Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
PECO has installed some new equipment it hopes will prevent power outages.
As part of its $500 million upgrade project, PECO has completed more than 315 projects in Bucks, Chester, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia and York counties this year.
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Utility crews have installed 11,000 feet of reinforced tree-resistant aerial electric lines since 2014. The new lines are stronger than traditional power lines and can better withstand falling trees or their limbs.
Along with the power lines, PECO has continued to trim vegetation, according to a spokesman. The utility provider plans to spend $36 million in 2015 to prune and cut down vegetation that may threaten its infrastructure.
New aerial reclosers have also been installed throughout the region. Over 1,600 reclosers have been installed. PECO explains how the reclosers work:
When a problem occurs, like a fallen tree limb, lightning strike or vehicle accident, the recloser stops the flow of electricity on the line and automatically restores electricity if possible.
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“These projects are critical to providing our customers with safe and reliable service every day,” John McDonald, vice president of PECO’s Technical Services division, said.
PECO has been criticized throughout Lower Bucks County in recent years due to several large outages.
