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There are several types of automatic circuit recloser technologies for the electric utility industry. Each technology incorporates various feature classifications: number of phases, voltage class, medium for interruption, and control mechanism type. Both Oil Circuit Reclosers (OCR) and Electronic Reclosers have been in the industry for quite some time. Each of these recloser types provides a unique benefit to the power grid but also both present certain challenges.  

There are four common pilot protection schemes for line protection used today: (1) Direct Underreaching Transfer Trip, (2) Permissive Overreaching Transfer Trip, (3) Direct Comparison Unblocking, and (4) Direct Comparison Blocking. We will examine the communications channel requirements and channel types used for each of the schemes.

Power lines that are commonly seen in residential areas are not insulated and contain at least 7,000 volts. One should never be in close proximity to a power line that is hanging low or lying on the ground. Even if the line is not sparking the line is still not safe to touch or be near.

In order to better serve our customers, we now provide a quick ship program for our enclosure product line. This is a value-added service provided in an effort to respond to urgent needs. The shipments are processed out of our facilities in Lenoir City, Tennessee and Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

Rising water can damage or weaken existing transmission line and substation utility foundations. In flooded areas, drilled shafts and driven piles need to be inspected to determine if damage has occurred as a result of erosion. Here’s what you need to check:

Technology advancements used by many utilities today makes reporting a power outage almost unnecessary. Smart meters and outage management systems are capable of virtually reporting your power outage for you.

The SureFit™ automatic splice was designed to minimize partial insertion errors, the most common failure with automatic splices. On other splices, partial insertion may occur during installation when the conductor has not completely passed through the jaws, reaching the area of the center stop. 

There’s been a lot of discussion lately around tariffs, but what does this mean for your business?  

The Scenario

Telephone companies will no longer support audio leased lines starting as early as 2015. This presents an issue for utilities currently operating their RFL™ 9745 equipment with an analog communications interface. In some scenarios, full or fractional T1 leased digital data service lines are available for a nominal monthly fee. Utilities are looking for a path forward that minimizes operational impact, requires little engineering, and assures comparable security & dependability for their protection signalling.

Toughened glass bell insulators are easily identified through the application of color bands on the caps, signifying the most common strength class products.