When it comes to moving a 245,000-volt circuit breaker, Storeroom Materialman Derek Largin longed for a better way, and came up with one. And better it is, as several manufacturers have embraced his new concept.

Breaker Breaker from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Alabama Power employee and Storeroom Materialman Derek Largin and his breaker.

“This is something that could revolutionize the entire industry,” said Engineer Neil Hutchins.

Largin’s idea of using forklifts bypasses the conventional method of overhead cranes to move these gargantuan breakers weighing 5 tons and costing $80,000 to $100,000.

Largin’s method uses bolts on tubular slots of the breaker, allowing the fork of the lift to slide through, providing stability, reducing slippage and making it a one-man job, which slashes in half the time needed to move a breaker.

The idea sparked in Largin’s mind three years ago when he noticed an increase in usage of these breakers. His idea failed to get traction until he teamed with Hutchins in May 2014.  It took a year for them to to reach a legal agreement with one of the main manufacturers of the 245-kV breakers.

Largin demonstrated the process for manufacturers to see with their own eyes how much better it works with steel tubes. He performed a move using the traditional method, which lasted 10 minutes. He then showcased his method, which took only three minutes.

As a result, three companies – Siemens, Mitsubishi and Hitachi – have agreed to manufacture their breakers to be compatible with the new forklift option.

“When it comes to operating a forklift, he’s the most talented in the company,” Hutchins said. “Derek has zero drops or damages.”

Despite Largin’s expertise, he and Hutchins are confident a successful move can be accomplished using the new method by anyone in the field with forklift experience, in any weather conditions.

“I’m just glad someone finally took the time to look at it for changes to be made,” Largin said. “Before, it was an accident waiting to happen. The new design stabilizes these units enough to ensure the safety of the crew and the equipment.”

Hutchins predicts the impact of Largin’s idea will spread beyond the General Services Complex where it originated.

“This could inspire reinvention in many departments” throughout Alabama Power, he said.