March - April 2015 - Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative

ENERGIZING Our Communities
Exploring the Counties We Serve – BRUNSWICK
This is the third article in a
series highlighting the counties
and areas served by Mecklenburg
Electric Cooperative. Historical
facts will be followed by highlights
of the county’s attractions and
community, followed by a
mention of some of the businesses
and establishments served
by Mecklenburg Electric
Cooperative.
Virginia’s intriguing Brunswick
County is located in the south-central
part of the Commonwealth along the
North Carolina border. The county was
formed in 1720 as lands from Prince
George, Surry and Isle of Wight counties
were joined. It was named after the
German region of BrunswickLunenburg, which was a British
possession at the time.
A few years before the county was
founded, Governor Alexander
Spotswood selected the area for the site
of Fort Christanna, a trading depot and
school for American Indian children.
brunswick
VIRGINIA
The light-blue-shaded areas are served by Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative.
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As many as 100 students attended the
William and Mary-sponsored school; the
experience brought new ideas, a new
language, a new religion, and the
opportunity to acquire European trade
goods. The fort became a melting pot of
Occaneechi, Monacan, Eno, Tutelo,
Saponi, and Nansemond tribes. The fort
remained open for four years; however,
Native American tribes remained in the
area until the 1730s. Recent research
indicates some members put down
permanent roots and called Brunswick
and surrounding counties home. The
historical site of this pentagon-shaped
fort is located on Highway 686 and is
managed by the Fort Christanna Site
Development Committee and the
Brunswick County/Lake Gaston Tourism
Association. A day trip to Fort
Christanna will open up the secrets of
this southern Virginia historical gem.
Researchers visiting the Brunswick
County Clerk’s Office are quickly
amazed to find records back to 1732.
Many southern courthouses were
burned as Yankee forces raided
everything in their path during the Civil
War, but because of a quick-thinking
Brunswick official, the County’s records
were saved. Clerk Edward Turnbull
spread out a Masonic apron on an office
table, and forces left without destroying
anything of value. Evidently, a Union
officer‘s allegiance to the brotherhood of
Freemasonry saved 130 years of
Southside Virginia’s history.
A distinctive part of Brunswick
history began in 1888 when an
Episcopal priest, James Solomon Russell,
established a parish school for AfricanAmerican children. By 1893 the school,
located in Lawrenceville, was
incorporated and became Saint Paul’s
Normal and Industrial School. In 1957
the institution adopted the name Saint
Paul’s College to reflect its liberal arts
and education curricula for teachers.
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative
MECKLENBURG ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVE QUICK FACTS
FOR BRUNSWICK COUNTY, VA.
MEC Miles of Line
474
Number of Active MEC Services
3,639
MEC Substations
Ebony
Gasburg
Freeman
Brink
March-April 2015
COURTESY OF RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
COURTESY OF BOBBY CONNER
Having experienced significant financial
difficulties, the college closed in 2013.
Three of the early buildings remaining
on campus have been listed in the
National Register of Historic Places.
Perhaps Brunswick County’s greatest
claim to fame is being the namesake of
Brunswick stew. For years, Brunswick
County, Va., and Brunswick, Ga., have
participated in the “stew wars,” each
claiming to be the original creator. At the
height of the battle, Virginia’s 1988
General Assembly put to rest the debate
and issued a proclamation citing
Brunswick County, Va., as “… the place
of origin of this astonishing gastronomical
miracle.”
In 1828, 70 years earlier than Georgia
claims, camp cook James Matthews
served up the first stew for Virginia
Legislator Dr. Creed Haskins and his
hunting party. The story goes “Uncle
Jimmy” shot some squirrels, pitched
them in the pot to simmer with butter,
onions, and stale bread. If that doesn’t
start your taste buds watering, the
original guests weren’t initially
impressed either. However, history was
made with a taste of the first spoonful.
Last year 26 stewmasters vied for the
top spot in the “Taste of Brunswick
Festival” Stew Cook-off, cooking over
4,600 quarts of the tasty delight.
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative
(MEC) member George Daniel and his
Red Oak Stew Crew are multi-year
champions at the festival; rumor has it
their secret ingredient is a dash of
bravado. Our hats are also off to MEC
Above, left: A portion of the Tobacco Heritage Trail, an ongoing project of developing
abandoned railroad property into a trails system, passes through Brunswick County.
• Above, right: Brothers Kevin (left) and Phil Pair (right), stewmasters of the South of the
Meherrin Stew Crew, were assisted by Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and First Lady
Dorothy McAuliffe in stirring the large pot of stew they made for members of the General
Assembly on Capitol Square in Richmond in February 2014.
member and stew champion, Phil Pair
and his South of the Meherrin Stew
Crew, the 2013 champs. According to
Phil, “My dad taught us to cook
Brunswick stew, and along the way we
learned it was really about helping out
local churches and organizations. We
love giving back to the community.”
Brunswick County has three towns —
Alberta, Brodnax, and the county seat,
Lawrenceville. Numerous unincorporated
communities served by MEC are Adsit,
Ankum, Barker Crossroads, County
Pond, Callaville, Ebony, Edgerton,
Freeman, Gasburg, Gholsonville,
Greentown, Sturgeon, Smoky Ordinary,
Triplet, Valentines, and White Plains.
These rural communities are blessed
to have residents who volunteer their
services for the good of all, and MEC
thanks all those who give of their time
on local rescue squads and fire
departments. MEC provides electricity
to Gasburg, Lake Gaston and Ebony
volunteer fire departments and financially
supports all of the fire departments and
rescue squads in the county.
Brunswick County has two popular
lakes, and MEC serves areas around
both. Brunswick Lake (County Pond) is
a 157-acre body of water maintained by
the Virginia Department of Game and
Inland Fisheries. The Department owns
a 20-foot strip of land around the
shoreline open to the public. Crappies
there await your hook on quiet, sunny
afternoons.
Lake Gaston is a hydroelectric reservoir
divided by the Virginia and North Carolina
state lines. The portion extending into
Virginia lies in Brunswick and
Mecklenburg counties. Lake Gaston is
roughly 35 miles long and covers over
20,000 acres with 350 miles of shoreline.
The lake is fed by water from Buggs
Island Lake upstream, and supplies
water to Roanoke Rapids Lake downstream.
The area surrounding the lake is home
to more than 150,000 residents.
Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy a variety
of recreational activities on the lakes.
Many enjoyable hours are spent on
fishing boats, pontoons, ski boats, or jet
skis. Residents and visitors get ready for
the warm summer days by visiting
Poplar Pointe Marine and the Shady
Shack Grill and Flip Flop Bar.
Many “land-lovers” can be found
walking, horseback riding or bicycling
on The Tobacco Heritage Trail that spans
portions of this and surrounding
counties. Through an ongoing project,
abandoned railroad property is being
developed into a trails system. Ralph
Manuel Quarter Horses on Western Mill
Road can accommodate those considering
horseback riding as a new hobby.
Among the many interesting
establishments where Mecklenburg
Electric Cooperative provides electricity
is the Kennon House restaurant. This
piece of Virginia history, located in
Gasburg, has been transformed into a
fine-dining establishment. An article
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COURTESY OF BOBBY CONNER
COURTESY OF JUSTIN ROBINSON/
JR ONLINE DESIGNS
about the tavern-style restaurant and its
history was featured in Cooperative
Living magazine in February of 2014.
Also in Gasburg is Designs by Mary
offering special monogrammed gifts
with a little extra bling.
With February recently past, a
famous spot that comes to mind is the
Valentines Post Office on Highway 46.
In the weeks prior to Feb. 14, people
from across the country routinely send
thousands of pieces of mail to the post
office to be postmarked from
“Valentines, Va.” Just a few miles down
the road, area residents are served by
another nostalgic post office at Ebony.
In the heart of Ebony is the Ebony
General Store, a stop that many make for
fuel or a snack. Just across the road Chef
David Rose is hard at work in the Chef’s
Korner. He creates delicacies for every
palate, from blueberry pancakes, to a hot
pastrami sandwich, to blackened filet
mignon. He caters events as well.
Also served by MEC is The Club/
Lake Gaston Resort, a private camping
and recreational vehicle resort.
Accommodations also include quaint
28' and 38' park model units, waterfront
motel rooms, and luxurious “Plus”
units. The 22,000-square-foot clubhouse
may be reserved by non-members for
private functions such as weddings and
corporate events.
The Lake Gaston Golf Club offers
some of the finest golf recreation in
Southside Virginia. Located in Gasburg,
the course has a variety of holes that
include wide-open fairways to
challenging “chutes.” After a great round
of golf, Pino’s Pizza is nearby offering
great sandwiches and pizza. Gasburg
Golf Cars can provide a way around the
course or even a monster hunting buggy.
Brunswick Speedway, located
on Hwy. 46 four miles south of
Lawrenceville, is a first-class, highbanked go-kart track attracting karters
from several states and ranging in age
from 5 years old to over 70 years young.
A. L. and Betsy Baird have always
wanted to host a business where people
could have a good time, and their
business sports the motto, “Let the Good
Times Roll.”
For all of these reasons, the area
around Lake Gaston attracts many
people looking to buy property and
build their dream vacation home. Land
Top: Aubrey Edmonds (center) and his sons Calvin (left) and Donnie operate Edmonds
Printing in Lawrenceville. Not pictured is another son involved in the business, Kerry Wayne.
• Above, left: Brunswick Speedway’s motto is “Let the Good Times Roll.” • Above, right:
Lake Gaston offers lots of fun activities for residents of Brunswick County and visitors to
the area.
Surveyor James Bradley and his crew are
busy making sure lots are ready for
building. S&K Dozer has the equipment
and know-how to get the grade just
right; and Dan R. Clary Construction in
White Plains offers concrete, masonry,
sidewalks, driveways, decking, and
custom millwork, as well as restoration,
remodeling, home repair, and door
replacement.
Brunswick County residents know
how to enjoy life by the lake, but there’s
also some hard work taking place. The
area is blessed with rich soil to grow
towering trees that support a great
logging industry. The folks at Gasburg
Land and Timber, S.R. Jones Jr. Land and
Timber, Aubrey L. Clary Inc., and
Ronald E. Wright Logging provide jobs
and boost the economy by promoting a
strong timber industry. Gasburg Equipment
stands ready to meet the need for
forestry equipment and supplies.
Sometimes there’s a fine line between
work and play. Those who enjoy
working in the yard and planting a
bounty of beautiful flowers buy their
mulch from Buck Woods LLC along
Highway 58 near Freeman.
With all this activity in the county,
there are enough printing needs to keep
the folks at Edmonds Printing near
Lawrenceville quite busy. This familyoperated business began 53 years ago;
and owner, Aubrey Edmonds,
humorously says he and his three sons
print “anything but money.”
All of the communities in Brunswick
County comprise an irreplaceable
portion of the territory served by
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative. The
history and the character exemplify a
part of Virginia that has been preserved
since its founding. The residents are
proud of their heritage, are steadfast and
continue working to promote the
growth of the area they call home.
— Sources for this article include Wikipedia
and websites of the various businesses.
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative
Paula Bacon
Submits Recipe
We thank Paula Bacon of North Chesterfield
for sending this recipe. She says, “This has been
a favorite in our family for a very long time. As
fast as it’s made, it’s gone!” She adds, “Use
tortilla chips or any other kind of chip for
dipping. I like to make this a day ahead of
baking so the flavors blend in.”
Pepperoni Pizza Dip
First Layer
Beat the following ingredients together:
2 (8-oz.) pkgs. cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
¼ tsp. granulated garlic or garlic powder
½ to 1 cup Parmesan cheese
Spread in a 9 X 13 baking dish.
Second Layer
1 can spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce
Spread on top of the cream cheese mixture.
Third Layer
Cover top with 2 cups grated pizza cheese or
mozzarella. Shake Parmesan cheese all over top.
Fourth Layer
Cut pepperoni in small pieces and place on
top. You can also use mushrooms, onions, and
green peppers.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
Cheese will melt and the top will start to
bubble. Do not cover while in the oven.
MECKLENBURG ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVE
P.O. Box 2451
Chase City, VA 23924-2451
Chase City District
(434) 372-6200
Emporia District
(434) 634-6168
Gretna District
(434) 656-1288
Power Failure & Emergencies
(877) 632-5688
Office Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Website: www.meckelec.org
Like us on Facebook
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative is an
equal opportunity provider and employer.
March-April 2015
Meet Your Cooperative Employee
Matt Dunn is senior programmer
at Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative
(MEC). With a B.S. degree in
computer science from Old
Dominion University, he designs,
develops and modifies computer
programs and handles other
technical functions for the
accounting and data processing
department. He has assisted in
training other employees in the use
of various software programs and has
been responsible for uploading and
downloading mainframe computer
data. Currently he is devoting his
time to an extensive project of
converting the data system to a more
modern interface that is used nationally.
Matt also assists MEC members
over the telephone concerning
capital credits, web pay or other
website questions. Working in the
back portion of the Headquarters
office in Chase City, he is seldom
seen by members who come into the
building; however, each year at the
Annual Meeting, he mans the
registration booth and has the
opportunity to meet some of the
patrons who receive electricity from
the Cooperative.
Always willing to help wherever
he is needed, Matt has assisted with
power restoration following major
storms by answering incoming
outage calls, delivering parts to crews
in the field and preparing lunches for
the linemen.
He comments, “I like my job
because there is always something
new to learn. Being a part of the
information technology (IT) team
has given me the opportunity to be
involved in projects that save the
Cooperative money and ease the
workload of fellow employees.”
For the past four years he has
served on the planning committee
for a regional IT conference allowing
him to see the technology being used
at other cooperatives. He emphasizes
that in the electric industry — today
more than ever — technology is
behind the scenes making sure the
power is flowing reliably and safely.
Several years ago, he was asked to
serve on MEC’s safety committee,
Matt Dunn
Senior Programmer
Chase City Headquarters
24 Years of Service
and he readily agreed to take on the
additional task. Members of that
group cultivate safety awareness in
the organization by encouraging
fellow employees to hold themselves
and each other responsible for safe
working practices. He comments,
“The committee’s objective is to
protect MEC employees, our
members and the communities.”
Matt and his wife, Leigh Anne,
have been married 23 years. She is in
the nursing profession and is an R.N.
in the Alzheimer’s unit at Meadowview
Terrace in Clarksville. Their 11-yearold daughter, Lane, is a G.A.T.E.
student at Park View Middle School.
The Dunns live on MEC lines
near John H. Kerr Dam. Being close
to Buggs Island Lake, they enjoy
water sports in the summer months
and getting together with friends.
Matt quips, “We live in the ‘suburbs’
of Palmer Springs.”
For many years Matt’s favorite
hobby has been collecting and
reading super hero comic books. He
still has the first one he bought from
Garland Drug Store in South Hill
when he was 10 years old and
estimates that he owns over 12,000.
In December of this year Matt will
reach a milestone of 25 years with
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative,
and we thank him for his dedicated
service.
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PJM ... Coordinating Transmission, Generation Resources
As part of a continuing series
highlighting organizations that are
involved in providing power to your
home or business, this month we
feature PJM, our area’s regional
transmission organization.
MAPS COURTESY PJM
A regional transmission organization
(RTO) is an association responsible for
moving electricity over large interstate
areas — coordinating, controlling and
monitoring the electricity transmission
grid. It is formed at the approval of the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) after meeting required
characteristics and functions. It is an
independent organization that ensures
reliability and optimizes supply for
wholesale electric power.
The RTO that is responsible for
managing the electrical grid across most
of Virginia and all or portions of 12
other states, and the District of
Columbia, is Pennsylvania-New JerseyMaryland Interconnection or PJM.
Bearing this name since 1956, the
organization has integrated additional
utility transmission systems into its
operations through the years.
PJM is headquartered in Audubon,
Pa., and composes the world’s largest
competitive wholesale electricity market.
With over 65,000 miles of transmission
line and 6,038 transmission substations,
it has over 185,000 megawatts of
generating capacity. More than 830
companies are members of PJM.
PJM ensures that sufficient
generation is available or running to
satisfy electrical demand. It is prepared
for an emergency situation, such as a
running power plant going completely
off-line, as well as normal day-to-day
requirements. When relentless weather
strikes, PJM is monitoring the amount of
load on the grid to safeguard continued
operation when air conditioners are
steadily cooling on 100-degree summer
afternoons, as well as on cold winter
nights when heating systems are
running overtime in millions of homes.
If demand nears capacity and lines
become congested, the cost of operating
such facilities increases dramatically.
One of PJM’s top priorities is to see that
the least-cost generation is used to meet
electrical demand.
PJM makes long-range transmission
plans for the future. In order to ensure
continued reliable electric supply, it
monitors load growth forecasts, requests
for new generating plants and planned
retirements of existing ones, and
possible solutions to mitigate congestion
on the transmission system.
In last month’s magazine we featured
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
(ODEC), Mecklenburg Electric
Cooperative’s power supplier. The
transmission facilities of ODEC are part
of the power grid coordinated by PJM.
These two organizations working
together ensure safe, reliable and
cost-effective electricity for you and
your family.
Ensuring reliability
for more than
61 million
people
Above: Shown are the various zones where PJM coordinates the
movement of electricity. Areas include all or parts of Delaware,
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North
Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and
the District of Columbia. • Right: PJM provides over 25 percent of the
power generated in North America’s Eastern Interconnection.
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Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative
MEC Directors, Staff Meet
with State Elected Officials
Directors and key staff of
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative
(MEC) visited Richmond on Jan. 26,
joining 200 representatives from other
member-owned electric cooperatives as
part of the Virginia, Maryland &
Delaware Association of Electric
Cooperatives’ (VMDAEC) annual
Legislative Day.
MEC representatives included board
members Stan Duffer, Fletcher Jones,
Donnie Moore, Peggy Lee, John Waller
and Angela Wilson, as well as MEC staff,
President & CEO John Lee, V. P. of
Member and Energy Services David
Lipscomb, and Energy Efficiency
Advisor Brian Morris.
Before ascending Capitol Hill to call
on delegates and senators from their
areas of the Commonwealth, cooperative
delegations were briefed by VMDAEC
staff about major issues being considered
by the 2015 General Assembly.
MEC representatives distributed a
fact-filled handout to help inform
legislators about the “cooperative
difference” as well as to express their
concerns about proposed net-energymetering legislation.
March-April 2015
Representatives from Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative meet with Del. James E. Edmunds II
in his office to discuss legislative issues of concern to rural residents. From left are Donnie
Moore, Fletcher Jones, Stan Duffer, John Waller, Del. Edmunds, David Lipscomb, Angela
Wilson, Peggy Lee, John Lee and Brian Morris.
John Lee, president & CEO of MEC,
says, “It is critically important for our
Cooperative to serve as an industry
resource to our elected officials in
Richmond, and Washington as well.
We must also be diligent in monitoring
proposed legislation that could impact
our ability to provide and deliver
affordable, reliable and responsible
power safely to our members. These
annual visits accomplish both those
goals and ensure that the decision
makers there know that the cooperatives
will take a strong stand on behalf of
those we serve, and will be vigilant in
protecting our members’ interests.”
The MEC representatives also
expressed opposition to House Bill
2325, stating that their members
should not have to subsidize below-cost
pole-attachment charges for cable
and broadband providers, noting that
this matter had already been addressed
by the 2012 General Assembly.
These visits provided MEC directors
and management an opportunity to
discuss face-to-face with lawmakers
proposed legislative changes that might
affect the Cooperative and its members
as they also shared the importance of
electric cooperatives in providing
energy to Virginia’s homes, farms
and businesses.
Correction
In the article, “Exploring the
Counties We Serve — Mecklenburg,”
in January’s issue, a picture of
waterfront homes was captioned,
“Buggs Island Lake is home to many
boating and fishing enthusiasts.” The
homes are actually overlooking Lake
Gaston. We apologize for this mistake.
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EVERYDAY SAVINGS
THAT’S THE POWER OF CO-OP MEMBERSHIP
Windy Days Signal
Possible Power Outages
Most people realize
that inclement weather,
such as snow, sleet, or
freezing rain create
conditions that could
cause outages on the
electrical system.
However, there is
another challenge that
Mother Nature
oftentimes bombards
Ron Campbell
Mecklenburg Electric
Safety Director
Cooperative and all
electric utilities with ... wind. When you
hear it howling outside your window, you
might not realize that there is potential for
an outage as surely as with snow and ice;
but a large percentage of outages are
caused by wind.
Preparation
Pharmacist F. W. Richards, Jr., of Richards Pharmacy in Chase City says, “My father worked
at Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative for 28 years, so I’m familiar with the not-for-profit
organization and how it is owned by those it serves. When I found out about the Co-op
Connections program, I agreed to participate because I knew it must be a good benefit for
the members if it’s offered by the Cooperative.” To date, Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative
members have saved over $321,000 on prescriptions using their Co-op Connections card.
Right-of-Way Update
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (MEC) has scheduled right-of-way cutting and
spraying efforts for 2015. Contractors’ vehicles will be designated with Mecklenburg
Electric signage and will be working in the following areas:
Side-Trimming Schedule for 2015
Trimming work has been completed in the Jones Store substation areas on
Trottinridge Road, Wilborn Road and Finchley and has begun in Beechwood
substation on Hwy. 1 from Big Fork to the North Carolina line. Upon completion, the
Palmer Springs and Keats areas will be next, then Belfield substation, east of Emporia
down Hwy. 58 and north of Emporia up Hwy. 301.
Herbicide-Spraying Schedule for 2015
Herbicide spraying during the upcoming year will be performed from June through
October by an associated contractor. The following areas will be treated:
Omega Substation – Hwy. 58 east of South Boston, Hwy. 501 south to N.C. line,
Virgilina and Red Bank areas;
Clarksville Substation – Hwy. 15 south to N.C. line, Merifield Subdivision, Old
National Highway;
North View Substation – Union Level Road, Buckhorn area, Dry Creek Road, Hwy.
58 near Big Fork; and
Crystal Hill Substation – Clarkton Road (Mt. Laurel area), Clays Mill Road
(Nathalie area), Hwy. 501 from Banister River to Volens, Hwy. 57 near Meadville
School and Meadville Road.
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On gusty days and nights, you should
make the same preparations as you would
for winter storms. Store water in clean
containers for drinking and cooking
purposes. Fill your bathtub and washing
machine with water for personal hygiene
and flushing the toilet.
Locate flashlights, other battery-operated
lighting and extra batteries so they will be
handy if the power goes out. It’s best to avoid
using candles, which can be a fire hazard.
Precaution
Electric lines are a safe way to supply
energy to your home or business, but when
inclement weather takes down the power
lines, that’s when the real danger begins.
There is the threat of fire or electrocution.
DO NOT GO NEAR DOWNED POWER
LINES. THEY COULD STILL BE ENERGIZED.
Because electricity can travel through the
ground, a live wire touching the ground can
harm you, even if you don’t touch the wire.
STAY AT LEAST 35 FEET AWAY. Electricity
can also travel through tree limbs. NEVER
REMOVE LIMBS OR OTHER ITEMS
THAT ARE TOUCHING OR NEAR A
DOWNED WIRE. NEVER USE ANY
OBJECT TO MOVE A DOWNED WIRE.
If you see a downed power line, call
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative
immediately at 1-877-632-5688.
We have crews “on call” 24 hours a day
in case of emergency.
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative
Improving Your Service Through
Routine Substation Inspections
The power that Mecklenburg Electric
Cooperative (MEC) acquires from Old Dominion
Electric Cooperative for your use is delivered
through our region’s high-voltage transmission
system to our 25 distribution substations. These
substations step down 69,000 and 115,000 volts to
distribution line voltages of 12,470 to 25,000 volts;
these lines then deliver electricity to your homes
and businesses. Every electron that comes to your
home first passes through one of these substations.
With that in mind, it is a no-brainer that
maintaining these important facilities is a top
priority for your Cooperative’s staff.
Each month our personnel visually inspect
every component in every substation. MEC’s staff
looks at insulators that support wires, lightning
arrestors that protect massive equipment, power
transformers that actually step down the voltage,
regulators that ensure the voltage is kept within the
desired range, and circuit reclosers that protect
equipment when a tree falls across the line and
causes a short circuit.
In addition to visual substation inspections by
a trained eye, readings from a temperature or
pressure gauge or current meter are also recorded
to ensure each device is operating according to its
designed parameters. According to Greg Hicks,
one of MEC’s service technicians, “Substation
inspections are a valuable part of our maintenance
program that ensures each piece of equipment is
functioning to its fullest.” He goes on to say, “We
remotely monitor substation operation including
when a recloser opens because a tree fell on the
line. But there’s no substitution for a visual
inspection.”
In addition to monthly inspections, each
substation undergoes a variety of annual
examinations, one such check is an infrared
scan to identify “hot spots.” When a connection
becomes loose or begins to fail, the temperature at
that connection begins to increase. By using an
infrared camera, our team can identify such
conditions and make repairs before the problem
progresses thus avoiding an untimely outage.
By performing routine preventative maintenance,
MEC is able to add predictability to an unpredictable
world.
March-April 2015
Above: Greg Hicks, service technician in the Emporia District, performs
regulator checks in the substation to ensure voltage is maintained at
optimum levels. • Below: An infrared scan in a substation can reveal
potential problems. The results pictured here indicate the white area
(marked by the cross-hairs) is a loose connection. This was tightened to
ensure continued operation.
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