Negros Power Welcomes Arrival of 8 Automatic Circuit Reclosers: A Step Towards Enhanced Reliability

automatic circuit reclosers - ACR - Negros Power - NEPC - Bacolod City- Central Negros - What ACRs do

In a recent press conference, Negros Power announced the arrival of eight (8) Automatic Circuit Reclosers (ACRs) as part of its commitment to improving the reliability of the power supply in Negros Occidental. NEPC President Mr. Roel Castro highlighted the significance of this technology and how it will help prevent inconveniences for consumers.

Read: Timely Solutions: NEPC’s 5-Year Development Plan for Negros Occidental

What Are Automatic Circuit Reclosers?

Automatic Circuit Reclosers (ACRs) are advanced devices designed to automatically detect and respond to temporary faults in the electrical distribution system. When a fault occurs, ACRs can briefly interrupt the flow of electricity. However, if the issue is momentary, ACRs restore the power automatically. This reduces the duration of outages and minimizes the need for manual intervention.

Understanding Faults in the Power Line

Mr. Castro explained that momentary issues cause 90-98% of faults on the line. Examples of such are tree branches or animals touching power lines. In the past, when such a situation arose, the protective equipment would shut off the power to prevent damage. If Negros Power were aware of the interruption, it would dispatch a crew immediately to investigate the issue. However, if the team was not notified, they relied on consumers to call the hotline and report the problem.

Negros Power President and CEO Roel Z. Castro explained what an ACR is and how it is going to help Bacolod City and Central Negros during a press conference. Pictured here with Ms. Maria Cecilia Pe, VP for Consumer Care.

Once the crew arrives on-site, they manually trace the fault. They often face challenges in troubleshooting if feeders have power lines stretched over significant distances. Identifying the cause takes time, which prolongs the outage for consumers.

How ACRs Improve Service

The introduction of ACRs changes this dynamic. Negros Power will use ACRs to sectionalize very long power lines. By doing this, when a fault occurs in one section, only that section will experience an outage rather than the entire feeder. If a branch makes contact with a power line, the ACR will momentarily disconnect the power. The ACR will also automatically restore the supply if the fault is resolved. This automation eliminates the need for manual intervention, significantly reducing the waiting time for consumers.

What to Expect

Consumers need to understand that there might be brief power interruptions lasting about five seconds as the ACRs perform their function. This is a normal part of the process and indicates that the ACR is doing its job effectively.

If the power shuts off and restores in five seconds, there’s no need for alarm.

However, if the ACR detects that there is still something causing a fault after restoring power, it will shut off again. This time, the system will remain off for 80 seconds. If the issue persists after 80 seconds, it means manual intervention is required. The ACR will shut off the system for a third time until a crew has resolved the problem.

Negros Power, NEPC, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, electricity, power, distribution utility, brownouts, unscheduled power interruptions, trip off, main line, brownouts, unscheduled brownouts, consumer, Philippines, ACR, automatic circuit reclosers, 5-year development plan, electricity modernization
Mr. Castro explains how they would divide the power lines into sections with the help of the automatic circuit recloser (ACR) so that when there is an interruption, the number of affected consumers would be reduced.

Looking Ahead

The arrival of these ACRs marks a significant milestone for Negros Power in its mission to enhance service reliability and efficiency. With this proactive approach, the company is taking essential steps to minimize outages and ensure a more dependable power supply for the residents of Negros Occidental.

As these advancements are implemented, consumers can look forward to fewer disruptions and a more stable energy network that meets the growing demands of the community. Negros Power appreciates the understanding and support of its consumers as it works towards a better and more reliable electricity service.

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