APS Operations in Your Community: Keeping the Lights On

If you've spent a summer in Arizona, you know there is nothing else quite like it. With its stifling heat and severe monsoon storms, getting through our "hot" months can take some getting used to.

It also takes some preparation.

At APS, we work hard to ensure reliable electricity all year long (and especially in the summer) and pride ourselves on our emergency preparedness and our timely response to outages and other service interruptions.

"We prepare our resources and train our crews for ten months of the year to be ready for the other two months," said Thomas Friddle, APS Manager of Distribution Operations. "Summer is our busiest time in terms of storm-related repairs and other maintenance, but we stay ready. In fact, APS is one of the only utilities in the country to pre-frame utility poles in anticipation of pole damage during storms. This way we can sometimes shave as much as 30 percent off of our restoration time during monsoon season."

APS stays ahead of summer storms and their damage by pre-framing utility poles at a facility in Goodyear. On any given day, more than 1,400 poles lay neatly stacked, all inventoried, identified and marked for various jobs. APS will use more than 10,000 poles this year alone.

APS takes measures to ensure system reliability such as conducting line patrols of all the company's overhead facilities. In addition, APS' award-winning Vegetation Management Department trims thousands of trees and other vegetation around power lines both in urban settings and across the state's power line corridors to lessen the possibility of outages caused by trees coming in contact with lines. By clearing the power line corridors, company crews are removing fuel for advancing wildfires and creating an area for fire suppression operations to occur.

The company cycles its maintenance schedule on all its underground facilities and other equipment to help prevent outages. APS Operations personnel also participate in drills with local fire and emergency agencies to prepare for contingencies, said Friddle.

With about 35,000 new customers each year, APS has been experiencing a tremendous growth in its customer base. This growth means the company must maintain its current equipment and must also build new equipment. APS has been averaging 10 new substations per year for the past five years. Typically one substation serves about 25,000 customers.

All this preparation really pays off.

APS customers experience less than one outage per year. APS targets feeders and equipment with a lower reliability rating for repairs and replacement.

"Staying on top of our equipment benefits everyone. It's good for the company and it reduces inconveniences for our customers," said Friddle.

What is the best way to help minimize the extent of outages?

"Call us," said Friddle. "The more calls we get on an outage the easier it is for us to pinpoint it and get crews on the scene, and get the repair effort underway."

APS customers can report an outage 24-hours-a-day at (602) 371-7171 in the Phoenix area or (800) 253-9405.

Outage Tips: What to do in the event of an outage
Now you know some of the things APS does to minimize outages. But what can you do to help APS and yourself in the event an outage does occur?

APS wants to offer you some tips on things to do around the house in case of an emergency or storm-related power outage:

• First check fuses or the circuit box to determine if the outage is isolated to your location.
• Unplug or turn off all major appliances, such as air-conditioning and dishwashers to avoid a power surge when the electricity comes back on.
• Unplug voltage-sensitive appliances such as home computers and other electronic equipment to prevent damage to your appliances. Use surge suppressors to help protect electronic equipment.
• Leave on a few lights so you can tell when the electricity has been restored.
• Keep refrigerators or freezer doors closed. If the refrigerator gets above 40 degrees or the food is warm do not consume it.
• Food in a filled freezer will stay frozen for two days and in a half-full freezer one day. Also keep in mind that pork, poultry, fish and hamburger will go bad if the temperature goes above 40 degrees.
• Make sure to have several flashlights and a battery-operated radio in a spot that is easy to find. Store water and non-perishable canned foods.

To report an outage, dial (602) 371-7171 in the Phoenix area, or (800) 253-9405.

Summer Storm Tips
According to weather experts, the dew point - the temperature to which air must be cooled for saturation to occur or the temperature at which dew or frost will form - must reach 57 degrees for three consecutive days for the monsoon season to occur.  Late June through September is monsoon season in Arizona.

These summer storms pack high winds, blowing dust, spectacular lightning displays and occasionally, torrential rains. While nature's fury is exciting to watch, these storms can pose dangers from lightning strikes and downed power lines, and can interrupt electric service.

Here are some ways to be prepared and stay safe during monsoon season:

• Use surge suppressors to help protect electronic equipment.
• Store non-perishable foods such as cereals, canned fruits and breads.
• Always stay away from downed power lines; treat them as if they were energized. Never assume that a fallen wire is safe.
• Never try to remove someone trapped by a downed power line. When you see someone in need of help mmediately call 911.
• During lightning storms, avoid taking a bath or shower or running water because metal pipes can conduct electricity. Also, stay off the telephone.

APS wants you to remain safe and comfortable during these storms and to be prepared in the event of an electrical outage. Knowing what to do and what not to do during these storms can help you weather the monsoon season safely. Visit the APS Outage Center on our home page for more helpful tips and information.

Lightning safety

Summer storms are often accompanied by lightning, which poses a hazard whether you are indoors or out. Stay safe by following these tips from the Lightning Protection Institute.

Outdoors

If you're caught outside and cannot get to a safe shelter:

• Get in a hard-topped car 
• Avoid areas that are higher than the surrounding landscape 
• Keep away from metal objects including bikes, golf carts, fencing, etc.   
• If you feel a tingling sensation or your hair stands on end, lightning may be about to strike. Immediately crouch down, put your feet as close together as you can and cover your ears. Do not lie down or place your hands on the ground

Indoors

Lightning creates a magnetic field that radiates out and can be picked up by electrical wires and plumbing, even if it doesn't actually strike your home.

• Stand clear from windows, doors and electrical appliances   
• Unplug appliances well before a storm nears   

Downed power lines

Always stay away from downed power lines; treat them as if they were energized. Never assume that a fallen wire is safe.

If a power line hits your car when you're in it, stay in the vehicle. Try to attract help by blowing the horn and remain calmly in the vehicle until help arrives. Keep others away as well.

If your vehicle catches fire and you must leave, jump and land with both feet together, being careful not to touch the vehicle and ground at the same time.

Reporting a power outage

You can report a power outage and get outage status information through APS' automated phone system. Make sure there is no danger of a lightning strike before picking up the phone, and when you call, be prepared to give your APS account number and phone number.

To report an outage, dial (602) 371-7171 in the Phoenix area, or (800) 253-9405.

Taking Care of Customers and the Environment  

It's not just equipment failure and monsoon storms that cause power outages. Our furry and feathered friends tend to get into the act as well. That's why APS developed an extensive Wildlife Management Plan to protect indigenous wildlife while helping to maintain the integrity of our company's electrical transmission system.

From heavily populated urban areas, to rural communities, APS builds and maintains more than 32,000 miles of electric lines in Arizona - lines which run through the natural habitats of several species of indigenous birds of prey, or raptors. These include eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, vultures and condors.

Raptors are characteristically opportunistic birds and are naturally drawn to power poles because they offer a dominant place to perch, roost, nest, hunt and feed, and sense air currents. However, the large wingspans of raptors make them vulnerable to injury by the electricity being carried on the power lines. Electrocution occurs when a bird completes a circuit by either touching two energized parts or lines or by simultaneously touching an energized or grounded part or line.

Animal contacts with power lines are a significant source of power outages. Nationwide, animals are the third-leading identifiable cause of all power outages. Secondary to power outages, these incidents can result in prairie and forest fires. A key component of the APS Wildlife Management Plan is to minimize instances of electrical contacts on the company's electrical lines and other dangerous high-voltage equipment.

To that end, APS retrofits poles and towers with special equipment aimed at keeping raptors and other animals from making contact with the energized lines.

APS recently joined U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials and representatives of Liberty Wildlife to host a workshop for Arizona utilities on the importance of raptor protection.

One of the workshop's objectives was to promote awareness for avian protection, but a major focus of the workshop was to allow other utilities to learn from APS' program.

"A lot of other utilities don't even know how to start a program," said former Liberty Wildlife Operation Director Anne Steinmetz. "APS really has taken a leadership position in the industry by explaining what works in establishing and running a successful program. They said what went right and talked about the challenges they had to overcome not only to be in compliance with the law but to really protect and nurture a natural resource."