Atlantic City Electric Using Helicopters to Inspect Local Power Lines

During the summer months, Atlantic City Electric will inspect more than 1,100 miles of transmission lines by helicopter in South Jersey, the company recently announced.  The flight inspections will occur in portions of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean and Salem counties.

The aerial inspections are part of the company’s ongoing commitment to deliver safe and reliable energy for its customers. Atlantic City Electric’s aerial inspections are part of the preventive maintenance work the company performs throughout the year to proactively review its system and address potential problems before they occur.

“Through these proactive inspections, we are able to better identify potential issues related to our transmission lines which are the backbone of our energy grid,” said Gary Stockbridge, Atlantic City Electric region president. “The aerial helicopter inspections are helping to enhance reliability, safety and efficiency across our energy system.”

The helicopters conducting the aerial inspections will be flying low to complete comprehensive visual inspections of transmission lines and guy wire grounding, which is used to support utility poles and protect against potential issues. Following the inspections, Atlantic City Electric will make any necessary repairs and replacements so the power lines can continue to safely serve customers.

UAS/Drones

Atlantic City Electric has also been studying new opportunities to enhance the way it inspects the local energy grid to maintain reliable service for customers. The rapid growth of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), more commonly known as drones, presents a host of opportunities to incorporate this advanced technology into daily operations. Atlantic City Electric will continue to use this innovative approach to assess the condition of the energy grid, in conjunction with traditional physical human inspections from the ground or by helicopter.

In addition to the aerial inspections, Atlantic City Electric follows a targeted annual plan to further enhance overall system reliability and safety for customers. This plan includes inspecting existing infrastructure, installing new, more modern equipment, and installing stronger, tree-resistant aerial cable, and trimming trees, which cause about 40 percent of power outages for customers each year. The company also uses innovative technologies to improve system reliability, such as specialized equipment that can automatically restore service more quickly or isolate damage. This work is essential in helping prevent those outages that can be prevented.

Atlantic City Electric customers are benefitting from the enhancements that are being made to the local energy grid. Over the past five years, the company has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in South Jersey modernizing the energy grid. As a result, the number of electric outages has decreased by more than 40 percent and outage length has been reduced by 18 percent. In 2017, customers experienced the lowest average number of electric outages in the company’s history, as well as the fastest restoration times ever.

To learn more, visit The Source, Atlantic City Electric’s online news room.

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