Vector Network News

Vector Network News

Vector’s commitment to health and safety was demonstrated again this week when staff volunteered their expertise and time to speak with balloonists in Hamilton over the weekend.

After the tragic ballooning accident in Carterton earlier this year, Vector wanted to ensure that as many balloonists as possible were aware of how to safely work around electrical assets. Working closely with BAANZ (Balloon Aviation Association of New Zealand), all pilots, crew chiefs and crews were invited, with the session videotaped for Wairarapa members.

Other topics covered were who to call when lines were down, what to do when live lines are struck and other safety measures.

NETWORKS SUMMARY for Week Commencing 23 July 2012

ELECTRICITY

• A very wet but mild start to the week in Auckland saw the number of car v pole incidents ramp up before dropping back later in the week. A total of ten incidents including seven car v poles, along with two cases where trucks brought down lines. In other incidents, traffic lights were knocked down by vehicles and then fell onto lines in Te Papa and Greenlane; in Henderson, a burst water main flooded one of our transformers and had to be shut down and bamboo blew onto lines in Oratia. Faults crews attended one house fire in Massey to isolate the power supply for fire personnel. Sunday’s storm produced two weather related outages; one in Takanini and one in Glen Eden/Oratia. Both were as a result of trees coming down on lines.

GAS TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

• There were four gas incidents this week; faults crews were called out to suspected gas leaks in Papatoetoe, Parnell, Ellerslie and the city. Contractors tested and could find no trace of gas on each occasion. Please take care around our gas network and call 0508 B4 U WORK (248 967) or 0800 B4 U DIG if outside Auckland.

METERING

• Meter deployment continues at a steady pace.

PROJECTS UPDATE

· Work is underway on the Waverley/Airedale Street project. The project will replace the electrical cables that reinforce the power supply in the CBD area, making sure that customers continue to receive a secure power supply.

The existing 11kV cables are being replaced with more powerful 22kV cables in the Waverley and Airedale Street area, which is in line with Vector’s long term plan to transfer load from the 11kV to the 22kV distribution network in the CBD.

The project involves digging trenches within the road, installing ducts and then laying the new cables within those ducts. Older electrical equipment will be replaced before the resurfacing of the road in the final stage of the project.

On-site generators will be used in order to maintain power supply throughout the project. Waverley Street will not be available to through traffic; however, there are plans in place to make sure that access to the building is not affected and pedestrians will still be able to walk past the work sites. Steel sheets over trenches allows access at all times and if any access way or driveway is affected, residents and business owners will be contacted before the work begins.

The Airedale section has been completed, with only road reinstatement outstanding. Work on the Waverley section should be started by next week. (Photos available)

SHORTS

• Vector owns over 17,737 kilometres of overhead and underground lines in the greater Auckland area, and 12,572 kilometres of gas pipe lines, with almost half supplying gas to Auckland.

• Vector welcomes The Smashing Pumpkins to Auckland on Saturday 4 August. Vector, proud sponsor of the Arena.

ENDS

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