All Images Courtesy – Jim McDonald | Live Line Training at Powerline Training Consultants
Jim has worked in the overhead line trade for over 40 years and has been conducting live line training through his own business (Powerline Training Consultants)Â for over 20 years.
PTC specialise in live line transmission work and barehand work methods and procedures. During the past several years PTC have developed and introduced several companies to a specialised barehand work method –Â rope access.
To date PTC have exposed BPA, SRP, SDG&E, National Grid, Tri State, ITC, KAMO Power and SCE to this innovative work method. Jim has also authored several technical procedural manuals on barehand and live line tool work as well as rigging principles and procedures for the line trade.
âž¡ See our range of Overhead Line Equipment
500kV Barehand Overhead Line Work
500kV Barehand “V” String Rope Access
500kV Dead End Insulator Change
500kV Barehand Insulator Change SRP
500kV Dead End Insulator Change Barehand Method
500kV Energized Barehand Rope Access “I” String & Rappelling From Conductor
Subscribe now to our POWER NEWSLETTER– a monthly email circulation packed with news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars, career opportunities and white papers.
Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.
15,000+ Subscribers. ➡ 
Pictured:Â 145kV Pfisterer Cable Joint
Image Courtesy of: CB Jointing
Installed by: Chris Barker (EHV Cable Jointer and Owner at CB Jointing)
T&D are Main Distributors & Stockists for the Pfisterer range of Medium Voltage Power Products including Connex Plugs, Cable Jointing Tools, Sicon Connectors, Surge Arresters and Electrical Safety Equipment.
Subscribe now to our POWER NEWSLETTER– a monthly email circulation packed with news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars, career opportunities and white papers.
Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.
15,000+ Subscribers. âž¡
Pictured: 110kV Prysmian Plug-In Cable Termination For SF6 Gas Insulated Switchgear
Image courtesy of: Andrew Brezovszky (EHV Cable Jointer & Director at Matrix Power Solution Pty Ltd)
Thorne & Derrick are distributors for Prysmian Cable Components which includes their range of Bicon cable joints, cable cleats, cable glands and jointer tooling for LV, MV and HV cables.
Some Comments via LinkedIn
Ahmed Gouda : Great job! But if i may ask, why you did not install the insulator first inside the GIS housing?
Andrew Brezovszky : Hi Ahmed, not sure about your question … As far as I’m aware, there isn’t another method for these GIS cable terminations. When we are actually plugging them in, we install the shield and connectors and that’s how they are being raised into the chamber.
Chris Barker : Ahmed in answer to your question. Certain manufacturers have the insulator installed first then the cable termination is made and plugged into the insulator. Others you complete the termination and then plug into the switchgear.
Ahmed Gouda : Yes, normally in the plug in type, the insulator is mounted first in the cable housing then the cable with the stress cone is plugged in. Otherwise if its a wet type termination ( insulator is filled with oil).
Chris Barker : Some company’s have a dry type which they still mount the insulator on the cable then into the switchgear.
Prysmian HV Cable Accessories – Overview
Subscribe now to our POWER NEWSLETTER– a monthly email circulation packed with news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars, career opportunities and white papers.
Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.
15,000+ Subscribers. âž¡
Image courtesy of: Johnny Chan – Marketing Executive at Yangzhou Power Electric Co. Ltd
Pictured:Â 800kV Water Termination System For 500kV XLPE Cable Testing
Subscribe now to our POWER NEWSLETTER– a monthly email circulation packed with news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars, career opportunities and white papers.
Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.
15,000+ Subscribers. âž¡
Image courtesy of: Darren Street – Cable Jointer at D+R Jointing Services Ltd
Pictured: Pfisterer Connex Cable Plugs Terminating XLPE Cable Into 11kV/33kV Transformer – the Connex cable terminations are shown connecting 33kV single core 500sqmm cables into a 33kV to 11kV transformer.
T&D are Main Distributors & Stockists for the Pfisterer range of Medium Voltage Power Products including Connex Plugs, Cable Jointing Tools, Sicon Connectors, Surge Arresters, SEANEX and Electrical Safety Equipment.
Subscribe now to our POWER NEWSLETTER– a monthly email circulation packed with news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars, career opportunities and white papers.
Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.
15,000+ Subscribers. âž¡
Published 02 Sep 2026
Celebrating Charlie & Ella’s Level 4 Sales Executive Apprenticeships At Thorne & Derrick International, we are proud to champion talent development and recognise the dedication required to achieve professional growth. We are therefore delighted to congratulate Charlie Baines and...
Published 11 Aug 2026
Thorne & Derrick will be Exhibiting at Solar & Storage Live UK 2026 at the NEC Birmingham from 22nd–24th September, showcasing our support for HV Cable Accessories, Joints, Terminations, Separable Connectors, Cable Tooling and Grid Connection Products used across...
