Underground School MMUA/APPA/MREA May 16-19, 2017 MMUA Training Center, Marshall, MN 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 2017 Underground School. Underground School offers a variety of hands-on training classes and an advanced technical course on underground distribution design. In addition to top-notch instructors, we strive to keep class sizes small to maximize participation and learning. Whether you are a seasoned Journeyman looking to stay current or are an Apprentice just starting out--this school offers something for everyone.
2017 Underground School Class Overview GENERAL SESSIONS The General Sessions are held on the first and last day of the School. Participants must attend both General Sessions to receive full credit for course hours. Tuesday, May 16 Competent Person Training for Excavations Instructor: TBD This session will address the knowledge needed by the competent person, as defined by OSHA. This class is based on the requirements of Subpart P of the federal OSHA CFR 1926 construction standards for trenching and excavations. Soil testing and requirements for protective systems will be covered, along with excavation hazards. Friday, May 19 Advanced Rigging and Load Securement 8:30 am-10:30 am Instructor: Marc Machacek, MMUA This course is designed to expand lineworkers knowledge and understanding of rigging and loading transformers and other large equipment. The class will reference the Federal Motor Carrier Standards, MnOSHA regulations, MnDOT requirements and current best practices for load securement. Class participation will involve tabletop exercises including rigging and loading of equipment, the use of proper signaling and real-life investigations of improperly loaded equipment. Fault Indicators 11:00-Noon Instructor: Steve Cook, Rochester Public Utilities This session will serve as an introduction to fault indicators, including: The basics of how fault indicators work; How fault indicators can be used to reduce time determining outage cause and speed restoration; High-level review of the different styles of fault indicators and their applications. Samples of fault indicators from several major suppliers will be looked at and discussed. HANDS-ON CLASS OPTIONS Registrants select ONE of the following classes. Classes are held concurrently May 17-18. Hands-on Classes: These classes are intended for lineworkers of all experience levels. Class 1: Substation Feeder Circuit Construction Instructors: Miles Heide and Wade Williams, Fairmont Public Utilities; Todd Keach, Rochester Public Utilities This class will add a new feeder circuit out of the East substation. Crews will pull in 500 MCM wire from the sub to a riser location using state of the art pulling equipment. Participants will also be instructed on the correct ways of terminating in the substation and on the riser. In addition, participants will be instructed on preparing the work site and identifying any hazards that may be in the area. This class will focus on safety and proper procedures to increase confidence and expand knowledge of the tasks at hand. Class 2: Preventative Maintenance Using Infrared Instructors: Paul Twite, Delano Municipal Utilities; Rich Maxfield, MMUA This class is designed for both beginners and experienced users of infrared technology at electric utilities. We will discuss fundamentals of thermal properties and how it relates to electrical distribution maintenance as well as demonstrate new infrared cameras in a hands-on setting. We will work in teams to collect infrared images, make diagnosis of root cause and create a report to document the work. Class 3: Underground System Maintenance, Repair and Troubleshooting Instructors: Scott Thoreson, Elk River Municipal Utilities; Clark Backstrom, Brainerd Public Utilities; James Monroe, New Ulm Public Utilities Underground system maintenance and repair is the heartbeat of your utility. The expertise to find and replace damaged or suspected problems before that unplanned outage is of paramount importance, given the use of computers and other sensitive electronics by your residential, business and industrial customers. Crews will be given an outage scenario and will need to figure out the correct way of restoring power hands-on, while following proper safety procedures. Topics for this class include: Proper Isolating, Testing and Grounding Appropriate Methods When Installing and Removing Elbow Terminations Tool Selection for Terminating Cable Tailgate Switching Procedure Lock-Out/Tag-Out Troubleshooting Phase Identification Rotation Class 4: Underground Utility Locating Instructors: Kevin Kollos, Ditch Witch; Additional Instructors TBD This class--developed through real-world experience and refined by more than a decade of classroom and field instruction--specializes in taking the fear out of locating through hands-on participation and assessment. Participants will learn practical solutions to routine problems. They will also gain an appreciation of their role in cable locating, damage prevention and recognizing bad locating habits. We offer a variety of locating scenarios, designed to address the needs of electric utility employees attempting to meet OSHA standards and best practices.
ADVANCED CLASS This class is intended for seasoned lineworkers, engineers who may be new to the field of linework, staking personnel and other appropriate personnel. Class 5: Underground Distribution Design, Protection & Management Instructor: Gary Roskos, Roskos Technical Services Underground distribution design is a complex and extensive capital venture. Understanding proper system layout and design, coupled with critical planning, is essential to ensure system reliability, operability and economic return on utility investments. This course will review fundamental principles of proper underground design and all aspects of proper planning. Topics include: Financial Consideration of System Expansion--Can we afford it? How do we pay for it? What is depreciation and why is it important? Near-term & Long-term Needs of the Electrical System Substation Expansion & Planning Feeder Capacity, Design Switchgear & Protective Schemes; Device Considerations Reliability System--Maintenance & Future Expansion Proper Transformer Sizing--Commercial, Residential; Transformer Evaluation by Loss Evaluation Methods. Schedule Tuesday, May 16 12:00-1:00 pm Registration 1:00-4:00 pm Competent Person 5:00-7:00 pm Pizza Reception - at The Gambler Wednesday, May 17 8:30 am-4:00 pm Breakout Session: Tabletop Splicing and Terminations 8:30 am-12:00 pm Hands-On and Advanced Class 12:00-12:30 pm Lunch served at Training Center 12:30-4:00 pm Hands-On and Advanced Class 5:00 pm Golfing or Sporting Clay Shoot (at participant s expense) Thursday, May 18 8:30 am-4:00 pm Breakout Session: Tabletop Splicing and Terminations 8:30 am-12:00 pm Hands-On and Advanced Class 12:00-12:30 pm Lunch served at Training Center 12:30-3:00 pm Hands-On and Advanced Class 3:00-4:00 pm Lineworker Rodeo Mystery Event Friday, May 19 8:30-10:30 am Advanced Rigging and Load Securement 11:00-12:00 pm Fault Indicators Breakout Session Wednesday and Thursday, May 17 and 18 Tabletop Splicing and Terminations Instructors: Jim Stephens, 3M; Bill Bumgarner, Austin Utilities For utilities looking for a reliable alternative to compression connections, 3M offers the Shearbolt Connectors, QCI Series. Jim will demonstrate how to properly terminate a splice using volunteers to assist him. This breakout session will be ongoing on Wednesday and Thursday, rotating students so each has an opportunity to participate. Lineworker Rodeo Mystery Event Thursday, May 18 This mystery event is open to all classes of lineworker, from first-year Apprentice to the advanced Journeyman. This fun event demonstrates safe working practices and a little speed. A trophy plaque will be awarded to the person with the best time and fewest infractions. Attendance Certificate Each participant will receive a certificate of attendance indicating the course/hours. Watch for an email from MMUA after the School. Evening Activities (optional) Tuesday, May 16 5:00pm-7:00 pm Pizza Reception The reception is a great venue for reconnecting with old friends and meeting new people, while enjoying free pizza! Wednesday, May 17 5:00 pm Sporting Clay Shoot or Golf At participant s expense, we will arrange a fun evening of golf at one of the local golf courses or an evening of shooting sporting clays at Shooter s Sporting Clays. What to Bring? Hands-On Classes: Hard Hat Safety Glasses Work Gloves Work Boots High Visibility Clothing Appropriate for the Weather Rain Gear (just in case) Advanced Class: Note Pad & Pen/Pencil Calculator Hard Hat High Visibility Clothing Appropriate for the Weather
2017 Underground School Registration Information Registration Fees (if registered on/by April 14, 2017) Member - $440 per person Non-member - $690 per person Cancellations/Refunds MMUA will issue a refund (less $25 processing fee per person) provided MMUA is notified of the cancellation by 4:30 pm on April 24, 2017. Registration fee increases $50 on April 15, 2017. Deadline to register is April 24, 2017. QUESTIONS? Please contact Theresa Neddermeyer by email tneddermeyer@mmua.org or call 763-551-1230. Registration fee includes workshop tuition, materials, two lunches, refreshment breaks, and a certificate of attendance. Hotel / Motel Information - Marshall, MN AmericInn and Ramada offer special pricing for participants. Just ask for MMUA s reduced rate when making your reservation. (Note: Yellow arrow indicates location of MMUA Training Center.)
2017 Underground School Registration Form 4413.01 May 16-19, 2017 MMUA Training Center 1004 Michigan Road Marshall, MN 56258 Attendee Information This form may be used to register multiple people if they are taking the same class. Name: (2) Name: (3) Name: Class Selection (indicate 1st and 2nd choice) We will make every effort to accommodate your first choice. If you are selecting the Advanced Class, a second choice is not necessary. Class 1: Substation Feeder Circuit Construction Class 2: Preventative Maintenance Using Infrared Class 3: Underground System Maintenance, Repair & Troubleshooting Class 4: Underground Utility Locating ADVANCED CLASS: Class 5: Underground Distribution Design, Protection & Management Utility/Co. Address: Primary Contact: Email: Phone: Registration Fees (by April 14, 2017) Member Rate - $440 per person Non-Member Rate - $690 per person Note: Registration fees increase $50 per person on April 15. Registration deadline April 24. Conference Fee: $ x Number of Attendees: Total Due $ Payment Options Check Payable to MMUA Bill Utility/Company Purchase order Credit Card Visa MasterCard Discover Name as it Appears on Card Cardholder s Signature Credit Card Number Expiration Date Card Code on Back REFUND: MMUA will issue a refund (less $25 processing fee per person) provided MMUA is notified of the cancellation by 4:30 p.m. on April 24, 2017. Sorry, no refunds after April 24. PHOTOGRAPHS: By registering for this conference, I, the attendee(s) named above, 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. Registering is Easy! Online: www.mmua.org/event/underground-2017 Mail: MMUA 3025 Harbor Lane North, Suite 400 Plymouth, MN 55447-5142 Email: tneddermeyer@mmua.org Fax: 763-551-0459 Deadline to Register April 24