Scattered clouds streaked through an otherwise clear sky on a recent chilly morning in Frederick County. No rain was expected, and only nine Rappahannock Electric Cooperative members lost power all day long. As they do each day, REC crews loaded their trucks in the morning and rolled out with a goal of making life better for members. A recent reliability project in this area demonstrated the work crews perform – even on blue-sky days – to keep the electric system strong.
Minimizing Outages in Middletown
REC recently identified a two-mile section of Route 11 in Middletown as a High
Reliability Zone (HRZ), a section of the circuit from the substation to the first down-line
protective device. Protecting that main circuit significantly reduces outages farther down the
lines.
In identifying an HRZ, REC considers such criteria as the number of outages on the circuit, the number of members served and critical members such as hospitals and schools along that line. At the recent worksite, for instance, both Lord Fairfax Community College and
Middletown Elementary School were within a short distance, as are several industrial businesses.
As part of their work in the area, crews are replacing dozens of crossarms
and insulators. They also are setting new poles as needed.
“It gives us more strength and stability on the system for members, and it gives our crews more clearance from conductors so it’s safer for them,” said Gary Garrett, a lead lineman in REC’s Blue Ridge office. Each work zone has its challenges, Garrett noted. Along Route 11, for instance, REC had to coordinate with VDOT in some spots as crews worked alongside the road due to deep mud in the rights of way.
