SRP Cable Replacement
SRP’s Cable Replacement department was created to maintain and improve the underground distribution system. This underground cable network provides power between SRP equipment and our customers.
Maintaining our underground distribution system
As direct buried SRP underground cable ages, it often needs to be repaired or replaced to ensure reliable service. When an underground cable faults, crews remove the faulted section of the cable and replace it with a splice. In areas where significant fault activity occurs, SRP will replace the direct buried underground cable rather than make repairs.
The culprit of a power outage: a direct-buried cable fault
Underground cable history
1960s
In the 1960s, as an alternative to using overhead wires, SRP began to directly bury electrical conductor underground. Over time, exposure to the elements caused it to deteriorate, creating a rise in the number of cable failures in the system.
1990s
In the mid-1990s, SRP moved away from installing direct buried underground cable and began installing cable in an all-rigid conduit system. At the same time, SRP’s Cable Replacement department was created to address the needs of the aging direct buried underground distribution system.
Design and construction
Based on customer power outage data, engineers are made aware of the need for intervention and can begin the process of replacing cable.
First, SRP’s Engineering team creates a job based on the data collected. Once Engineering has initiated a project, the SRP design team then finds the safest route for a new conductor that will have the least impact and disruption to customers in the area. They then obtain any necessary permits or easements to build the job.
Conduit installation of spooled-duct conduit into the "bore shot"
Installation
The installation of new conduit for cable occurs in two phases: conduit construction and placement of the electrical lines through the conduit. SRP contracts with civil construction contractors who perform the trenching and boring which allows SRP to then place electrical cable through the conduit.
The primary method of installing conduit and cable replacement is to drill, or bore, holes horizontally along the new intended path and then pull the conduit through these horizontal bores. Boring reduces the impact to the area by eliminating the need to trench.
A bore machine in action
When boring isn’t feasible due to hard soil conditions or confined spaces, an open trench is created along the intended path. The team then places hard-stick conduit inside the open trench, appropriately backfills the trench and repairs any surfaces disrupted during the process.
Open trench with hard-stick conduit
With the conduit system complete, Cable Replacement line crews can pull wire through the conduits and complete the required electrical work at each SRP location. Cable Replacement helps provide a modern distribution system that is more reliable, protected and easier to maintain.
FAQ
In most cases, it’s due to easements and the inability to access property where needed.
An easement grants SRP the legal right to have equipment on your property. It does not mean we own that section of property. It just covers our right to be there.
Sometimes outages are caused by overhead lines going out or a buried conductor failing miles away.
Large cable replacement jobs have a lot of moving parts. Most jobs get scheduled for construction months in advance. A lot of research goes into ensuring safe and reliable construction, especially in dense urban areas.
Usually, no. The crews can build the job in a way that minimizes outages. If there is a planned outage, then SRP will alert the impacted customers ahead of time. If there is an unplanned outage, crews respond quickly to fix it.
Lanes might be closed, but we never block anyone’s access to their business or home without coordinating with them first.
RELATED TOPICS
Grid management and improvement projects | SRP
Discover the major power plants and generating facilities SRP is planning and constructing to provide reliable energy for the Valley’s future.
Future plan for energy | SRP
Ensuring that the Valley’s energy future remains reliable requires energy experts and communities working together. Learn about SRP’s energy plan for the future.
Managing water and drought in the Arizona desert | SRP
Learn about SRP water management in the Greater Phoenix area and how we're building a water supply that’s drought-proof for generations to come.