Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
PECO kicks off annual utility pole inspections
Maintenance program will examine 39,000 poles this year
PECO has begun its annual inspection of utility poles across Chester, Montgomery, Delaware and Bucks counties.
The inspections kicked off in early January, and are expected to continue into the fall, according to PECO spokesman Greg Smore.
“The inspections include a visual examination of poles, taking samples from the interior of poles and excavating around the base to check for decay,” he said. “In addition to signs of decay, we also work to identify any structural damage that may have occurred to the pole, which would require repairs or replacement. If any immediate issues are identified, repairs will be completed as well. We conduct this proactive work to help prevent outages and keep our customers and crews safe.”
During this year’s inspection cycle, more than 39,000 utility poles will be inspected, about 10 percent of the company’s total 390,000 utility poles across its service area. Every pole the company maintain is inspected every 10 years in accordance with the National Electric Safety Code, according to a release.
“Continuous inspection, repair and replacement of equipment on our electric system is critical to ensuring safe and reliable service for our customers,” said David Weaver, vice president of technical services in the
release. “Preventive maintenance programs such as this help reduce the frequency and duration of outages, and improve the performance of our entire system, keeping our customers and crews safe.”
Smore added that the inspections “are scheduled based on geographical locations across the region, based on the company’s mapping system.”
Of the poles that have been inspected so far, Smore said the company has identified some that need replacement or repair and others that require treatment to prevent decay.
The inspections are part of nearly $3 million in preventive maintenance work, and the program impacts more than 150,000 customers. Each year, PECO invests more than $500 million to enhance the company’s electric system. This program is part of the company’s overall preventive maintenance program which also includes regular inspection of equipment, including manholes, aerial wires and underground cables, transformers and substations.
Poles in the following communities are being inspected this year:
• BUCKS: Bedminster, Buckingham, Chalfont, Doylestown Township, Doylestown Borough, New Britain, Solebury and Upper Makefield.
• CHESTER: Charlestown, East Pikeland, Phoenixville, Schuylkill and Tredyffrin.
• DELAWARE: Alden, Aston, Brookhaven, Chester, Collingdale, Darby, Eddystone, Folcroft, Glenolden, Media , Middletown, Morton, Nether, Nether Providence, Prospect Park, Ridley, Ridley Park, Rose Valley, Springfield, Tinicum, Upland and Upper Darby.
•MONTGOMERY: Bridgeport, Conshohocken, East Norriton, East Pikeland, East Vincent, Limerick, Lower Providence, Marlborough, Perkiomen, Plymouth, RoyerSford, Salford, Skippack, Spring City, Upper Merion, Upper Providence, Upper Salford, West Norriton, Whitemarsh and Whitpain.
“Continuous inspection, repair and replacement of equipment on our electric system is critical to ensuring safe and reliable service for our customers.” — David Weaver, PECO vice president of technical services