Line remains in service for Kegonsa - Christiana work

How do you rebuild a transmission line and keep it in service at the same time? Just ask ATC Project Manager Stan Tessmer and the crew from PAR Electrical Contractors, Inc. Since early February, PAR has worked to reinforce the towers, replace insulators and move conductors -- all while the power has continued to flow.

This line is very important to the Dane County transmission system. Loss of this line can result in low voltages to our customers and overloading of other adjacent lines and substation equipment. Fortunately, the "energized" technology exists. Robotic arms enable crews to separate energized 138kV lines from their towers. The crews are specially equipped and highly trained to complete their work safely and without interruption of service.

After installing sets of insulators, PAR crews transferred the conductors to temporary locations. Installation of the new conductors began in late March and, weather permitting, will be completed before mid-April. The new conductors will be energized in parallel with the old prior to transferring the entire load to the new wires.

When the new conductors are connected and in-service, the old wires will be removed. A new fiber optic-containing shield wire will be installed and the right-of-way will be cleaned-up and restored as needed. It is anticipated that all of this will be completed before the end of May.

Participating on the team are David Wojtzcak, ATC transmission planner, design engineer Ryan Callahan, construction coordinator Henry Jinks and a project team from Power Engineers, Inc.