Kevin Kucera with RPM Electric

Scott Mackenzie hosts Kevin Kucera on the Industrial Talk Podcast, discussing safety and innovation at the Distribute Tech event in Dallas, Texas. Kucera highlights the importance of grid hardening technology, which protects against fast transients and electromagnetic pulses, operating in six nanoseconds and guaranteed for 1000 events. He shares a personal story about a near-fatal electrical incident, emphasizing the need for safety protocols. The conversation also touches on the significance of proper grounding and the dangers of working with electrical systems, underscoring the importance of professional training and adherence to safety standards.

Action Items

• [ ] Provide information about Kevin's company's product, the ultra-fast surge arrester, to interested parties.

Outline

Distribute Tech Event Overview

• Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast and highlights the importance of industry professionals.
• Scott MacKenzie mentions the sponsor, Siemens, and encourages listeners to visit siemens.com for more information.
• Scott MacKenzie introduces Kevin Kucera , who will discuss safety and his experiences at Distribute Tech.
• Kevin Kucera spells his last name and Scott MacKenzie jokes about the pronunciation.

Event Attendance and Activity

• Kevin Kucera mentions the large attendance at Distribute Tech, with 600 exhibitors and 18,000 attendees.
• Scott MacKenzie expresses surprise at the large number of attendees and describes the event as a "zoo."
• Kevin Kucera describes Distribute Tech as the number one show for utility, with significant interest and innovation.
• Scott MacKenzie and Kevin Kucera discuss the buzz around grid hardening technology and the importance of resilience in medium voltage systems.

Grid Hardening Technology

• Kevin Kucera explains the technology developed by Advanced Fusion Systems to protect against fast transients and electromagnetic pulses.
• The devices operate in six nanoseconds and are guaranteed for 1000 events, with no metal oxide or silicon internally.
• Scott MacKenzie asks for a real-life use case, and Kevin Kucera provides an example of a nuclear event and directed energy weapons.
• The technology protects against catastrophic failures by shunting pulses to the ground quickly.

Installation and Safety Considerations

• Kevin Kucera describes the installation process, which involves using a meter of wire and connecting to the ground.
• The devices can be placed at transformers, rectifiers, or as EMP scouts on the line.
• Scott MacKenzie and Kevin Kucera discuss the importance of proper grounding and the use of bonding poles.
• Kevin Kucera shares his background in the electrical industry and his passion for electricity.

Electrical Safety Incident

• Kevin Kucera shares a personal story about a close call with electrical safety at a dry dock in downtown Seattle.
• He describes the incident where a rod fell and hit a phase, causing a 14-foot fireball.
• Kevin Kucera explains how the breaker tripped instantly, saving him from severe injury.
• The incident highlights the importance of safety and the potential dangers in the electrical industry.

Subsequent Safety Measures

• Kevin Kucera describes the subsequent repairs and safety measures taken after the incident.
• He emphasizes the importance of not taking safety for granted and the need for proper training.
• Scott MacKenzie and Kevin Kucera discuss the challenges of working in the electrical industry and the importance of professionalism.
• Kevin Kucera shares another story about the dangers of hydrogen sulfide in underground vaults and the importance of sniffer tests.

Professionalism and Training

• Scott MacKenzie and Kevin Kucera discuss the need for proper training and professionalism in the electrical industry.
• They highlight the importance of ventilating underground vaults and the dangers of hydrogen sulfide.
• Kevin Kucera shares a tragic story about three electricians who died in a vault due to hydrogen sulfide.
• Scott MacKenzie and Kevin Kucera emphasize the need for proper safety measures and training to prevent accidents.

Climbing and Safety Precautions

• Scott MacKenzie and Kevin Kucera discuss the dangers of climbing poles and the importance of safety precautions.
• They share experiences of climbing poles and the challenges of working at height.
• Scott MacKenzie explains the importance of grounding lines properly to avoid electrical hazards.
• Kevin Kucera emphasizes the need for proper training and safety measures to prevent accidents.

Conclusion and Contact Information

• Scott MacKenzie thanks Kevin Kucera for sharing his experiences and insights.
• Kevin Kucera provides contact information for Advanced Fusion Systems and encourages listeners to visit their website.
• Scott MacKenzie wraps up the podcast, encouraging listeners to attend Distribute Tech and highlighting the importance of safety in the electrical industry.
• The podcast concludes with a reminder of the sponsor, Siemens, and their solutions for smart infrastructure and grid software.