Time/Frequency of Customer Interruptions and pole standards
Westar invests in projects and equipment to improve the electric network across our service territory. Such programs and projects ensure that our customers receive reliable electric service for many years to come.
Investing in our distribution system has lead to an overall reduction in the number of outages and the duration of outages in recent years. In 2010 and 2011, the numbers are up because of an increase in storm-related activity.
Duration of customer outages
Frequency that customers experience outages
Pole and line standards
- All overhead distribution pole line installations are designed to meet the
IEEE National Electrical Safety Code's Grade C construction standards.
Grade C is the common national standard for distribution electric circuits.
Following the December 2007 ice storm, we analyzed the design of our 34.5 KV system. 34.5 KV pole line installations are now designed to meet NESC Grade B construction.
Grade B is typically reserved for large transmission line construction (69 KV and up).