At the International Lineman's Expo, lineworkers not only have the opportunity to test out the latest tools, but they also can engage in contests on the show floor.
For example, apprentices and journeymen lineworkers competed in the PLP Armor Rod Install Challenge at the 2024 International Lineman's Expo. The top 16 finishers competed in the finals during the second day of the Expo.
The contestants were tasked with installing a set of Armor Rods and a distribution tie. Armor Rods are designed to protect electrical conductors against bending, compression and abrasion at the support point. They are preformed and manufactured to exact specifications so that they easily wrap around the conductor by hand, quickly snapping into place to provide a secure fit, according to PLP.
The winner for the 2024 competition is Nathan Schippers, line foreman for Midwest Energy. Last year, Theron Tucker, an apprentice for the same utility, also won the competition. To listen to a Line Life Podcast episode featuring Theron, click here.
Congratulations to Nathan for winning this year's PLP Armor Rod Install Challenge competition!
