Line specialists are caretakers of 1,400-mile system

Hoosier Energy’s transmission network includes some 1,400 miles of high-voltage line cutting through 48 central and southern Indiana counties.

Maintaining this system covering more than 15,000 square miles and strung over more than 20,000 wood poles is a continuous, year-round project.

Care of the transmission lines lies largely in the hands of Hoosier Energy’s crews of line specialists.

The line crews work out of four work center locations. Five line specialists stationed at the Napoleon primary station in Ripley County handle the eastern sector. A four-member crew at the English primary tends the southern sector. Four more line specialists in Petersburg are responsible for southwestern portions of the systems. A crew of four based in Worthington works in the western sector.

The crews are available to help each other out in emergencies and on major projects. They also work closely with substation, communications and meter/relay crews.

Poles and line structures are inspected on a regular cycle. Each section of transmission line is walked every three years so line specialists can assess each structure. Walk patrols are supplemented with periodic aerial inspections by helicopter.

Power Delivery Manager Phil Johnson stresses the importance of a comprehensive maintenance program throughout the delivery system. “Continuity of service is no better than your system maintenance. Power plants, substations and lines all need regular maintenance to be reliable and dependable,” he said.

Maintenance isn’t limited to poles. The lines and hardware on the structures must be inspected and maintained. Crossarm braces and weather-resistant poletops are added when necessary.

Line specialists replace 600 to 800 insulators each year due to vandalism, breaking or cracking. Glass insulators are replaced with polymer devices that cannot be easily broken by gunshot vandalism.

The line crews also assist with radio-controlled and manual switches. Switches receive a complete service once or twice a year.