Tips & News - October 2013

Vol. 17 No. 3 | october 2013 www. hubbe l l powe r s y s t ems . com ENDURING PRODUCTS AND PEOPLE YOU CAN DEPEND ON. TIPS NEWS

Resolves Feeder Issue with Versa-Tech ® Recloser owen electric

In this issue: Communications Q&A | HPS Select App | Underground Connectors Installation Tips

NEWS

StormSoldiers TheStormSoldiersmoviewas selected tobe shownatDOCUTAHand theLouisvilleInternationalFestivalofFilm.Welookforwardtoshowing the movie to all of our fans at the International Lineman's Rodeo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013. For more information on DOCUTAH, LIFF, or the other film festivals we have entered, please visit stormsoldiersmovie.com. We are proud to announce that themovie is officially inDVDproduction. Youcanpre-orderyour80-pagecommemorativebookandDVDcombination at stormsoldiersmovie.com. 100%of all Hubbell Power Systemsproceeds is donated to charities that support linemen and their families. Whoare the best #stormsoldiers? Shareyourlinelifeandlinemanexperiencesbyincluding#stormsoldiers in all your tweets and Instagram photos. Competing at the rodeo in KansasCity? Shareyour teamt-shirts via Instagram! Includeyour team name,#stormsoldiersand#rodeoteestoseeifyoursisvotedthefavorite! On Friday, October 18we’ll be announcing the locations to have your phototakenwithaStormSoldier.FollowusonTwitterorInstagramfor the announcement! InstagramSocial Icon

owen electric Mystery Blink Problems Solved With Versa-Tech ® Reclosers

NEWCommunications Catalog

Hubbell Power Systems introduces its FIRST catalogdedicated to thecommunications/ telecommarket, featuringgrounding, connectors, pole linehardware, enclosures,

hubbellpowersys hubbellpowersystems

@mrkylemac share’n is care’n

upcoming shows Oct 1-3 ICUEE (Int Const & Util Equip Expo) | Louisville, KY Oct 9–10 Outside Plant | Dallas, TX Oct 16-19 Lineman’s Rodeo | Overland Park, KS

anchorsandmore!Visithubbellpowersystems.comtodownload or the literature storefront to request a copy. We’ve recently updated our Outside Plant poster to showcase more products andanupdateddesign.Toorder,visittheliteraturestorefrontor hubbellpowersystems.comtodownload.

Learn About Our Secret Sauce

Literature Storefront Tips & Features

We almost never reveal our best kept secrets...but even we make exceptions. Hubbell Power Systems has spent the summer visiting customers and hosting cutout cookouts to demonstrate the benefits of Chance® Cutouts. To host a demonstration in your area, contact your territorymanager.

Having trouble using the new literature storefront? Visit hubbellpowersystems.com/ litstoretips for tips and key features tomake ordering literature easier.

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The Advantages The co-op believed this would solve the ‘blink’ dilemma and provide Owen Electric with another benefit.

Since the Versa-Tech ® reclosers are electronic, technicians can change the settings, like interruption curves, while the unit is still on the pole. By using only Versa-Tech reclosers, Owen Electric’s engineers would be able to fine tune the sequence coordination on the Boone (102) feeder quite easily.

While they were at it, the co-op also installed a few new reclosers. “We reviewed our sectionalizing schemes and our criteria for installing reclosers on taps. The decision was made that if there were more than 20-amps on a single phase tap or, if the tap was more than one mile in length, we would install a recloser,” says Bridges. So, in April 2011, Owen Electric installed 21 Versa-Tech reclosers on its Boone feeder. Some replaced oil-filled units and some were new installations. Immediately, the number of blink complaints fell--significantly.

Finding appropriate locations for a few of the new reclosers was a challenge, but overall Owen Electric workers were happy with the work and the results. The linemen found the Versa-Tech reclosers were easy to install. (The units only weigh 55 pounds, much less than an oil-filled recloser.) And, the service technicians were very happy when the member complaints stopped. “Shortly after we put the new reclosers up (May 2011), there was a wind storm and we downloaded the event histories from the Versa-Tech reclosers on that feeder. The data showed that there were no simultaneous trips. We did see some tripping, but nothing simultaneously,” says Bridges.

Hubbell PRS (programmable, resettable sectionalizers) in polymer cutout mountings

Future Projects

In 2011, a lot of members on the co-op’s Boone (102) feeder were calling in ‘blink’ complaints and no one could figure out the problem.

“Since the cause of momentary interruptions is often more difficult to find than the cause of permanent outages, the reduction on Boone (102) has convinced the service technicians of the values of Versa-Tech reclosers. Improved performance on the line is a real, positive improvement for 21st century reliability requirements,” says Bridges. And while the co-op’s system-wide interruption indexes have gotten better in recent years, there is always room for improvement. To this end, Owen Electric also plans to use Versa Tech reclosers on its 10 worst performing feeders. Bridges explains, “Identifying and examining the worst 10 feeders is a pretty standard practice. The Kentucky Public Service Commission requires its co-ops to supply information on system performance, annually. If we are supplying the information, we might as well address the issues.” Owen Electric is currently examining the sectionalizing on its other hybrid feeders, which have both electronic and hydraulic reclosers, and eventually plans to replace all of its hydraulic units.

Owen Electric is located in Northern Kentucky and serves about 58,000 members. The Boone feeder stretches several miles out from the Boone substation. It has both single and three-phase conductors (12.47/7.2 kV, grounded Wye), with multiple taps branching off. The area is fairly hilly, rural and has lots of trees.

The Investigation James Bridges, VP of Engineering, explains, “At that time, we believed that trees might be causing the momentary outages, but we did not see any evidence that trees were in the lines. So, we carefully inspected the feeder and tried to take care of any issues that could be causing the problem. We went through the operation logs and met with our service technicians. We checked to see if we had bad lightning arresters or bad fused cutouts. Nothing remarkable was found.”

Owen Electric is also trying new coordination strategies by combining Versa-Tech reclosers with the new Hubbell PRS (programmable, resettable sectionalizers). The PRS is a sectionalizer that fits into a cutout body, replacing the fuse barrel.

As opposed to the earlier styles of PRS, the new version is programmable. “Historically, you would buy a hydraulic sectionalizer with a preprogrammed setting and a preprogrammed count. Now, we can program the setting and count values electronically. This greatly reduces our required sectionalizing device inventory,” says Bridges. Whether on the line or in combination with other devices, all recloser installations (new or replacement), since January 2012, have been Versa-Techs. Beyond operational improvements, there is a major advantage — reduced maintenance. ”With hydraulic reclosers, we have to periodically bring them back into the repair shop to performmaintenance. With the electronic Versa-Tech reclosers, the units remain in the field for their entire, useful lives,” says Bridges.

“Since we could not identify the cause, we decided to start from the beginning of the feeder and do a complete sectionalizing study. That led us to a solution,” continues Bridges.

The Boone feeder was a hybrid line: It had both oil filled and electronic reclosers, specifically Hubbell Power System’s Versa-Tech ® reclosers. “Our analysis showed that there were a significant number of simultaneous trips on the Versa-Techs and the hydraulic reclosers. So, we decided to replace the oil-filled units, making it an all-electronic feeder,” continues Bridges.

For more information on Hubbell Versa-Tech ® Reclosers, visit hubbellpowersystems.com/switching/dist/reclosers/.

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New alignment window in tools makes anchor hook up simple quick change ss anchor tools

are your seismic products a little shaky?

®

Cuts installation time, raises productivity • Ground crew positions anchor against window • Truck operator lowers tool onto anchor • Ground crew installs bent-arm pin and coil lock

Reduces finger pinch point risk

alignment window tools have Same catalog numbers • For use with locking dog adapters in 3 sizes for SS5/150/RR, SS175 and SS200 anchors • For direct bolt-up in 3 sizes for SS175, SS200 and SS225 anchors Plus: New design with Integral Locking Dogs • Locking dogs engage anchor, eliminate bent arm and coil lock • For direct bolt-up in 2 sizes for SS5/150/RR and SS175 anchors

For more details, see catalogs on all our anchoring products at hubbellpowersystems.com/catalogs/ anchoring/

Visit hubbellpowersystems.com/unshakable to see Hubbell Power Systems’ seismic-rated products hold their ground.

NEW DESIGN WITH INTEGRAL LOCKING DOGS

DIRECT BOLT-UP STYLE

The Etch A Sketch ® product name and configuration of the Etch A Sketch ® product are registered trademarks owned by The Ohio Art Company.

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Engage a Powerful NewEngine

Select/Search products by market, category, product number or competitor cross-reference

Create shareable lists of your favorite products

Hubbell Power Systems is proud to introduce HPS Select, an interactive product selector app.

View attributes of products with links to drawings and other spec related materials

Will this be available online? The app will not be available online. There are functionalities that only work in the mobile versions of the app. However, the eCat is still available online and we will be building out our newwebsite with some of the same capabilities as the mobile app. Howwill the app stay current? We will continue to improve the product information in the app and add some additional features, including converting our traditional selector wheels into digital tools. We are also considering additional list sharing capabilities. What is the future of HPS app development? Mobile app development is a new territory for HPS, but we see the potential it has for our customers and partners. Our goal is to provide our customers, distributors and their customers with the best tools to make their buying decisions easier, faster and more convenient. We see mobile app development as a way to bring added value as we continue to explore ways to anticipate the needs of our customers.

Whywas HPS Select created? HPS Select was created to provide our sales team, distributors and customers a mobile-friendly way to select, view and share our products in a fast and efficient way. What does HPS Select do? HPS Select allows you to browse products by markets, which include transmission, distribution, substation, communication, C&I and water. This app allows you to select products based on their most important/relevant attributes. You can also search products by product number. Once you find your favorite products, you can save them to lists for future reference. You can then share the list with a colleague or sales representative. You can also search our competitor cross-reference by competitor’s product number to find HPS’ comparable product. Where can I get HPS Select? HPS Select is available for iPad, iPhone and Android tablets and phones through the Apple App Store and the Google Play store.

Now available for download

Select products based on most important/relevant attributes

Search sales contacts by territory/category

Includes all of our product categories

We'd love to hear your feedback about the HPS Select mobile app! Send us your thoughts at hpsselect@hubbellpowersystems.uservoice.com or mnalsup@hubbell.com.

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lineman's s lang d i ct i onary revamped

Decode line crew lingo | Become an instant insider | Put some fun into hard work Two ways to suggest terms we'll consider adding to the next edition: fill out the form at hpsapps.com/survey/slangsurvey.asp or mail in the form in the current booklet

coordination optimal system with three-phase sectionalizing

Hubbell Power Systems' presents the new 3-Phase Programmable Resettable Sectionalizer. Features: • Coordinates 3-phase operation with recloser or breaker • Smart: discriminates temporary from permanent faults • Logs up to 40 events (operations, fault current, line blinks) • Simplified programming calculates settings based on upstream reclosing device

For more information, visit hubbellpowersystems.com/catalogs/switching/

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RPX ® ADSS Cable suspension clamp design

1

4 Tell me a little bit about your current role in Hubbell Power Systems.

What were your greatest technical challenges on this project and how did you overcome them?

I am a New Product Development Engineer for Communication OSP hardware. My role is to take a new communication product idea from concept to production.

innovative

The greatest technical challenge was protecting the bending radius of the fiber. Because of the oval ADSS cable construction, it was very important that the cable lay flat in the clamp without exceeding its bending radius. We overcame this challenge with the funnel shape of the clamp. The funnels keep the cable from going beyond a 20 degree bend on both sides. While this is not an extremely difficult problem to address, our concept resulted in a reduction in installation time and cost in addition to solving the problem of the bending radius. This clamp went through five iterations before a suitable design met those requirements What advice do you have for interacting with customers and industry experts for collecting technical information you need for developing a new product? It is imperative to try to understand what is essential to the customer and to place yourself in their position. If you try to attack a project without fully understanding their needs, you will create unnecessary obstacles that delay progress. Also, never be afraid to pioneer an innovative solution. HPS is always pushing its engineers to be creative.

2

Hubbell recently released a new product, RPX ® Suspension clamp. Tell me a what makes this clamp unique.

Q& Awith JoshWilson

engineering

The RPX ® Suspension Clamp is specifically designed for a certain proprietary ADSS cable. Due to the cable’s unique design, certain issueshadtobeaddressedforoptimumfiberperformance. The best part about this clamp is it addresses all the cable’s needswith the least amount of hardwarepossible. Thisdecreases installation time which, in turn, decreases cost. The clamp is also designed to protect the cable from operator error, specifically over torque, a major problem in the field. To verify that the clamp would perform as intended, it was subjected to several tests. First, everything was simulated in CAD to assure success of the design. Once satisfied, we developed prototypes. These prototypes were subject to tensile tests to measure when the cable would begin to slip, and IEEE 1222 aeolian & galloping vibration testing. All tests included optical testing as well to verify that the optical performance was not affected in any way. For our powder-coated version of the clamp, we tested the coating and how it was affected in the event of an arch from a distribution line. The clamp passed all tests to our satisfaction, but more importantly, the satisfaction of the customer. 3 Tell me a little bit about the testing to verify the clamp’s performance.

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What inspired you to become an engineer?

I have always had a desire to learn how things worked and why they worked the way they did, so physics and math were always my favorite subjects in school. The older I got, the more I wanted to make things work better. Around 15, I really got into cars and helping friends restore and fix their own. Once college came around, I knew I wanted to be in a position where I could be creative and influence others to be creative. Also, Mythbusters was a huge motivation throughout this period as well.

Never be afraid to pioneeer an innovative solution. HPS is always pushing its engineers to be creative.

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What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?

When I’m not working, I enjoy being with my wife, hanging out with friends from church, travelling, and just trying adventurous new things. Most importantly, I enjoy helping others with what- ever they need. Life is about people and not stuff and that is what I try to keep as my focal point every day.

RPX ® is a registered trademark of the Corning Cable Systems brand.

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A Baker’s Dozen tips for Installing Underground Separable Connectors

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2A

2B

Wire brush conductors before inserting them into the compression barrels.

Terminate the metallic shield as close to the separable connector as possible, do not expose more of the semi-con than is recommended.

Ensure cutback dimensions are accurate and all cuts are square.

Do not nick or cut the shield, insulation, or conductor when preparing the cable. Can lead to over-heating and dielectric failure.

2C

3A

3B

Do not remove the inhibitor from compression barrels, it is there to help break up the oxide film and improve current transfer. separate during thermal cycling and leave stuck elbows. 5 6 7 8 it yields indicating proper torque has been applied. 9 10 11 12 Use the correct tool and die and make the recommended number of crimps when installing the compression connector. Rotate successive indents 90° or 180° to prevent distortion. Do not apply lubricant to the probe or compression lug threads. Use supplied lubricant or Hubbell SL150 (5oz tube) other lubricants may Do not use silicone oil on separable connectors. Keep follower tip clean and hand-tighten the probe into the lug to prevent cross-threading. Tighten the probe with supplied wrench until

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6A

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6B

Align spade contact with bushing before crimping. Do not attempt to correct misalignment by twisting the contact. Can birdcage the conductor and lead to overheating.

Oil is for permanent installations such as splices and live-front terminators.

Follow the directions, recommended work practices, and be safe. 13

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Visit the literature storefront to order the new cable accessories catalogs

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HUBBELL CABLE ACCESSORIES |

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Hubbell TIPS & NEWS is published to inform personnel of electric utilities and associated companies of new ideas and techniques in electric utility and communication practices. The magazine, under different titles and formats, has been published since 1932. Your suggestions, editorial or photographic contributions are invited and may be submitted to HPSliterature@hubbell.com. TIPS NEWS & ®

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VOL. 17 No. 3 | October 2013

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