Top 4 Issues that Plague Power Distribution Systems

Like any piece of equipment, power distribution systems can degrade over time thanks to normal wear and tear, and therefore require ongoing maintenance to maintain optimum performance.  Similarly, specific events, like animal-caused power outages, cyberattacks, power surges and severe storms, can cause a slew of problems beyond just normal wear and tear.

Top Issues for Power Distribution Systems

Below is a snapshot of 4 common problems found in power distribution systems.  Check out this article from PowerMag for additional details.

• Overhead line sag: Transmission lines can withstand temporary voltage overloads up to 20 minutes in duration, but an overload situation lasting longer than that could create sagging. When lines sag, they are lower to the ground and therefore are more likely to come into contact with vegetation and other objects, and any contact of this nature could damage the lines or cause them to snap.
• Transformer failure: If a transformer takes a direct hit of damage, or simply overloads, problems are likely to ensue. In many cases, other transformers can pick up the slack, but sometimes excess capacity is not available.
• Underground wire treeing: This occurs when moisture penetration within an electrical field reduces the dielectric strength of the wire insulation. If the insulation is compromised, a system failure could occur.
• Compromised circuit breakers: Although there are several ways in which a circuit breaker could become compromised, one of the most common problems is a false trip. This occurs when a circuit gets opened when it should remain closed.

Of course, this is just a small list of all the possibilities, but it definitely serves to highlight the importance of maintenance.  Periodic inspections, testing, and investing in system upkeep should be done as part of the normal course of business.  Doing so should help improve reliability which by default should reduce outages, making it an important element of overall emergency preparedness.

The bottom line is, whether we’re talking about power distribution systems or some other component of utility systems, it’s always better to be proactive versus reactive.