NORFOLK, Neb. – The latest innovations in technology, equipment and safety were on display Wednesday during the opening of the 2024 Power & Equipment Show at the Chuck Pohlman Ag Complex on the Northeast Community College campus.
More than 500 individuals came primarily from Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota, with a total of 22 states represented. Manufacturers and salespeople filled the ag complex, with some additional manufacturing companies with large equipment displayed outdoors on one of the parking lots.
This year’s show is believed to be the largest it has been since Northeast began hosting it in 1986. The show featured 434 preregistered individuals and guests, with an estimated 100 additional individuals attending.
The location for the first show was in the Cox Activities Center and parking lot. It has continued to grow and evolve.
Larry Oetken, Northeast Community College Job Training & Safety instructor, said there have been significant improvements in the industry over the years.
“The technology is changing constantly,” Oetken said.
One of the improvements, for example, comes from Fast Forward, which takes pictures of such things as utility lines and poles, using everything from drones to people to take the photos. It often includes 360-degree views.
During storms, the photos help to document what damage took place or to assist crews headed to a site.
Oetken said many Northeast utility line students are involved in internships this summer, so they don’t necessarily attend unless they are attending with the power companies. Proceeds from the show are used for scholarships for the utility line program.
Scot Ouderkirk, the associate director of the Job Training & Safety program, said the utility line industry continues to make safety advances. Even tools like rubber gloves are thinner, lighter weight but still have the same safety features to protect the user from high voltage.
“They are more comfortable and make it easier for linemen to grip,” Ouderkirk said.
Digging holes for poles has improved greatly. Fault indicators on power lines make it easier to spot problems and improve safety for linemen. Breakers can be opened or closed remotely. Readings at substations can be taken from an office, which can help to avoid spikes in usage such as when many irrigation pumps are running.
Ouderkirk, who also is a trainer, said the show provides an opportunity for power districts to view the latest utility line tools and equipment up close. There also are training sessions.
Power Show
Both the inside of the Chuck Pohlman Ag Complex and part of a parking lot were filled as vendors exhibited the latest and greatest tools and equipment in the utility line and power industry at the 2024 Power & Equipment Show. The two-day show took place on Wednesday, July 24, and Thursday, July 25, at Northeast. (Northeast Community College)
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