Customer
AEP
Location
West Virginia
Highlights
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Catastrophic Line Failure Prevented by Early Detection -
Effective Isolation and Coordination Preserved Safety -
Infrastructure Awareness Elevated During Routine Tasks
Frayed and Failing: How a Ride-Out Discovery Prevented a Three-Phase Line Incident
The Challenge
While conducting a routine ride-out at a new job site, a field technician discovered a critical hazard: the primary conductor on a three-phase pole was nearly broken. The damage was severe enough to risk full failure of the span—potentially causing an energized line to fall, creating significant danger to crews, the public, and infrastructure.
The likely cause was attributed to aged copper wire, which is prone to fraying and unraveling over time. There was also speculation that an external object—possibly vegetation or debris—may have impacted the line within the right-of-way, accelerating the wear.
The Solution
- Hazard Confirmation & Documentation The technician confirmed the damage and pinpointed the exact span in question for further action.
- Crew Coordination & Hazard Isolation Returned to coordinate with the line crews on-site, instructing them to stay clear of the damaged span.
- Utility Notification Distribution was contacted immediately to schedule repairs and restore line integrity before any additional work proceeded.
Key Benefits
- Prevented Line Failure: Early detection averted what could have been a dangerous and costly conductor break.
- Protected Crew Safety: Immediate isolation of the hazard kept workers safe and prevented accidental exposure.
- Highlighted Aging Infrastructure Risks: Reinforced the need to prioritize inspections of older copper lines in project planning.
- Demonstrated Field Vigilance: Showcased the value of sharp observation and proactive communication during pre-task activities.
The Results
- The compromised line was addressed by distribution before any further work resumed.
- No injuries or incidents occurred, and the hazard was mitigated swiftly.
- The event is now used internally to promote the importance of infrastructure condition awareness during ride-outs.
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