Will AI Replace Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers?

Adhere to safety practices and procedures, such as checking equipment regularly and erecting barriers around work areas.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Install, maintain, and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems, including conduits, cables, wires, and related equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switches.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems, using reading and testing instruments.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Coordinate work assignment preparation and completion with other workers.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Replace or straighten damaged poles.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

String wire conductors and cables between poles, towers, trenches, pylons, and buildings, setting lines in place and using winches to adjust tension.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Attach cross-arms, insulators, and auxiliary equipment to poles prior to installing them.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Dig holes, using augers, and set poles, using cranes and power equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Travel in trucks, helicopters, and airplanes to inspect lines for freedom from obstruction and adequacy of insulation.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Identify defective sectionalizing devices, circuit breakers, fuses, voltage regulators, transformers, switches, relays, or wiring, using wiring diagrams and electrical-testing instruments.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Install watt-hour meters and connect service drops between power lines and consumers' facilities.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Test conductors, according to electrical diagrams and specifications, to identify corresponding conductors and to prevent incorrect connections.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Place insulating or fireproofing materials over conductors and joints.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Splice or solder cables together or to overhead transmission lines, customer service lines, or street light lines, using hand tools, epoxies, or specialized equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Trim trees that could be hazardous to the functioning of cables or wires.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Pull up cable by hand from large reels mounted on trucks.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Lay underground cable directly in trenches, or string it through conduit running through the trenches.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Cut trenches for laying underground cables, using trenchers and cable plows.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Cut and peel lead sheathing and insulation from defective or newly installed cables and conduits prior to splicing.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Clean, tin, and splice corresponding conductors by twisting ends together or by joining ends with metal clamps and soldering connections.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.