General

Infrequent repair requires quick refresher for line technicians

Approximately two dozen OPPD line technicians went back to school last week to brush up on how to install spacer cable.

The continuing education took place at OPPD’s Elkhorn Service Center and involved teaching line technicians about the equipment.

Spacer cable is utilized in areas that have heavy tree coverage, in areas with narrow easements, along alleys and long open stretches. The equipment pulls the power lines closer together without letting them touch. This way they are less impacted by falling tree limbs, wind or other interference.

Spacer cable can have a long life, up to 40 or 50 years. Crews replace them as they fail. Sometimes, personnel with the knowledge to repair them have retired before the cables need to be replaced. That’s where training like last week’s comes in.

Below is a photo gallery from last week’s training of the line technicians learning the technique.