China’s Linemen’s Rodeo Features Demonstration by Altec Training Specialist

The China Electricity Council (CEC) hosted the 2019 Linemen’s Rodeo for the National Electric Power Industry from November 18 – 22, 2019, in Huzhou, China. The vocational skills competition for distribution line workers (10 kV line live operation) hosted representatives from 26 provincial power companies in China.

In addition to the competition portion of the event, the CEC invited professionals from the United States and Russia to perform live line work demonstrations. These demonstrations allowed Chinese linemen to learn new work practices as Chinese power companies continue to focus on safety and work efficiency.

Representing the United States was Mike Gilley, Altec Sentry Training Specialist. Using an Altec AT37GW, he performed a fuse changeout using the cutout method. This demonstration taught linemen how to isolate an energized line to replace a fuse safely. The representatives from Russia also used the Altec AT37GW, demonstrating how to replace an insulator on a live line.

Mike Gilley has 26 years of live line work experience, working his way up the ranks from a lineman to a field supervisor to Safety Director. Gilley worked for Duke Energy and Davis H. Elliot before joining Altec’s safety and training team two years ago. Gilley is on the advisory board of Southeast Lineman Training Center who partners with China State Grid Technical College, the largest utility company in the world.

“From the linemen that competed in the rodeo to the executives at the power companies, everyone was interested in learning about new work practices and the safety benefits they could bring to China,” says Gilley. “Seeing that commitment to safety at all levels of each organization was the most powerful moment of my visit to the CEC Linemen’s Rodeo.”

Altec was the first American company to introduce comprehensive mechanized live line work concepts, methods, and equipment into China. As a leader in the design and manufacture of insulated equipment for the utility industry, Altec is committed to supporting China as they develop their standard live line work practices.

For more information on Altec products and services outside of the US, call 800-958-2555 or contact an Altec representative online.