John Kesting enjoys being a lineman.

After working on the lines for more than 20 years, Kesting still believes there's no job more rewarding for him. In fact, he loves it so much, he's invented equipment to make line crews' jobs a little easier and service to members better. Jackson EMC's own American Inventor will see his product become a reality in the next few months.

"I've always enjoyed tinkering with things to make them easier to use. After years of working with the fuse cutout, I saw the opportunity to help with safety and time in restoring customers' power quickly," says Kesting. Typically located near line transformers, the fuse cutout is designed to protect expensive transformers and other equipment from damage. For example, during storms customers often report they hear the transformer explode when it's usually a fuse barrel. Gas within the fuse barrel is released when there is a charge of electricity.

After a reported outage, line crews arrive on site and inspect the line and equipment. The line worker then determines the amount and type of damage. In some instances, there is no damage to the transformer, but the fuse is out.

Currently, line crews have to find the fuse barrel that's out, sometimes in the dark, and use an extended pole, sometimes from the ground, to place the end within a small ring in order to get the barrel down to replace the fuse. Fuse barrels are often prone to falling or being dropped on line crews working below. "Fuse barrels have to be taken down and replaced. In inclement weather conditions, that can be a tedious task. My invention has reflectors, which make them easier to identify and eliminates the need to hit the small rings," says Kesting. "The EZ Fuse Cutout is now easy to see, put in, open and close."

Kesting worked on this project in his spare time about three years before being contacted by Hemal R. Desai, president/CEO of Newell Porcelain Company (Newell, WV). Desai believed in Kesting's project so much, he invested in it, helping complete the patent process and offering Kesting royalties. "I am very excited because this product is designed with line crews' safety in mind. The ease of use is unprecedented, and the product stands out from anything on the market," says Desai. A porcelain insulator manufacturer, Newell will be the sole distributor of the product once it undergoes its final lab testing.

"John is very bright and has capability and vision from a business standpoint. That's why it was easy for Newell to sign on to promote this product. It will be a premier product in the electric utility industry, made right here in the USA," Desai says.

Kesting is taking his new title of patented inventor in stride and as for plans to retire early and enjoy his royalties, he says, "No way. I'm always a lineman at heart, and I look forward to using my product on the job." Kesting is a lineman in the Gainesville District.