Using Infrared to Proactively Maintain the Distribution System Ben J Carranza

Objectives Proactively address potential equipment failures Positively impact corporate SAIFI goal Develop processes to track: – Survey costs – Repair costs – Avoided SAIFI – Missed opportunities

History One camera Part time effort Full circuit surveys TwoFour Full time effort Equipment surveys Operator training INFR notifications Glower process Request initiatedAnnual schedule

Survey Impacts

Survey Costs Average survey cost per circuit (salary & burden) – $ Average repair cost per critical item – $1, Cost/performance projections (per 0.1 avoided SAIFI) – Repair = $105,000 – Survey = $57,000 – Total = $162,000

Circuit Selection Customer countCircuit loading Outage History (preventable with IR) XX Weighted System (rank ascending) =

Selection Considerations Includes all S/Cs Assigned by % of circuits in system Vegetation management Currently on 5 year survey cycle

Field Survey Process Start at substation Includes all getaways in substation Mid span splices & jumpers in first line section All primary circuit equipment

One Line Diagram

Field Survey Notes

Report Criteria Equipment Criteria: Watch List ºF CTDRecorded & on file Critical>100ºF CTDInspect\Repair ASAP For ‘04 the following criteria was added for equipment problems that are encased or blocked from direct view Indirect>20ºF CTDInspect\Repair ASAP CTD = 200ºF Hot Spot = 300ºFReference = 100ºF SWITCH EXAMPLE

Glower Process Urgent process to communicate, to multiple departments, problems that are at severe risk of failure Targets >500F must be visually inspected with binoculars If target is physically damaged or glowing: Immediately contact Distribution Control (Dispatch) Issue SAP & urgent notifications

Glower Example #1 Bolted Connection on PTS (melting aluminum, hot spot >1200F)

Glower Example #2 Clamp Type Connection on TP (Jumper melted from bracket & hung on hook stick disconnect ring)

Reports Issued for “Critical” primary equipment Includes: Infrared & jpeg images Detail equipment information Visual problems like broken cross-arms and insulators Does not Include: “Watch List” items kept on file; revisited 1 year later

Report Example

SAP Notifications Mainframe application Permanent record Provides link to work order data Consistent & accessible across company

Monthly Progress Report

Pole Fires

Pole Fires (Cont.)

Switch Example #1 Bolted Connection

Switch Example #2 Switch Body

Switch Example #3 Hinge Pin Assembly

Misc. Example #1 Primary Crimp Splice

Misc. Example #2 Cap Oil Switch & Bushing Connector

Misc. Example #3 Neutral Current

Misc. Example #4 Secondary Pedestal, URD

Any Questions???

Distribution System Reliability Ben J. Carranza (713) Brandt Gonzales (Lvl. 1 Certified IR Thermographer) (713) R. Brent Williams (713) Contact Information