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New Delhi 28 June 2011
Press Release
BSES’ Monsoon Advisory
Oil Circuit Breakers replaced with Gas based Circuit breakers to reduce moisture related “flashovers” and trippings
Fencing around all plinth and pole mounted transformers provided or repaired
Height of the foundation (base) of transformers in low-lying areas increased to safe levels
Customers requested to take safety precautions to avoid monsoon related electricity incidents
Much to everyone’s delight, Monsoons have arrived. To ensure that BSES’ 28 lakh customers continue to enjoy the pleasant weather and an incident free power supply, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL), are undertaking all possible measures.
At times, Monsoon also brings with itself, its own set of unique problems and issues - at times beyond the control of a discoms influence. Adhering to simple safety guidelines, together, BSES and its customers can help each other ensure safe and incident free monsoons. In order to safeguard human lives and equipment, at times, it also becomes necessary to switch off the electricity supply to an affected area as a precautionary measure.
Common monsoon related issues
Some of the unique problems during monsoons are water-logging, strong winds uprooting of trees/ falling branches, etc, at times, damage electricity installations, resulting in outages.
Preventive Maintenance undertaken by BRPL/BYPL to prevent moisture related breakdowns/incidents in South, West, East and Central Delhi
Oil filled circuit breakers in 11 kV distribution sub-stations (BRPL 3500, BYPL 3219) replaced with advanced gas-filled SF6 Breakers during the last couple of years. These have greatly reduced moisture related “flashovers” and trippings.
11 kV Feeder panels replaced with Vacuum Circuit Breakers (VCB’s) and SF6 Circuit Breakers at the Grid stations (BRPL 72 Grids, BYPL 49 Grids)
Proper fencing around all plinth and pole mounted transformers
Height of the foundation (base) of transformers in low-lying areas increased to safe levels
Secured gates for preventing un-authorised access at 11 kV sub-stations
Pruning of trees to prevent entangling with overhead BSES cables
Moreover, in order to minimize inconvenience to its customers, BRPL and BYPL have directed their Operations & Maintenance personnel to attend to any such problem on a war-footing so that power is restored at the earliest.
BSES has also written a letter to the Chief Engineers in different zones in East and Central Delhi, requesting them to check their streetlight poles and motor pump in parks, for leakages and ensuring proper earthing. This will ensure that electricity related incidents can be avoided.
“Even though BRPL and BYPL have provided/ repaired fencing around all plinth and pole mounted transformers, there could be instances, where miscreants may damage the same. In such instances, citizens / RWA’s are requested to immediately alert BSES by calling 39999707 (BRPL) and 39999808 (BYPL)” so that necessary action can be taken”, said a BSES official.
Advisory for customers
“Due to water-logging, chances of electricity related mishaps and incidents are especially high during the monsoon season. BSES urges customers to stay away from all electrical installations like electricity poles, sub-stations, transformers, streetlights etc and educate children not to play near them, even if they are barricaded. Moreover, if an electric pole is surrounded by water, please stay away from it. This will go a long way in ensuring an incident free monsoons”, said Mr Gopal Saxena, CEO, BRPL.
“It is important for every one to keep a “Tester” at home. If a switch or a wall of your house is wet, do not touch it. First use the “tester” to check if there is electricity leakage. Also, please have the internal wiring of your premises checked by a qualified electrician for leakages regularly. Though discoms have made proper safety arrangements, but life is precious. If an electric pole, etc is surrounded by water, please stay away from it”, said Mr Ramesh Narayanan, CEO, BYPL.
According to a BSES spokesperson, “BSES urges customers to also take safety precautions and inform their local offices in case of any breakdown. Please cooperate with our personnel who are engaged in the work of restoration of supply and attending to breakdowns for faster restoration of power”
BRPL and BYPL, Delhi’s premier power distribution companies are committed to ensuring quality and reliable electricity supply to all their consumers.