17 Powerline Technician Interview Questions and Answers

Powerline technicians, also known as lineworkers, install and maintain the electrical grid that delivers power to homes and businesses. They work with high-voltage equipment and are responsible for keeping the power flowing to millions of people.

If you’re interested in becoming a powerline technician, you’ll need to go through an interview process. This guide will help you prepare for powerline technician interview questions so you can get the job you want.

Powerline technician interview questions will focus on your technical skills, work experience, and ability to work safely. You’ll also need to have a valid driver’s license and be able to pass a drug test.

Are you familiar with the National Electrical Code?

The National Electrical Code is a set of regulations that govern the safe installation and maintenance of electrical systems. Employers ask this question to make sure you are familiar with the code, as it’s an important part of your job. In your answer, explain that you have read through the National Electrical Code and understand its requirements. If you haven’t read through the entire document, tell the interviewer when you plan to do so.

Example: “I am very familiar with the National Electrical Code. I actually worked for a powerline technician who was certified in the NEC. He would give us weekly lessons on different sections of the code, which helped me learn more about how to safely install and maintain powerlines.”

What are the primary safety precautions you take when working with high-voltage power lines?

Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to keep yourself safe while working on power lines. High-voltage power lines can be dangerous, so it’s important that you have the right training and experience to work with them. In your answer, explain what steps you take to ensure your own safety when working with high-voltage power lines.

Example: “I always wear insulated gloves and boots when working with high-voltage power lines. I also use a harness system to prevent myself from falling if I were to lose my balance. When working with high-voltage power lines, I try to avoid any distractions so I can focus on the task at hand. I also stay away from alcohol or drugs before starting work.”

How would you respond if you discovered a hazardous condition while working on a power line?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the proper training and experience to work on power lines. They want to know that you can recognize a hazardous situation and take appropriate action. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure your own safety and the safety of others.

Example: “If I discovered a hazardous condition while working on a power line, I would immediately stop working and call my supervisor for help. If it was safe enough, I would try to fix the problem myself. However, if I couldn’t do so safely, I would wait for my supervisor to arrive. Once they arrived, we would assess the situation together and decide how best to proceed.”

What is your process for identifying the phase, neutral and ground wires when connecting two power lines?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the technical aspects of powerline technician work. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for identifying these wires and how you use them in your work.

Example: “I first make sure that both power lines are turned off before I begin my inspection. Then, I check the phase wire by looking at the color coding on each wire. The neutral wire will be white or black, while the ground wire will be green or bare copper. After inspecting all three wires, I connect the two power lines.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision while working on a power line.

When an interviewer asks you a question like this, they’re trying to understand how you make decisions and whether your decision-making process is effective. In your answer, try to explain the steps you took to reach your conclusion and what factors influenced your choice.

Example: “When I was working for my previous employer, we had a situation where a power line needed to be repaired but there were no safe places to do so. The only option was to repair it while it was live, which would have been very dangerous. However, if we didn’t repair it, the power outage could have lasted for days or even weeks. Ultimately, I decided that repairing the line while it was live was our best option.”

If you made a mistake while working on a power line, what would be your course of action?

Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle a mistake and learn from it. When answering, be honest about what you would do in that situation and explain why you would take the course of action you did.

Example: “If I made a mistake while working on a power line, I would first assess the damage caused by my error. If there was no danger to myself or others, I would fix the problem as quickly as possible. If there were any safety concerns, I would call for backup and wait until another technician arrived before fixing the issue. After making sure everything was safe, I would then repair the problem.”

What would you do if you noticed a co-worker engaging in unsafe behavior while working on a power line?

Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to keep yourself and your co-workers safe while working on power lines. In your answer, explain that you would first try to educate the person about why their behavior is unsafe. If they still don’t understand or continue engaging in unsafe behavior, you would report them to a supervisor so they can take appropriate action.

Example: “I have seen many coworkers engage in unsafe behaviors while working on power lines. For example, I once saw a coworker climb up onto a power line tower without any safety equipment. When I asked him why he was doing it, he said he wanted to get a better view of the surrounding area. I explained to him that climbing up there could be very dangerous and that we should always use proper safety equipment when working on power lines.”

How well can you see in low-light conditions, such as at night or in a dark attic?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to work independently and safely in low-light conditions. Your answer should demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and experience to complete tasks in these environments.

Example: “I’ve worked as a powerline technician for five years, so I’m quite comfortable working at night or in dark attics. In fact, I prefer working at night because it’s usually much quieter than during the day. During my first year on the job, I had to learn how to use my tools and equipment in low light. Now, I can perform most of my tasks without needing additional lighting.”

Do you have experience using power line tools and equipment?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience level and determine if you have the skills necessary for the job. If you don’t have any experience using power line tools, explain what types of equipment you’re familiar with and how you would use them safely.

Example: “I’ve used a variety of power line tools in my previous role as a powerline technician. I’m comfortable working with all types of power lines, including aerial, underground and overhead lines. I also know how to use various power line testing equipment, such as voltage detectors and current meters.”

When is it appropriate to use a power line splice?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of proper splicing techniques. Use examples from your experience to highlight your understanding of when and how to properly use a power line splice.

Example: “In my last role, I was working on a project that required me to replace an existing wire with a new one. However, there were no available wires long enough to complete the job. In this situation, it’s best to perform a splice because it allows you to connect two different wires together without having to cut them completely. This is important because cutting a wire can cause it to lose its electrical current.”

We want to ensure our power lines can withstand severe weather conditions. What would you do to prepare for a storm?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of safety measures and how you apply them. In your answer, explain the steps you would take to ensure that power lines are safe during a storm.

Example: “I would first check the weather forecast for severe storms. If there is a risk of lightning or high winds, I would make sure all employees are aware of the situation and have an emergency plan in place. Then, I would inspect the entire system to look for any damage or loose connections. Finally, I would make sure all equipment is ready so we can respond quickly if anything goes wrong.”

Describe your experience with climbing utility poles.

Climbing poles is a major part of being a powerline technician. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the physical capabilities and experience climbing poles safely. In your answer, explain that you are physically fit enough to climb poles. Share any training or certifications you have in pole climbing.

Example: “I am very physically fit and experienced with climbing utility poles. I’ve been doing it for five years now, so I feel confident about my abilities. I also completed a certification course on safe pole climbing last year. This course taught me how to use safety equipment while climbing poles. It also gave me valuable tips on how to avoid dangerous situations when working at heights.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this power line technician position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are the best candidate for this position. Consider highlighting any relevant experience or skills that align with what they’re looking for in an employee.

Example: “I am passionate about working outdoors and enjoy being physically active. I also have several years of experience as a power line technician, so I know what it takes to succeed in this role. In my previous job, I was responsible for maintaining all aspects of the power grid, including repairing damaged lines and installing new ones. I’m confident that I can do the same here.”

Which power line tools do you prefer to use and why?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and how you use tools to complete projects. Use examples from your previous job to explain which tools you prefer, why they’re useful and what types of projects you’ve used them on in the past.

Example: “I have a lot of experience with using power line locators because I find them very helpful when locating underground lines. In my last position, I used this tool frequently to locate buried power lines before digging so that we could avoid damaging any existing infrastructure. Another tool I like is the voltage detector because it’s easy to use and helps me ensure that I’m working safely.”

What do you think is the most challenging part of this job?

This question can help the interviewer get an idea of what you think is challenging about this job and how you would handle it. Your answer should show that you are up for a challenge, but also that you know how to overcome challenges.

Example: “The most challenging part of this job is working in areas where there isn’t much space. I’ve worked with powerline technicians who have had to work on lines while lying down or even hanging from them. It’s definitely not easy, but I find that if you take your time and focus on what you’re doing, you can complete these tasks safely.”

How often do you perform routine maintenance on your power line tools and equipment?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much experience you have with power line tools and equipment. It can also show them your commitment to keeping your tools in good condition. A great answer is one that shows you understand the importance of regular maintenance and are willing to do it yourself.

Example: “I know that regular maintenance on my tools and equipment is important for their safety and longevity. I perform routine maintenance checks at least once a month, but if I notice something wrong before then, I’ll take care of it right away. For example, when I noticed a loose screw on my clamp last week, I took the time to tighten it so I could continue working safely.”

There is a power line outage during a storm, but the cause is unclear. What is your process for investigating the issue?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for investigating the outage, including how you would prioritize tasks and communicate with other technicians or supervisors.

Example: “I would first check all of my equipment to make sure it’s functioning properly. Then I would go to the closest substation and check the voltage there. If the voltage is normal, then I would move on to the next substation. If the voltage is low at any point along the way, that means there is a break in the line somewhere between that substation and the one where the voltage is low. I would continue this process until I find the location of the break.”