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Community Heroes Series
From the
July 2006 issue of Alabama Living magazine
On the Job
with the TEC Crew
Article
by Kay Marshall
Ever wonder what happens when a substation’s transformer goes bad? Come along with me and join your TEC crew as they replace a one-ton transformer at the Guin Substation.
When I walked into the TEC office at 8:30 AM, Member Services Manager, James Scott was ready and waiting with a can of bug spray and a hard hat. Within a matter of minutes we arrived at the Guin Substation where a group of various crews were already in place to remove and replace a blown transformer at the back of the substation. This particular substation powers over two thousand TEC members, so the men were eager to get the job underway and completed.
Among them was a crane-crew from Jefferson County who would be operating the heavy machinery that was needed to lift the bad transformer up and over power lines and onto a truck that would take it to be refurbished. If the unit can be repaired, it will become a backup for other units at the substation.
Before the process could begin the power crews and crane crews met to go over the exact planned sequence of events. Such meticulousness is a primary reason that TEC has maintained a four-year straight no-loss-time record. What an accomplishment for our Co-op!
This particular day was the first extremely hot day of the summer, and by 9:00 AM the sun was already beading sweat on many brows. These men, used to working in extreme temperature and weather conditions, are well-prepared for harsh climes and each truck carries cases of water and rehydration drinks. Safety First is their motto.
 As the pre-job meeting concluded, Scott explained that every man on the TEC crew had a particular job, and it usually involved waiting their turn to do it. I found the process orderly, precise, and done with great care and respect for the substation and all of its mechanics.
As the crane crew worked on leveling their equipment for the hoist, the TEC crew noticed a section of copper switches that needed lubricating, and new plans were made toward that unexpected task.
As others went about their job, Engineer Mark Carden phoned in a request to shut down power on the grid as lineman Craig Barnes stood ready at the switch.
As power was shutdown an electric arc flashed across the copper connectors, signaling that the grid was not live. The crew then made a final check to ensure that power was indeed off, and that it was completely safe to work on the lines.
The first order of business was to lift the replacement transformer and move it into the interior of the substation to await its final position. With that task complete the bucket crew went to work on the copper switches. Other men took down the ground wire to make the hoist over the substation less hazardous.
When the TEC crewmen completed their maintenance work the replacement transformer was fitted with four steel cables that were attached to the crane. Slowly it lifted up and over the entire substation and was aligned with the empty space on the back row.
As crew physically handled the air born unit into place TEC Operations Manager, Barry Spiller guided the transformer into place with an electrical hot stick and the dangerous job was completed successfully.
The TEC crew, foremen, and department manager’s all worked as a strong and competent team.
As with all power repairs, time is of the essence, and TEC’s greatest desire is to never inconvenience their consumers.
For planned/unscheduled short-term outages such as this, announcements are placed on radio, but not mailed out. For planned/scheduled outages your TEC office will mail a notice to you so that you can prepare to be without power during the specified hours.
As a fascinated observer, I came away with a new respect for the hard-working TEC crews who brave the various elements and do their jobs without fanfare. They methodically tend to a resource that most of us take for granted each and every day - electricity.
Power is harnessed carefully and respectfully by a most-qualified and diligent crew.
While we all hate to have our power out for any period of time, I know that I will personally now have a greater appreciation, and more patience, for the men and staff who service and maintain the power to my home.
Let your TEC employees know how much you appreciate their hard-work and commitment to you, the next time you see them!
Kay
Marshall is the Internet Projects Coordinator and Editor for TEC |
