1. Using Infrared to Proactively Maintain the Distribution System Ben J Carranza

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

3. History 20002001200220032004 One camera Part time effort Full circuit surveys TwoFour Full time effort Equipment surveys Operator training INFR notifications Glower process Request initiatedAnnual schedule

4. Survey Impacts

5. Survey Costs Average survey cost per circuit (salary & burden) – $475.00 Average repair cost per critical item – $1,100.00 Cost/performance projections (per 0.1 avoided SAIFI) – Repair = $105,000 – Survey = $57,000 – Total = $162,000

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

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

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

9. One Line Diagram

10. Field Survey Notes

11. Report Criteria Equipment Criteria: Watch List75 - 99ºF 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

12. 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 email notifications

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

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

15. 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

16. Report Example

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

18. Monthly Progress Report

19. Pole Fires

20. Pole Fires (Cont.)

21. Switch Example #1 Bolted Connection

22. Switch Example #2 Switch Body

23. Switch Example #3 Hinge Pin Assembly

24. Misc. Example #1 Primary Crimp Splice

25. Misc. Example #2 Cap Oil Switch & Bushing Connector

26. Misc. Example #3 Neutral Current

27. Misc. Example #4 Secondary Pedestal, URD

28. Any Questions???

29. Distribution System Reliability Ben J. Carranza (713) 945-6807 ben.carranza@centerpointenergy.com Brandt Gonzales (Lvl. 1 Certified IR Thermographer) (713) 945-6457 brandt.gonzales@centerpointenergy.com R. Brent Williams (713) 945-6063 richard.b.williams@centerpointenergy.com Contact Information