COURSE DESCRIPTION & OUTLINE
The Basic Underground School introduces personal protective grounding on an Underground Distribution System (URD). Topics include safe working practices and procedures, terminators, elbows, transformers, and underground installation. Upon completion, students will be able to relate safety practices associated with URD systems and demonstrate proper underground system makeup.
- Cable Identification & Characteristics
- Change Bushing and Fuse
- Confined Space Rescue
- Constructing the following:
- Personal Protective Grounding of Transformers and URD Cables
- Safety Inspection & Maintenance of Trenchers and Backhoes
- Underground Safety
- Underground Specifications
- Underground Stripping Tool Use
- URD Transformer Maintenance
Students are required to bring hand tools and required PPE (hard hat, work gloves, rubber gloves and protectors, ANSI Z87 safety glasses, work boots). Students are encouraged to bring a clean pair of shoes to wear inside the classroom. Those with damaged or defective equipment will be dismissed.
This school is not intended to certify an individual as outlined in (a) (2) (vii) of the 1910.269 Electrical Power Generation Transmission and Distribution Standard.
TIMES:
- Monday: 9:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
- Friday: 8:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.
PRICE:
- Members: $1149 (includes Hands-On Test)
- Associate Members: $1699 (includes Hands-On Test)
- Non-Members: $2249 (Hands-On Test not available)
Price includes digital participant guide, snacks and lunch Monday – Thursday. Class size is limited to 25.
PREREQUISITES: None
AFFILIATED PROGRAMS: This course satisfies Safety School requirements for the ElectriCities Lineworker Career Development and Apprenticeship (Level II).
NASH COMMUNITY COLLEGE: This course is part of the Nash Community College Electric Line Construction Technology Degree program. Successful completion of the ElectriCities Basic Underground School grants participants credit for Nash’s “Underground Line Construction I” (ELT 211).
CANCELLATION POLICY: If a course is cancelled by ElectriCities, all registrants will be notified with a full registration fee refund. A non-refundable registration fee will be charged for cancellations after the deadline of January 25, 2027.
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BU HOT TEST:
COURSE DESCRIPTION
ElectriCities Apprenticeship Program hands-on test is used to evaluate proficiency for this school. There is one scenario for Basic Underground School hands-on test: URD Personal Protective Grounding 200 amp Elbow.
Jobsite Scenario - URD Personal Protective Grounding 200 amp Elbow
- Student will complete the required steps for de-energizing, testing, and installing proper grounding of one span of URD cable (test after de-energizing) on 200 amp load break elbows
- After grounds are properly installed, student will be expected to clearly tag and identify (on both ends of cable) according to lockout/tagout procedures found in current APPA Safety Manual
- Once properly deenergized, tested, grounded, and tagged student will remove all grounds accordingly (cable is considered energized at this point) and return cable to normal position.
- For time constraints this test is focused specifically on the process of de-energizing, testing, grounding, and tagging a bad cable. It is not focused on work procedures needed to establish an equipotential work zone or isolation method.
- Student shall complete the required steps in compliance with the rules listed in the current APPA Safety manual, OSHA standards, and industry standards.
- A score of 80 must be obtained for a passing grade.
- Student will start his or her test with a score of 100.
- Infraction points received during testing will be deducted from 100
- Minor Infraction = 7 points
- Major Infraction = 11 points
- Critical Infraction = 21 points
INTRUCTIONS:
1. Student must understand the following before proceeding with testing:
- Test Expectations
- Skill Expectations
- Scoring
- Passing Score
- APPA Safety Manual, OSHA Standard, NESC and Industry Standards (to complete this test)
2. Any questions?
3. During Testing...
- A Proctor will observe student’s performance for each of the Skill Expectations and circle each accrued deduction point.
(Note: Proctor will document any other Infractions under the section labeled Other and explain the observed infraction(s) on page 4) - Total Deduction Points: Proctor will add the Deduction Points column and write the amount in the space labeled Total Accrued Deductions Points.
- Final Test Points: Proctor will subtract the Total Deductions Points from the Beginning Points (100) and write that amount in the space labeled Final Test Points and circle Pass or Retake based on Final Test Points (a score of 80+ = Pass and a score below 80 = Retake)
4. Provide Feedback
- Proctor will share results with student at the completion of the test, including any additional Development Recommendations.
5. Result Document Signatures: Proctor and Student must Print, Sign, and Date page 4.
- Student will receive a copy of the final document via email.
6. Return for Files: The original document will be filed with the ElectriCities Education & Training Coordinator.
7. Failed Student: Proctor will contact the student’s Supervisor, if they fail the test, and discuss Development Recommendations.
Only the student being tested, and the proctor (ElectriCities Safety & Training staff member) are allowed in the test area during hands-on testing.
STUDENT REQUIREMENTS - Students are required to bring hand tools and required PPE (hard hat, work gloves, rubber gloves and protectors, ANSI Z87 safety glasses, work boots). Students must either be registered for the particular school or have previously taken the school.
TIMES:
- Thursday: 8:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
PRICE:
- Members: $300 re-testing fee
- Associate Members: $500 re-testing fee
- Not available to Non-Members
CANCELLATION POLICY: If a course is cancelled by ElectriCities, all registrants will be notified with a full registration fee refund. A non-refundable registration fee will be charged for cancellations after the deadline of January 25, 2027.