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BRECKSVILLE, Ohio, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — With the cold-weather months expected to produce higher electric usage, The Illuminating Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is completing inspections and equipment maintenance expected to enhance service reliability for customers who rely on power to stay warm, safe and comfortable.  

“Completing inspections and equipment maintenance now can help enhance system resiliency to keep power flowing to customers when severe winter weather strikes,” said Mark Jones, regional president of The Illuminating Company. “Many customers are spending more time at home during the current pandemic, and our goal is to deliver the safe and reliable power they rely on.” 

Helicopter patrols have completed inspections on nearly 2,500 miles of FirstEnergy transmission lines located across The Illuminating Company’s service territory this year. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators and other hardware problems not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspections can be addressed.  

Tree trimming throughout the year also helps meet the rigors of winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related outages caused by the weight of ice and heavy, wet snow on branches. The Illuminating Company’s tree contractors have completed trimming work along 1,600 circuit miles of electric lines to date this year, and they are on track to complete an additional 300 miles of tree trimming by the end of December.

On the ground, proactive equipment inspections include using “thermovision” cameras to capture infrared images of electrical equipment that can detect potential problems within substations and on power lines that cannot be observed during regular visual inspections. The infrared technology shows heat on a color scale, with brighter colors or “hot spots” indicating areas that could need repairs. These images can identify equipment issues such as loose connections, corrosion and load imbalances, and utility workers are able to make repairs to prevent potential power outages in the future. 

Other utility work being done by The Illuminating Company personnel includes inspecting distribution circuits, such as transformers, capacitors, reclosers and lightning arrestors to ensure the equipment is operational and the lines are ready to perform efficiently when demand for electricity increases during the winter, typically due to heating. 

Company bucket trucks and other vehicles also are being inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air braking systems, which can freeze up if moisture is present. Snow removal equipment is also being checked.  

The Illuminating Company’s employees also participated in virtual readiness exercises and drills throughout the year to test the company’s restoration process used to repair winter storm-related power outages. Storm drills are becoming more common in the utility industry in the wake of severe weather over the last several years. 

The Illuminating Company serves more than 750,000 customers across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. Follow The Illuminating Company on Twitter @IlluminatingCo and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IlluminatingCo.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company’s transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp. 

Editor’s Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for The Illuminating Company’s customers are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company’s YouTube channel. 

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-illuminating-company-completes-inspections-and-maintenance-to-help-enhance-customer-service-reliability-through-winter-season-301172207.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — With the cold-weather months expected to produce higher electric usage, Ohio Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is completing inspections and equipment maintenance expected to enhance service reliability for customers who rely on power to stay warm, safe and comfortable. 

“We proactively inspect and maintain our equipment to help ensure system reliability to meet the increased electrical demand when the temperatures drop,” said Ed Shuttleworth, regional president of Ohio Edison and Penn Power. “We anticipate many customers will continue to spend more time at home, including working and learning remotely during the winter, and our goal is to deliver the safe and reliable power they rely on.”

Helicopter patrols have completed inspections on nearly 10,000 miles of FirstEnergy transmission lines located across Ohio Edison’s service territory this year. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators and other hardware problems not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspections can be addressed.

Tree trimming throughout the year also helps meet the rigors of winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related outages caused by the weight of ice and heavy, wet snow on branches. Ohio Edison’s tree contractors are on track to complete tree trimming along nearly 5,000 circuit miles of electric lines in 2020.

On the ground, proactive equipment inspections include using “thermovision” cameras to capture infrared images of electrical equipment that can detect potential problems within substations and on power lines that cannot be observed during regular visual inspections. The infrared technology shows heat on a color scale, with brighter colors or “hot spots” indicating areas that could need repairs. These images can identify equipment issues such as loose connections, corrosion and load imbalances, and utility workers are able to make repairs to prevent potential power outages in the future.

Other utility work being done by Ohio Edison personnel includes inspecting distribution circuits, such as transformers, capacitors, reclosers and lightning arrestors to ensure the equipment is operational and the lines are ready to perform efficiently when demand for electricity increases during the winter, typically due to heating.

Company bucket trucks and other vehicles also are being inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air braking systems, which can freeze up if moisture is present. Snow removal equipment is also being checked. 

Ohio Edison employees also participated in virtual readiness exercises and drills throughout the year to test the company’s restoration process used to repair winter storm-related power outages. Storm drills are becoming more common in the utility industry in the wake of severe weather over the last several years.

Ohio Edison serves more than one million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on Twitter @OhioEdison, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioEdison, and online at www.ohioedison.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company’s transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor’s Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for Ohio Edison customers are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company’s YouTube channel.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ohio-edison-completes-inspections-and-maintenance-to-help-enhance-customer-service-reliability-through-winter-season-301172208.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

GREENSBURG, Pa., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — With winter just around the corner, West Penn Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is inspecting and completing maintenance on weather-sensitive equipment to help enhance system resiliency and service reliability for customers in its 24-county western and central Pennsylvania service territory.

Winter’s frigid temperatures can increase demand for electricity, and heavy snow, wind and ice have the potential to cause damage to poles, wires and substations, requiring crews to make repairs in difficult conditions. Completing inspections and maintenance of equipment before the snow falls can help keep power flowing to customers.

“Our preparations do not end with inspecting electrical infrastructure and preparing our vehicles for winter operations,” said John Rea, West Penn Power regional president. “Employee and public safety are our top priority. Ours is an unforgiving business, so we review cold-weather procedures and time-proven safety measures with our line workers and other field employees to help ensure not only their safety, but that of our customers during winter.”

Fall work includes inspecting heaters for substation components such as capacitor banks, circuit breakers and gas- and oil-filled transformers. Certain larger substations have buildings that house electrical equipment that is winterized and inspected to ensure their heating systems are ready for the season. 

Meanwhile, substation electricians diligently inspect batteries used to power relays that sense faults on the network and motors that automatically operate switches to isolate those problems, helping to prevent service interruptions or limit their size and scope. Crews use thermal-imaging cameras to detect hot spots invisible to the naked eye on equipment that could malfunction as customers crank up their heaters to combat the cold.

Our mechanics inspect bucket trucks – the trusted workhorses of our fleet – to ensure they are safe to operate and ready to roll on snow-covered roads and freezing temperatures. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air brakes, which can freeze up if moisture is present. Snow removal equipment is checked as well, to ensure that a simple detail like ensuring access to substations, clear work areas and sidewalks at our service centers and other facilities is not overlooked.

Helicopter patrols also are completing inspections on approximately 1,700 miles of FirstEnergy transmission lines located in the West Penn Power area. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators, and other hardware problems invisible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspection can then be addressed.

Tree trimming throughout the year also helps meet the rigors of winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related outages. West Penn Power tree contractors have trimmed about 4,000 circuit miles of electric lines this year and are on track to complete nearly 4,600 total miles of trimming by the end of 2020.

In addition to preparing equipment and vehicles for winter, managers review cold-weather safety procedures with field employees, including how to traverse slippery conditions to avoid slips and falls. They are also reminded to hydrate and take frequent breaks in warm trucks to avoid frostbite and maintain sharp mental focus. Particular emphasis is placed on safe winter driving to ensure crews arrive safely to the work site. 

West Penn Power serves approximately 725,000 customers in 24 counties within central and southwestern Pennsylvania. Follow West Penn Power on Twitter @W_Penn_Power and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WestPennPower.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company’s transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor’s Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for West Penn Power customers are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company’s YouTube channel.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/west-penn-power-completes-inspections-and-maintenance-prior-to-winter-weather-301172204.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAIRMONT, W.Va., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — To help keep power flowing to customers during the cold winter season, Mon Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is preparing for winter in its West Virginia service area by conducting inspections and maintenance to help enhance system reliability.

Snow, ice and wind have the potential to damage equipment such as poles, wires and substations during the winter season, when demand for electricity is typically high. Mon Power is working to complete inspections and maintenance now to help preempt difficult repairs in harsh conditions and to keep power flowing to its customers in the months ahead.

“By actively preparing our power infrastructure and our fleet vehicles for potentially challenging winter weather, we will be better positioned to serve our customers and to ensure employee safety as the temperature drops,” said Jim Myers, president of West Virginia operations for Mon Power.

Mon Power is inspecting substation components such as capacitor banks, transformers and oil- and gas-filled circuit breakers. Substation control buildings that house protective relays and remote monitoring and control equipment will be winterized and have their heating systems checked.

Substation electricians inspect batteries used to power relays and motors that sense faults on the network and operate switches to isolate those problems, helping to prevent or reduce service interruptions. Electricians view critical components through special thermal-imaging cameras to detect hot spots on equipment that could malfunction as customers crank up their heaters to combat the cold.

Company bucket trucks and other vehicles are also being inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air braking systems, which can freeze up if moisture is present. In addition, snow removal equipment is being checked.

Helicopter patrols have been inspecting approximately 2,100 miles of transmission lines located in the Mon Power service area. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators and other hardware problems not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspection can then be addressed.

Tree trimming throughout the year also helps meet the rigors of winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related outages. Mon Power tree contractors have completed trimming along 4,600 circuit miles of electric lines and along nearly 400 miles of transmission lines this year.

Mon Power serves about 385,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power at www.mon-power.com, on Twitter @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MonPowerWV.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company’s transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor’s Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for Mon Power customers are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company’s YouTube channel.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mon-power-prepares-for-winter-weather-301172201.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is preparing for the winter season by conducting inspections and equipment maintenance on weather-sensitive equipment across its service area. These efforts are expected to enhance system resiliency and service reliability for customers throughout JCP&L’s service footprint.

Winter’s cold temperatures can increase demand for electricity, and heavy snow and wind have the potential to cause damage to poles, wires and substations, requiring crews to make repairs in difficult conditions. Completing inspections and equipment maintenance now can help enhance system resiliency to keep power flowing to customers when the snow begins to fall.

“Our winter maintenance protocols help ensure that our system will be ready to perform once the cold weather returns and inclement weather conditions follow,” said Alex Patton, vice president of Operations, JCP&L. “These proactive measures in advance of any severe weather conditions help keep the lights on for our customers and enhance overall service reliability.”

The work includes inspecting heating equipment for substation components, such as capacitor banks, transformers and oil and gas-filled circuit breakers. Substation buildings that house remote-controlled relay equipment will be winterized and the heating systems will be checked.

Substation electricians also inspect batteries used to power relays that sense faults on the network and motors that automatically operate switches to isolate problems, helping to prevent or reduce service interruptions.

Company bucket trucks and other vehicles also are being inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air braking systems, which can freeze up if moisture is present. In addition, snow removal equipment is being checked.  

Helicopter patrols have been inspecting transmission lines located in the JCP&L service area to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators and other hardware problems not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspection can then be addressed. 

JCP&L’s tree contractors have completed trimming work along 2,950 circuit miles of electric lines to date this year, and they are on track to complete an additional 450 miles of tree trimming by the end of December.

In addition to preparing equipment and vehicles for winter, managers review cold-weather safety procedures with field employees, including how to traverse slippery conditions to avoid slips and falls. They are also reminded to hydrate and take frequent breaks in warm trucks to avoid frostbite and maintain sharp mental focus. Particular emphasis is placed on safe winter driving to ensure crews arrive safely to the work site. Employees are also taking extra precautions to work safely throughout the coronavirus health emergency, including social distancing, alternating shifts and splitting into smaller work groups.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.  Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York.  The company’s transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.

Editor’s note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for JCP&L customers are available for download on Flickr.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jcpl-conducting-inspections-and-maintenance-prior-to-winter-season-301172197.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

WILLIAMSPORT, Md., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — To help keep power flowing to customers in the cold winter months, Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is preparing for winter in its Maryland and West Virginia service areas by conducting inspections and maintenance to help enhance system reliability.

Snow, ice and wind have the potential to damage equipment such as poles, wires and substations during the winter season, when demand for electricity is typically high. Potomac Edison is working to complete inspections and maintenance now to help preempt difficult repairs in harsh conditions and to keep power flowing to its customers in the months ahead.

“By actively preparing our power infrastructure and our fleet vehicles for potentially challenging winter weather, we will be better positioned to serve our customers and to ensure employee safety as the temperature drops,” said James A. Sears, Jr., vice president of Potomac Edison.

Potomac Edison is inspecting substation components such as capacitor banks, transformers and oil- and gas-filled circuit breakers. Substation control buildings that house protective relays and remote monitoring and control equipment will be winterized and have their heating systems checked.

Substation electricians inspect batteries used to power relays and motors that sense faults on the network and operate switches to isolate those problems, helping to prevent or reduce service interruptions. Electricians view critical components through special thermal-imaging cameras to detect hot spots on equipment that could malfunction as customers crank up their heaters to combat the cold.

Company bucket trucks and other vehicles are also being inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air braking systems, which can freeze up if moisture is present. In addition, snow removal equipment is being checked, and Potomac Edison will place salt containers and snow shovels at each of its service centers for employee safety and operational continuity.

Since mid-October, helicopter patrols have been inspecting approximately 1,400 miles of transmission lines located in the Potomac Edison service area. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators and other hardware problems not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspection can then be addressed.

Tree trimming throughout the year also helps meet the rigors of winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related outages. Potomac Edison tree contractors expect to complete trimming along more than 2,600 circuit miles of electric lines in 2020.

Potomac Edison serves about 270,000 customers in seven Maryland counties and 137,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company’s transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor’s Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to enhance service reliability for Potomac Edison customers are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company’s YouTube channel.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/potomac-edison-prepares-for-winter-weather-301172203.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — To help keep the power flowing to customers through the cold winter months, Toledo Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is completing inspections and conducting equipment maintenance on weather-sensitive equipment across its service area. 

Winter’s cold temperatures can produce increased demand for electricity, and heavy snow and wind have the potential to cause damage to poles, wires and substations, requiring crews to make repairs in difficult conditions. Completing inspections and maintenance of equipment now can help to enhance system reliability when the snow begins to fly.

“Winter maintenance procedures for our infrastructure, combined with fleet maintenance designed to prepare our vehicles for winter operations, make a difference when the weather turns cold,” said Rich Sweeney, regional president of Toledo Edison. “The steps we take now in advance of potential severe weather conditions help to enhance the service we provide to our customers.”

The work includes inspecting heating equipment for substation components, such as capacitor banks, transformers, and oil- and gas-filled circuit breakers. Some substations also include buildings that house protective relays, batteries and various control equipment. These structures will be winterized and have the heating systems checked.

Substation electricians inspect batteries used to power substation controls and protective relays that sense faults on the network and automatically operate circuit breakers to isolate those problems, helping to prevent damage to power lines and other power distribution equipment. Crews use special thermal-imaging cameras to detect hot spots invisible to the naked eye on equipment prone to overheating and malfunctioning as customers crank up their heaters to combat the cold.

Company bucket trucks and other vehicles are being inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season. Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and any air braking systems, which can freeze up if moisture is present. In addition, snow removal equipment is being checked. Plows are used to help crews gain access to substations, and to clear the work areas and sidewalks at company service garages and other facilities.

Helicopter patrols are completing inspections on FirstEnergy transmission lines located in the Toledo Edison area. The inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross arms, failed insulators, and other hardware problems not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspection can be addressed.  

In addition, tree trimming throughout the year helps meet the rigors of winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related outages. Toledo Edison has already completed trimming along more than 2,000 miles of lines in 2020, with work along approximately 75 more miles to be completed by the end of the year.

Employee safety remains a priority during the pandemic, and cold weather can impact the health and safety of our workers. Toledo Edison’s cold-weather operational procedures are reviewed with linemen, substation electricians, metermen and meter readers in advance of any frigid conditions. Toledo Edison personnel often take extra measures to stay warm when working in extreme cold to restore power after an outage. Driving safety is reviewed with the crews as winter often brings treacherous driving conditions. 

FirstEnergy’s utilities also have made it easier for customers to check the progress of service restoration efforts when they experience a power outage. The company’s 24/7 Power Center outage maps now display the status of crews restoring service after a power outage. With this enhancement, FirstEnergy utility customers can see when crews have been dispatched, when they are working on a repair, and when additional crews or equipment are needed to complete restoration work. This information is also provided through the companies’ web-based outage information and text messaging and alert services.

Toledo Edison serves more than 300,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on Twitter @ToledoEdisonor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToledoEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company’s transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor’s Note:  Photos of FirstEnergy’s utilities’ winter inspection and maintenance programs are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the company’s YouTube channel.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/toledo-edison-completes-inspections-and-maintenance-prior-to-winter-weather-301172198.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

NEW CASTLE, Pa., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — As winter approaches, the Pennsylvania Power Company (Penn Power), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is wrapping up the installation of new interior fencing in three substations to help deter climbing animals that often seek food, shelter and warmth during the cold-weather months, as well as protect against electrical equipment interference that can cause power outages.

This work builds upon the company’s previous system upgrades that have eliminated animal-related power outages in two Mercer County substations where the fence applications were installed last year. The fencing – installed inside of a substation around the perimeter of the equipment – keeps the animals out of harm’s way and the electricity safely flowing to customers.

“Climbing animals present a threat to substation operation and electric service reliability,” said Ed Shuttleworth, regional president of Penn Power and Ohio Edison. “We are pleased to have experienced tremendous success with the interior fencing we installed last year, and we anticipate similar results with the new applications to help keep the power flowing safely and reliably to our customers this winter.”

The work is part of Penn Power’s second phase Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP II), approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to help enhance electric service for customers. Installation of the fencing was completed at a Mercer County substation in September and a Butler County substation in November. The remaining application will be installed at a Lawrence County substation by the end of this year.

Unlike other types of animal traps and deterrents, this special fencing completely prevents climbing animals from accessing the substation equipment and discourages them from trying again. Many climbing animals, like squirrels, have a highly developed memory that enables them to remember locations for food, warmth and shelter. With one brief contact with a fence panel, animals learn that a substation is not a welcoming location to visit and typically avoid protected substations in the future.

“A single substation outage can cost thousands of dollars in equipment damage and hundreds of man hours to repair as well as cause extended outages for customers served by that circuit,” said Shuttleworth. “The special fencing was an economical solution to prevent these types of service disruptions in the future.”

To determine the best locations for the interior substation fencing, utility personnel reviewed outage patterns across Penn Power’s service area and identified substations in Mercer, Cranberry and New Castle that had experienced animal-related equipment damage that caused lengthy power outages. These substations collectively serve nearly 15,000 customers in western Pennsylvania.

In preparation for winter, utility personnel also have completed inspections and conducted equipment maintenance on weather-sensitive equipment across its service area.

The work includes the use of special thermal-imaging cameras to detect hot spots, or weak points, invisible to the naked eye on electrical equipment prone to overheating and malfunctioning as customers crank up their heaters to combat the cold. Substation electricians also inspected batteries used to power relays that sense faults on the network and motors that automatically operate switches to isolate those problems, helping to prevent service interruptions or limit their size and scope.

Penn Power serves more than 160,000 customers in all or parts of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Lawrence and Mercer counties in western Pennsylvania. Follow Penn Power on Twitter @Penn_Power, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennPower, and online at www.pennpower.com.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company’s transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor’s Note:  Photos of Penn Power crews installing an interior substation fence are available for download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel installing the fence application and explaining the work can be found on the company’s YouTube channel.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/penn-power-wraps-up-projects-to-strengthen-electric-system-ahead-of-winter-301172199.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.