Date:	September 13-16, 2022
Time:	Day 1: Sep 13, 2022 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Day 2: Sep 14, 2022 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Day 3: Sep 15, 2022 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Day 4: Sep 16, 2022 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Location:	MMUA Training Center, 1004 Michigan Road, Marshall, MN Get Directions
This event is now closed for online registration

About the School

Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA), along with our partners Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) and American Public Power Association (APPA), are pleased to offer the Underground School.

NOTE: Members of MREA need to register on their site directly.

What You Will Learn 

GENERAL SESSIONS

The General Sessions are held on the first and last day of the School. Participants must attend these sessions to receive full credit for course hours.

Tuesday, September 13

A Lineworker’s Worst Nightmare
Every year in the United States there are multiple lineworker accidents and deaths caused from a contact incident. Every person in the industry should always have this in the back of their minds about the what if’s. Hear firsthand from one of these people on how their accident occurred and how it has affected their lives and the lives of those around them since that day.

Friday, September 16

Safety is Number One, Brent Jeffries, Bierer Meters
Bierer Meters has been in business for over 30 years. They have been providing lineworkers dependable tools such as phasing meters, voltage detectors, personal grounds, and more. This session will give participants the proper knowledge and best practices on how to use these meters to get accurate readings when needed.

TWO CLASS OPTIONS: Multi-Session Class or Advanced Class

MULTI-SESSION CLASS DETAILS

Note: The Multi-Session Class is intended for lineworkers of all experience levels. Registrants will rotate through the following sessions. (The Advanced Class does not rotate.)

Session #1 - Troubleshooting and System Maintenance
Participants will have the opportunity to practice several different troubleshooting techniques including testing, grounding and proper rubber cover up. A primary goal will be to focus on becoming proficient at system maintenance while adhering to all safe work practices and methods. Different scenarios will be presented that participants will be instructed to repair/fix. Scenarios may include broken jumpers, delta-bank backfeed, tracking insulators, cracked/broken cutouts, tree on line, etc.

Everyone understands that working on lines or equipment as deenergized requires testing and grounding. This class offers instruction on the proper methods of grounding lines and equipment. Students will be taught the proper way to utilize phasing sticks in the process of grounding, as well as phasing in cables.

Session #2 - Capacitor Bank and Maintenance
 Placing power factor correction and passive harmonic filtering equipment on an electrical system needs to be properly designed and maintained. This session will cover everything you need to know about capacitor banks--from knowing what a capacitor is to the result of placing one in service. The dangers associated with capacitor banks, proper fusing, proper testing, and safety precautions associated with working on capacitor banks will also be covered.

Session 3 - Construction of a Double Circuit Line
In this session, participants will be installing new poles within an existing pole line to increase height for an additional circuit. Individuals will receive the proper instructions on how to safely install the new poles and transfer over the existing lines. Several techniques for moving the existing line and creating a safe work environment will be utilized.

Session 4 - Staking Overhead Lines
Before the poles and wires go up, the lines must first be designed and staked. This session will cover the process involved when building new overhead lines. Having a straight line of poles is about more than aesthetics; the straighter the poles, the stronger the line will be making it more resistant to strong winds and ice.

ADVANCED CLASS DETAILS

GIS Mapping
Switching from paper maps to electronic maps can be a large undertaking. Get started learning about the fascinating and useful world of geographic information systems (GIS). In this course of the specialization GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis, you'll learn about what a GIS is, how to get started with the software yourself, how things we find in the real world can be represented on a map, and how we record locations using coordinates. This course will give you a strong foundation in mapping and GIS that will give you the understanding you need to work with GIS.

Minnesota Lineworkers Rodeo

The Minnesota Lineworkers Rodeo will take place on Tuesday, September 13 (just ahead of the Overhead School). Registration is free to members of MMUA and any lineworker can participate—you don't have to be from Minnesota!

Individual Events include:

• Hurtman Rescue
• Obstacle Course
• Mystery Event

​(There are no team events.)

Trophies/plaques will be awarded for top three finishers in each event and each category. Plus we will award an overall trophy in the Apprentice and Journeyman categories.

NOTE: Separate registration is required — registration deadline is August 15. Sorry, no onsite registration.

Optional Evening Activities

The following optional activities take place on Wednesday evening (at participant's expense). Sign up forms will be available during the school.

• Archery
• Golf 
• Sporting Clay Shoot

Overhead School Schedule*

Tuesday, September 13
1:00 pm Registration Check In
2:00 pm  General Session: A Lineworker's Worst Nightmare
5:00 pm  Reception/Rodeo Awards Presentation

Wednesday, September 14
8:30 am  Multi-Session Class and Advanced Class
12:00 pm  Lunch (provided)
12:30 pm  Multi-Session Class and Advanced Class (continued)
5:00 pm  Archery, Golf or Sporting Clay Shoot (at participant’s expense)

Thursday, September 15
8:30 am  Multi-Session Class and Advanced Class
12:00 pm  Lunch (provided)
12:30 pm  Multi-Session Class and Advanced Class (continued)

Friday, September 16
8:30 am  General Session: Bierer Meters – Safety is Number One
12:00 pm  Closing Comments & Wrap Up

*Schedule/program subject to change without notice.

What to Bring - both classes

• Hard Hat
• Safety Glasses
• Work Gloves
• Work Boots
• High Visibility Clothing/Outerwear—appropriate for the weather
• Fall Restraint

Certificate of Attendance

Overhead School participants earn 19.5 hours for attendance and a certificate will be available online upon completion. Watch for an email notification from MMUA after the school. Please note: we must have the participant's email address on file in order to send the certificate.

Registration Information

Registration Fee

Member—$465 per person
Non-Member—$690 per person

Registration fee increases $50 per person on August 5, 2022
Deadline to register: August 15, 2022

Registration fee includes workshop tuition, materials, Tuesday evening reception, Wednesday and Thursday lunch, refreshment breaks and a certificate of attendance.

Cancellations/Refunds

MMUA will issue a refund (less $30 processing fee per person) provided MMUA is notified of the cancellation by 4:30 pm on August 15, 2022, Sorry, no refunds issued for cancellations after August 15.

Hotel / Motel Information — Marshall, MN

Photographs

By registering for this event I, the attendee, authorize Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) to photograph me at this event and use such photographs in MMUA marketing materials (both electronic and print). I understand that I will not be paid for giving this consent. 

Questions?

If you have questions about the program and its content, contact Cody Raveling by phone 507.530.2096 or email craveling@mmua.org.

If you have questions or problems with registration or reservations, contact Theresa Neddermeyer by phone 763.551.1230 or email tneddermeyer@mmua.org.

A printable version of the Overhead School brochure is also available.