We use a series of techniques which make creative use both of technology and of specially trained staff.
Re-routing supplies
In the past, interruptions to supply on remote power lines could cut off customers for hours while engineers searched for the problem. Now such interruptions to supply can be over in less than three minutes thanks to the growing number of remote control switches – 4600 installed in our area. They enable us to isolate the faulty area and re-route the supply around it, saving valuable time in restoring power.
Lightning strikes
Lightning is one of the main causes of interruptions to supply on overhead power lines and a serious threat to supply. By using new technology, including trigger spark gaps and auto-reclosers, we can protect our equipment from severe damage during a storm and swiftly restore power supplies to customers.
Protecting overhead lines
We are protecting overhead lines by a special device, known as an arc suppression coil, which can dramatically reduce the current. They re-tune themselves automatically and, for most interruptions to supply, customers don’t even see a momentary dip in the lights.
Underground lines
Two-thirds of our network is underground. Faults can be harder to trace here than on overhead lines because the supply system is out of sight. We are using a new device to help us trace intermittent low voltage interruptions to supply on underground cables faster. This quickly pinpoints the location of the problem, saving the trouble and cost of digging up the roads. It identifies the troublespot, and returns customers to a more reliable supply quicker.
Mobilising help
We’ve equipped all our restoration field staff with laptops, loaded with all the network data, which means they can know where each cable is and what it does, as soon as they arrive on site. This is giving us a valuable improvement in both safety and speed.
A new system called Fonetrack is also helping us to save vital minutes by using mobile phone technology to show which engineer is nearest to any particular incident, so that we can target the right staff rapidly.
"Hot glove" techniques
Special teams of linesmen in both Northern Powergrid (Northeast) and Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) have been trained in "hot glove" techniques. Amazingly, this enables them to work safely on overhead power lines up to 11,000 volts without needing to switch off the supply.
Before any work begins, each member of the team goes through rigorous procedures, from donning protective workgear – including special gloves – to applying protective shrouds to overhead lines.