For Immediate Release
2004-09-24
For further information contact:
Jim Keech, President and CEO, 546-1181, extension 2226
UTILITIES KINGSTON TRACKS CAUSE OF DOWNTOWN POWER OUTAGES
Utilities Kingston has completed a thorough investigation of the electrical system following two power outages that
affected customers primarily in the downtown core Sept. 10 and 21.
"The first outage appeared to be an isolated incident," says Jim Keech, President and CEO of Utilities Kingston. "When
the second outage occurred on this past Tuesday, a pole by pole inspection was initiated in a targeted area that was
identified using a computerized system, known as a SCADA system that we use to monitor the electrical system."
The inspection identified a problem with an insulator on a pole that carries one of two 44,000 volt lines that supply
the main substation at King and Queen Streets.
"This substation has been very reliable. It was affected only briefly by the ice storm and there have been no
significant problems since the early 70's. We anticipate that the repair of the insulator will resolve the problem in
the downtown core," says Keech.
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