PZM Line Patrol Inspections

For years, line patrol programs were used to look for deficiencies along power lines, and identify repairs needed to maintain power and reduce outages.

The programs were essentially an honor system with no real oversight...

That all changed when California utilities started over 2,000 fires in a four-year period.

The destruction was unprecedented—burning thousands of homes, killing dozens of people, and eventually bankrupting California's largest electric utility.

Instead of an honor system with no real oversight, electric utilities now face several new regulations, fines, denial-of-rate increases to recover losses if negligence is found, and even criminal charges.

It is hard to pin-point the cause of the fires on one specific issue: aging powerlines, years of drought, dry brush, dead and dying trees, and strong winds are all to blame.

The average age of a power line pole is 40 years old—with some poles coming in at 85 to 100 years old!

Ultimately, a utility must have a consistent and thorough inspection program and document their inspections.

Investigators of California's wildfires found the utilities violated the following as part of their inspection program:

• Failing to identify and abate dying, diseased or weakened trees and tree parts.
• Improper performance of vegetation management activities, such as pruning, removal, etc.
• Failing to perform a complete patrol of its system, according to best practices.
• Failing to retain documents related to vegetation inspections.

PZM's Line Patrol program was designed so power companies can be diligent in the timing and thoroughness of their power line inspections.

PZM understands how important it is to protect the company, the public, and maintenance workers from economic and physical harm.

PZM uses a handheld mobile device with satellite location capabilities to document the pole-by-pole inspections.

The documentation includes who performed the inspection, the date of the inspection, and the location of the inspection.

PZM covers a comprehensive list of inspection questions:

• Condition of the Pole
• Hardware and Attachments
• Broken, Deteriorated or Failing Equipment
• Lines
• Braces
• Insulators
• Pins
• Transformers
• Insulator Ties
• Crossarms
• Vegetation Management
• Wildfire Fuels
• Joint Pole Attachments
• Guys and Anchors

Over 15 questions per pole or structure!

PZM also has equipment specific questions for underground equipment inspections.

PZM's Line Patrol feature allows your utility to adjust the frequency, or inspection cycles, based on differences in equipment type, conditions, geography, environment, and risk of failure.