Knowledge about circuit breakers declines at most electrical utilities each year because of people in the industry retiring and because of the extended maintenance intervals of equipment, according to Charles Currin, senior engineering technical support specialist for Progress Energy. That’s why Currin attends the Finepoint Circuit Breaker Test and Maintenance Training Conference each year. He has attended 10 of the 13 past Finepoint conferences and plans to participate again this year.

I attend this conference because it pertains to circuit breakers and it supports my current roles and responsibilities as a component engineer,” Currin said.

His current role is in the Asset Management Department, Component Engineering Unit, serving as the transmission breaker component engineer for the Carolinas and Florida transmission grids for 69 kV and above voltage class equipment. His responsibilities include the development and implementation of maintenance procedures and programs, equipment repair and troubleshooting information, technical guidance and support to field maintenance organizations and other engineering units.

Currin said that this particular conference allows participants to stay in touch with equipment issues and changing technology while collaborating with other utility employees.

“Breaker manufacturers are continuously changing designs and types, and this is a great way to stay in touch with the product changes,” Currin said.

His favorite aspect of the Finepoint conference is that it allows him to interact not only with original equipment manufacturers, but it also allows him to discuss issues with other outside suppliers of equipment parts. “Some OEMs no longer offer parts support for older equipment, but other suppliers have identified these weaknesses and have taken the opportunity to make parts available at competitive prices and in some cases have made the parts out of better and longer lasting materials,” he said.

Another benefit of this conference is the opportunity to discuss circuit breaker issues with other utility colleagues. Currin said this conference is unique because the majority of the attendees are hands-on people who actually perform the field work. “These are the people who actually have to manage or respond to the everyday issues, such as the callouts and the sleepless nights troubleshooting issues, and are held accountable for equipment repair problem resolution.”

All utility companies are facing similar challenges with circuit breaker equipment, and through the daily presentations, interaction with peers and group discussions, participants learn that all utilities are going through the same frustrations, regulations, budget restraints, getting more out of assets, and industry changes.

“However, through interaction with other peers, vendors, and manufacturers you learn that someone else has faced the same hurdles that you face everyday and maybe they have found a way to eliminate some of these hurdles, or a better work practice,” Currin said. “This saves aggravation, time, and money when you don’t have to re-invent the wheel that someone else has already invented, researched and tested.”

Currin said that many of the people he has met at Finepoint’s conference have become friends who are not only resources of information in the industry, but people he can call on in times of need or in times of reward.

He highly recommends this conference to all of his colleagues. Currin said, “This conference is a good tool for enhancing your breaker skills, learning about breaker issues, maintaining your breaker assets, and collaborating with other utility employees. You need to be willing to look and ask for information from other attendees. Interaction with peers is the biggest source of information at any conference. The nightly exhibits sponsored by various vendors offer great opportunities for interaction and conversation as an added benefit.”