carry to get the job done? For more information on how to best install and repair these lines, keep reading for our list of essential tools.

If you’re looking for transmission lineman wrenches for high-line utility pole installation and repair, Lowell offers 6 proven models. In terms of ratcheting lineman’s transmission tower wrenches, we recommend models 103T, 104T, 105T, 52 DS, 53 DS, and 152 DS. Transmission lineman wrenches provide the greatest flexibility for linemen dealing with multiple-sized hardware. These hand tools feature Lowell’s signature Bolt-Thru design, epoxy paint coatings for durability and easy cleaning, and high-visibility sockets.

The Right Tools for the Job

You can find all of our transmission lineman wrenches at these pages:

In addition, you’ll need to have necessary tools like pliers, screwdrivers, cutters, cable knives, ropes, and rulers. Critical safety equipment such as rubber gloves, leather protectors, steel-toed boots, nearby first-aid, and a hard hat are also must-haves. Typically, you carry all of these in your tool belt. Lowell’s business is making sure you have the right wrenches for the job every time.

The Road to Transmission Line Work

Thousands of people risk their lives everyday maintaining the electrical grid as transmission linemen. However, not everyone is cut out for the job. In observance of National Lineman Appreciation Day on April 18, we wanted to examine the most common qualities of a successful line worker. If you’re already a part of the field, these are the attributes you should be aiming for. If you’re thinking about starting any time soon, read our list below:

1. Physical Acumen and Mental Acuity

To become a lineman, you must have considerable physical and mental strength. Working on the line means lugging gear, pulling hefty cable and wire, and tolerating long hours day or night. Every day presents a different challenge, from unfinished job sites to a variety of inclement weather. Not to mention, dealing with high-voltage lines leaves very little room for error. A mistake on a pylon or transmission tower can be life-threatening for line work.

2. Stamina to Climb Tall Distances

Linemen need to be acclimated climbers, so this role isn’t for acrophobes (that’s fear of heights) or the faint of heart. To be blunt, if you aren’t 100% comfortable dangling several hundred feet above ground, then line work probably isn’t your calling. As a lineman, you’ll suspended above streets, cities, or freeways for most of your day. The plus side is that the untouched nature and scenic landscapes are a constant presence on your horizon. It’s not office work, but your corner view will beat most other jobs.

3. Intense Focus and a Calm Demeanor

Lineman work often ranks among the 10 most dangerous jobs in the U.S., with more than 20 workers per 100,000 casualties every year. It’s all because linemen traverse distances hundreds of feet in the air while installing and repairing electrical lines. As a result, they’re often the first people that emergency services deploy after natural disasters. Even though safety training is a major part of the role, linemen have to be aware of the tremendous sacrifice that many in their industry are willing to make.

4. 24/7 Dedication to the Career

Everything that comes with being a lineman makes it more than a career; it’s a lifestyle. Linemen put their mark on the world one electric pole at a time, so it requires a certain amount of pride to ensure each project lives up to their personal expectations. Because of this, one lapse in fatigue or one misplaced tool can ruin an entire zip code – or worse, someone’s life. It’s crucial for linemen to be able to dedicate the time and energy to acquire these skills.

Linemen’s families have to commit to the career choice, as well, because those long hours can take a toll. Emergencies and severe weather can call linemen into work suddenly, and they generally don’t return until the crisis is over. After all, only under these guidelines can transmission linemen fully commit to their career and safety of their communities.

5. Comprehensive Field Training

Working on high-voltage lines doesn’t require a doctoral thesis, but that doesn’t mean you can become a lineman overnight. The first step into this career involves becoming an apprentice, meaning at least four years of on-the-job practice. Afterward, you’ll graduate to a journeyman lineman. You must be willing to put the work in because your apprenticeship won’t be in an office – you’ll constantly be out in the field with different crews to learn the ropes.

Many aspiring linemen find out that they lack the dedication to fulfill these expectations. According to a senior training specialist at a Chicago linemen school, the dropout rate is about 65 percent among vocational training. To that end, Lowell strives to simplify utility installation and repair for those committed line workers who stick with it.

Recognizing Excellence in Line Work

With all the extensive training it takes to join this vocation, Lowell would like to thank all the people who choose this career path. We’re reaching out to all of our manufacturing partners ahead of April 18 to celebrate National Lineman Appreciation Day.

To make your lives easier, Lowell Corporation offers the best hand tools in the industry. For most manual lineman labor and machine design, there is a balance between cost and efficiency. Our ratchet technology strikes the best balance for productivity in construction, maintenance, and manufacturing operations. Let our ratchet and wrench technology make your labor go smoothly. With our essentials tools that every transmission lineman should carry, you’ll be backed by the most trusted name in the hand tool industry.

Lowell Corporation is proud to manufacture all of its tools right here in the U.S.A. in the heart of New England. All Lowell wrenches are 100% guaranteed with our two-year manufacturer warranty.

What Tools Should Transmission Linemen Carry?