Hubbell Power Systems Blog

When talking with folks in the field, you often hear comments about how having the right tool can make all the difference. For underground enclosures, covers can make the difference. From longevity, to performance, to ease of getting in and out of the enclosure. Hubbell offers a variety of enclosures and cover options to fit many applications, including our new lightweight SMC enclosure covers for the PenCell DT style enclosures.

Temporary protective ground sets are one of the most important pieces of personal protective equipment line workers use while performing de-energized and grounded line maintenance. To maintain the integrity of the ground sets while in service, Hubbell Power Systems recommends testing ground sets to ASTM F2249 at least once annually and performing a visual inspection before each use.

Utility brackets for distribution lines are primarily used in two ways. One is for conductor support and the second is to mount equipment, like cutouts and arresters. Because of their constant outdoor exposure, they face challenging conditions including bright sun with blistering UV rays, fires, fierce storms, and wildlife damage. To mitigate some of these concerns, some traditionally-wood distribution products, such as brackets, are now being offered in fiberglass. Here are four advantages of choosing fiberglass brackets:

Locating technicians must go through several steps to do a locate or trace. First, they open up an enclosure to isolate each wire from ground. Then they remove each grounding harness, so they can listen to find the line. However, the process of reassembling creates the potential for new problems. Nuts can get lost, bonds become loose, or harnesses can end up unattached.  

Whose part is that anyway? No one likes having to mix and match parts to complete a job. Relying on one trusted source for all components of an underground installation makes your life easier, saves time and money during purchasing, plus potentially reduces ongoing maintenance when everything works together properly.

Wildfires continue to devastate portions of the western United States, Australia and other regions across the world. These disasters can be attributed to a variety of factors. Utility companies, in turn, are working to minimize the fire risk posed by overhead lines.

Every application is different, but they often have something in common with other applications. We normally consider helical guy anchor performance in different types of soil, but different underwater applications can also impact the service life of guy anchors.

When is a roadway like a bridge? Any underground structure or enclosure essentially functions like a small bridge when placed in or near a roadway. The H20 specification (pronounced H-twenty), designed for highway bridges, functions in this application. Enclosures that meet H20 are great for settings that experience vehicular traffic such as loading zones, parking facilities or roadside utilities.

Protect your network and safely secure Multiple Service Terminals (MST) within enclosures. Our new innovative design improves accessibility for simplified diagnosis, saving you time and money.

In many cases, a line worker is faced with several daily tasks which require them to use a single-point-of-contact voltage detector. With a variety of options on the market, knowing which type to use for a project can be challenging. Hubbell Power Systems' CHANCE® Tools brand offers a wide variety of voltage detectors. When using a voltage detector, it is critical to always use a proper length hotstick that complies with company and OSHA-mandated minimum approach distances (MAD). Rubber insulating gloves should never be used as the only form of PPE when using a voltage detector.

Brief History of Materials Used in High Voltage Insulator Construction

As the power grid continued its expansion in the latter part of the 19^th century, it became even more critical to safely and effectively insulate the high voltage lines from its surroundings. Telegraph lines had been supported primarily by glass insulators for decades, but these same glass insulators weren’t sufficient for high voltage power lines. Similar in its ceramic nature, but more durable in its construction, porcelain became the primary material for high voltage insulator construction.

MOV, or metal-oxide varistor, surge arresters are widely applied to protect critical utility equipment and improve grid reliability. Surge arresters come in various designs to protect distribution, transmission and substation assets. The characteristics of the surge arrester are customized to meet the varying requirements of each application. IEEE and IEC standards govern the minimum requirements for all surge arresters, however other characteristics must be considered to meet Hubbell’s demanding quality standards.

There are numerous traits that ensure the quality and longevity of MOV surge arresters. Five key characteristics tend to overshadow others. These include:

During line work, it is commonplace for lines to be de-energized and grounded for worker protection in the event there is a fault current, which could be due to a variety of issues. In this blog, we will look at some common misconceptions about temporary personal protective grounding.

If you have ever driven along a river, the ocean, or a large lake and come across a massive, imposing, messy stick nest on a distribution or transmission power line, chances are you are looking at a nest of an osprey. These large raptors (birds of prey) with a global distribution are well-adapted to specialize on small to large sized fish. They nest along fish-bearing waterbodies - historically in the tops of broken tree snags, but as power poles became common across the landscape, they became valuable real estate for nesting osprey, particularly those near water.  

Hubbell | Greenjacket Inc. is pleased to announce that it has received permission to distribute a white paper entitled, "Under the Covers: Investigating Animal Mitigation Covers and Infrared Thermography" by Jay Bowen and Will Bauer on the issue of IR Scanning of electrical equipment while it is protected by cover-up.