Oncor Installs First Intelligent, Pulse-Closing Switch In The World In Dallas/Fort Worth As Part Of Smart Grid Strategy
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oncor installed the first IntelliRupter® PulseCloser switch in the world at a location in the Dallas/Fort Worth area last week. The new, groundbreaking technology is another step in the development of Oncor's smart grid, a technologically advanced electric delivery system.
This intelligent switch designed and built by S&C Electric Company with utility partner input has cutting edge PulseClosing™ Technology that is designed to know when a line is clear and can restore electric service. Multiple, non-disruptive pulses are periodically injected to check the line for short circuits and to quickly restore electric service if the fault is brief. This new design is expected to extend the life of lines, transformers and circuit breakers.
"The IntelliRupter switch will communicate with other technology on Oncor's system and will coordinate with Oncor's automated power restoration systems," said Jim Greer, senior vice president of asset management and engineering at Oncor. "The first IntelliRupter installed at Oncor bears a memorial plate commemorating the work of Doug Staszesky, an engineer for S&C who did much of the development. He died before he could see his work put into operation. Oncor is honored to be the utility that installs IntelliRupter No.1."
Oncor is introducing new devices, such as the IntelliRupter, as part of an initiative to develop an electric grid that will monitor, think, act, repair and prepare itself to respond quickly to consumer needs. Smart grid refers to a number of advanced technologies on the electric delivery system with the goal of improving electric service to the homes and businesses served by Oncor. Ultimately a smart grid is intended to expand automatic service restoration, sense outages as they occur, monitor equipment performance, report back on needed maintenance and more.
"The goal of introducing new technology such as the IntelliRupter is to achieve higher reliability for the communities Oncor serves," Greer said. "Although Oncor is among the top performing utilities in the nation in terms of reliability, Oncor's goal is to be even better. Our society depends on reliable electric service to grow and thrive. Innovations like the IntelliRupter are an important means for Oncor and other utilities to strive to improve their performance and develop increasingly sophisticated methods to minimize the impact of outages and restore power."
Oncor is a regulated electric distribution and transmission business that uses superior asset management skills to provide reliable electricity delivery to consumers. Oncor operates the largest distribution and transmission system in Texas, providing power to 3 million electric delivery points over more than 102,000 miles of distribution and 14,000 miles of transmission lines. While Oncor is a subsidiary of Energy Future Holdings Corp., Oncor is a separate entity with a separate board that is comprised of a majority of independent directors.
S&C Electric Company, headquartered in Chicago, IL, specializes in the development and manufacture of innovative products for the electric power industry, as well as the delivery of comprehensive, expert services for this industry. Information about S&C is available at www.sandc.com/iro.
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