NSTAR repairs failed undersea cable

NSTAR contractors completed repair work Friday on a failed cable that carries electrical power under Vineyard Sound to Martha's Vineyard. The location of the fault was in the shipping channel.

"With the damaged section of cable on the barge, Caldwell Marine workers cut back to where there was no sign of water infiltration and then spliced in a new piece," NSTAR spokesman Mike Durand told The Times in an email Monday.  "The cable repairs are complete and we returned the cable to service on Friday."

In early July, one of four submarine NSTAR power cables from Falmouth to Martha's Vineyard failed, causing brief power outages across the Island. Another cable is permanently out of service and due to be replaced.

With two of the Vineyard's four electrical umbilical cords out, NSTAR added generators in order to meet increased summer demand.

NSTAR currently maintains five permanent diesel generators to supplement power provided by cable. The utility transported eight temporary generators to the Island before the start of the summer. Following the cable failure, it added seven more generators.

Two cables cross Vineyard Sound and land on shore at West Chop in Tisbury. Two other cables land at Eastville in Oak Bluffs.

NSTAR is currently in the process of installing an approximately 4.5-mile long hybrid fiber optic and electric cable across the sound. New utility poles that have generated considerable controversy will carry the new line.

2013/08/28 08:40:05 Source：Mvtimes

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login