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Questions & Answers
Safety - Excellence - Honor
Have a question about FLC 2025?
Email FLC Master Chief Judge James Alexander at jalexander@ouc.com and with your query or comment and we'll respond asap.
Once your questions is answered we'll add to a list below to help other competitors.
Q - In the faulted cable event the rule states (you must remove the hot line clamp before transferring over the neutral) if you don't transfer over the neutral can you keep the hot line clamp attached to the primary?
A - You must remove the hot line clamp.
Q - Do you have to take the shotgun stick off the hotline clamp after removing it from the stirrup, or can you leave it hanging?
A - See General Rules, two point deductions #35
Q - Can you post pictures of the hot line clamps and stirrups being used, and what diameter, type, and length of the jumper wire.
A – Please refer to the event spec for wire and lengths.
A - The event Summary states in the last line of the paragraph, " Time will stop when apprentice returns to the ground and has made up the handline."
Q - Specs show #2 aaac for wire and preform but descriptions says 1/0. Which will it be on rodeo day?
A - The conductor will be 1/0 AAAC.
Q - On the cross arm 35kv insulator change out, the event is dead and grounded, will we be allowed to compete in leather gloves, also do we need a full handline on this event?
A – This is a “Dead and Grounded” event. A complete handline is required.
Q - In all apprentice events do we have to hang your handline while transferring or only in your working position?
A – See General Rules, two point deductions #12
Q - When hanging handline, can you hang it on the neutral or other equipment
Q - Once the wire is moved from the layout arm to the newly installed insulator, can the hot tie be tied in by hand with proper PPE and cover?
A - You must follow the APPA safety manual for energized 4kV work and maintain the event specifications.
1. Can you untap the arrestor by hand?
Proper energized work techniques must be used according to the 17th Edition APPA Safe Work Practice Manual.
Q - Will the arrestor have a ground wire on bottom side? What type of stirrup will be used(squeeze on style or stirrup with hotline clamp)?
A – Yes and the ground wire will only be stapled to the bottom side of the crossarm, no pole ground. The terminals on the arrestors will be a 3/8 nut, 9/16 wrench is needed. HLCS pictured below.
All nuts will be 9/16 wrench
Q - Do you need to cover the phase once it’s in the layout arm while you change out the insulator as long as you don’t overreach your gloves or make incidental contact.
A – M.A.D. must be obtained at all times to energized potentials.
Q - Do you need to cover the phase wile changing out the arrester if you don’t overreach your gloves or make incidental contact with the phase.
A – M.A.D. must be obtained at all times to energized potentials.
Event Spec Sheet Revisions
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The second bullet under “Event Supplied Materials” has been updated to read (2) 40” pieces instead of (2) 30” pieces.
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Can you install a baker board or ground the wire and put it on by hand?
No, you cannot use a baker board or ground the wire. Per the event specs you must use 2 wire tongs to move the wire in and out, and you must use hot sticks to open the roller, install the rod and tie it in on the insulator. The only time you can put your hands on the wire is when the event time has stopped, and you are putting the event back to make ready for the next team.
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Q - What is the voltage that we are basing our MAD on?
A - The voltage is based off it being previously energized at 7200V.
- Q - Regarding the armor rod install this be done with our class 2 gloves, correct?
A - Your P.P.E. must meet the requirements for working the voltage class of the event. This event is being simulated as a single phase 7200/12470 circuit.
Q: How will the new wire be laid out? On a reel, stretched out, or a hand coil? Can we roll it out in 5 minute setup time?
A: On a reel, yes, it can be rolled out in the set up time.
Correction: The phrase “at or” has been removed from line #17 of the “Event Specifications” section, specifically after the words “…must be below…”.
Q - Can we headache the old wire when you remove it from the shoe, at pole location #2. (Deadend pole)
A - No, you can not headache the old wire down.
Correction:
The second sentence under the “Event Summary” section has been updated as follows:
Original:
“The primary conductor will be broken midspan, with both ends lying on the ground.”
Revised:
“The primary conductor will be broken midspan. Only the line side of the conductor will lie on the ground. The dead-end pole will have only the polybell and shoe in place.”
Q - Do we have to use a crossarm extension arm at all during the event if two points of control are kept the entire time while we untie and replace insulator?
A - Yes, you must use a crossarm extension arm to rest the conductor in temporarily.