Enhancing Safety and Reliability with Interphase Spacers: ATCO Electric's Winter Preparedness Initiative
As extreme winter weather and other climate-related hazards continue to escalate, we remain committed to keeping our customers safe and our infrastructure secure.
As extreme winter weather and other climate-related hazards continue to escalate, we remain committed to keeping our customers safe and our infrastructure secure. Our Climate Adaptation and Reliability team is installing interphase spacers on powerlines in high-risk areas prone to ice and snow accumulations and on powerlines with a history of reliability issues related to snow, ice, and wind. The interphase spacers keep vertically spaced powerlines separated in various weather conditions, including ice and snow buildup and extreme winds.
This initiative is a vital part of our promise to enhance safety, reliability, and build community resilience in response to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
What are interphase spacers?
Interphase spacers maintain a safe distance and control excessive motion between vertically spaced powerlines. They are designed to minimize the movement of powerlines caused by ice and snow loading or extreme wind events. Interphase spacers protect powerlines and infrastructure by reducing the risk of a live powerline contacting other powerlines or nearby electrical conductors, which could result in service disruptions and dangerous electrical discharge. Interphase spacers also help mitigate the risk of outages and provide a layer of safety to the electrical system.
What benefits do interphase spacers provide?
Interphase spacers can provide the following reliability benefits:
- Mitigating ice-related hazards: Ice accumulations can lead to the sudden movement of conductors between vertically spaced powerlines, increasing the risk of electrical discharges. Interphase spacers are necessary to maintain safe distances between powerlines during movements caused by ice shedding.
- Countering powerline movement: Wind and ice can cause powerlines to sway and rotate. Interphase spacers help stabilize powerlines, particularly in configurations more susceptible to the impacts of ice and wind.
- Reducing galloping: Interphase spacers significantly reduce powerline oscillations (galloping) caused by wind or ice shedding. By maintaining critical powerline distances, they prevent flashovers and withstand ice and snow loads.
By proactively mitigating extreme weather risks, we enhance the reliability of your electricity supply and ensure:
- Enhanced safety: This program prioritizes safety for you, your neighbours, and our crews. Safe and stable power infrastructure enables a safer, more secure environment.
- Reliability: Upgraded components in our power grid enhance electricity supply reliability and reduce service disruptions.
- Community resilience: This program aims to protect our communities most vulnerable to extreme weather and aligns with our climate adaptation efforts.
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