Be Smart And Safe
(Farm News - September 2009)
Are you adding a major piece of equipment to your farming operation? If so, be sure to contact WPS in advance. Taking time to make the call will help ensure WPS's facilities are adequate to serve your increased electric load.
The transformer, (the green cabinet mounted on a concrete or fiberglass pad or the grey cylinder mounted to a utility pole outside your facility), takes electricity transferred over high-voltage power lines and lowers the voltage appropriately so that power can be used on your farm. Transformers are designed to meet the needs of your current electric load.
"If your load will change significantly because of new equipment, we need to know in advance, so we can determine if your existing transformer and metering equipment is appropriate or if we need to make changes and increase our equipment capability," said Brian Teddy, Manager of Advanced Metering Infrastructure at WPS.
The types of equipment that can impact electric load include manure pumps, large feeding equipment and cross-ventilation equipment.
"Any additional electrical equipment that changes how your farm operates will likely increase load and may require us to do some work upfront," Teddy said. "If you are unsure, it's definitely worth asking us."
What if a customer adds new equipment and operates it without informing WPS? This increased load could overload WPS's equipment and cause an unexpected outage or require a planned outage to make repairs. The customer's equipment also could sustain damage. This creates a potentially dangerous and costly situation.
If you will be adding major equipment at your operation, be sure to contact WPS at least four weeks before your new equipment arrives. This will allow time for scheduling a planned outage and maintenance, if needed. If you have questions, call the Business Solutions Center at 877-444-0888, or your agricultural consultant.