Filed with the Iowa Utilities Board on November 14, 2019, RE-0156
IOWA UTILITIES BOARD - SAFETY AND ENGINEERING SECTION Field Inspection Report
Name of Utility: MidAmerican Energy Company Date: October 7, 2019 File: RE-0156 Inspector: John E. Welcher
NOTE: The function of this inspection, which covers only a portion of the utility’s electrical facilities, is for regulatory oversight purposes. Therefore, correcting only these items shall not substitute for the utility’s inspection procedure as required by Iowa Utilities Board rule 199 IAC 25.3.
Unless otherwise noted, Code sections cited in this report are from ANSI C2-2017, National Electrical Safety Code.
I&M PLAN INSPECTION
Board staff inspected a portion of the electrical facilities that the utility has recently inspected according to the utility’s Inspection and Maintenance Plan (I&M Plan). Any probable violations observed are listed below.
County: Dallas Date: October 3, 2019 Weather: Overcast Temperature: 50°F Area Inspected: DM_211 – Adel – Southwest. City and rural area west and south along Hwy 6, west of Hwy 169.
Probable Violations:
City:
Loose Guy Wire NESC 012C: Maintenance should be done in accordance with accepted good practice.
1. 508 S 10th Street, by drive; slack communication down guy.
Mediacom has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
2. Southeast corner of S 10th & Bryan Streets; slack communication down guy.
Mediacom has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
3. First pole, corner pole, north of 715 S 11th Street; slack communication down guy.
CenturyLink has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
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Filed with the Iowa Utilities Board on November 14, 2019, RE-0156
Non-Complying Guy Marker 199 IAC 25.2(2)(d): Guy markers shall be of conspicuous color and not less than eight feet long.
4. 915 Bryan Street, by drive; no communication guy marker.
Mediacom has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
5. Southeast corner of S 10th & Bryan Streets; no communication guy marker.
Mediacom has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
6. Northeast corner of Greene & S 14th Streets; guy marker is pushed up the down guy.
The guy marker will be replaced by February 11, 2020.
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Filed with the Iowa Utilities Board on November 14, 2019, RE-0156
7. Across the street northwesterly from 1517 Greene Street; no communication guy marker.
Mediacom has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
Supply Cable Riser Guard Not NESC 314B: Riser guards that enclose electric Grounded supply lines shall be effectively grounded.
8. East side of S 11th Street & Sun Dance Circle; primary riser does not appear to be grounded.
The primary riser will be grounded or verified as grounded by December 13, 2019.
Communication Riser Not NESC 215C1: Communication risers that are Grounded exposed to contact with open supply conductors shall be effectively grounded.
9. East side of S 11th Street & Sun Dance Circle; communication riser does not appear to be grounded.
Mediacom has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
Conductor Not Securely Attached NESC 239A: Conductors shall be securely to the Surface of the Structure attached to the surface of the structure.
10. First pole south of 413 S 11th Street; communications cable is not attached to the pole.
CenturyLink has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
11. First pole north of 413 S 11th Street; communications cable is not attached to the pole.
CenturyLink has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
12. Second pole west of S 19th Street on Greene Street; communications cable is not attached to the pole.
Mediacom has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
Split, Shell-Rotted, or Rotten Pole NESC 261A2: Wood pole strength requirements are defined.
13. Transformer pole in front of 1126 Greene Street; pole is rotten at the groundline. This pole also appears stressed.
The pole at this location will be replaced by February 11, 2020.
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Filed with the Iowa Utilities Board on November 14, 2019, RE-0156
Inadequate Clearance to NESC 235C1 and Table 235-5: Vertical clearance Communication Cable at Support from supply conductors to communication cables on the same structure shall be a minimum of 40” at the supports.
14. In front of 1316 Greene Street; 12 inches of clearance between triplex secondary and communications service drop on the pole.
Mediacom has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
15. Corner pole on the north side of Greene Street & Van Fossen Lane; 11 inches of clearance between triplex secondary and communications on the pole.
Facilities at this location will be adjusted to achieve adequate clearance by February 11, 2020.
Broken Guy NESC 264B: Broken guys do not support the load for which they were intended.
16. North side of Greene & S 19th Streets; broken communication down guy.
Mediacom has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
17. First pole west of S 19th Street on Greene Street; broken communication down guy.
Mediacom has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
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Filed with the Iowa Utilities Board on November 14, 2019, RE-0156
Span Guy Insulator Positioned NESC 215C2b(2): Insulators shall be positioned Incorrectly so as to limit the likelihood of any portion of a span guy becoming energized within 8 feet of ground level in the event that the span guy becomes slack.
18. Corner pole in the southeast corner of Greene Street & Van Fossen Lane, top overhead guy; guy insulator in the top overhead guy is not positioned to provide the required protection.
An insulated span guy will be installed by February 11, 2020.
Uninsulated Guy Not Grounded NESC 215C2(a): All guys shall be effectively grounded or insulated.
19. Southeast corner of Greene Street & Van Fossen Lane; the middle overhead guy is not grounded.
An insulated span guy will be installed by February 11, 2020.
Rural:
Unguarded Cables Passing NESC 239G1: Vertical supply conductors shall be through Communication Space guarded 40" above the highest communication attachment to 6' below the lowest communication attachment, except as allowed by Rule 238D.
20. In front of 21892 Hwy 6; 7 inches and 23 inches between the secondary riser and two communication cables.
Facilities at this location will be adjusted to achieve adequate clearance by February 11, 2020.
21. In front of 21884 Hwy 6; 8 inches and 21 inches between the secondary riser and two communication cables.
Facilities at this location will be adjusted to achieve adequate clearance by February 11, 2020.
22. Second pole west of Northwater Lane; one communication cable is at the same level and another is 16 inches below the secondary riser.
Facilities at this location will be adjusted to achieve adequate clearance by February 11, 2020.
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Filed with the Iowa Utilities Board on November 14, 2019, RE-0156
Inadequate Clearance Above NESC 232B1: Vertical clearances above ground, Ground roadway, rail, or water surface shall not be less than the values shown in Table 232-1. 199 IAC 25.2(2)(b)(4) allows field measurements meeting the 1987 NESC edition to be indicative of compliance with the 2017 NESC edition.
23. First span west across from 21327 Hwy 6; communication cable is 14 feet above an apparent field entrance.
CenturyLink has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
SUBSTATIONS:
Substation Inspected: Adel Substation, 219 S 8th Street.
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Filed with the Iowa Utilities Board on November 14, 2019, RE-0156
Probable Violations:
Safety Signs Not Displayed NESC 110A1: Safety signs shall be displayed at each entrance of an electric supply station. Safety signs shall be displayed on each side of a fenced station.
24. There are no safety signs on the west fence.
Safety signs have been placed to provide adequate public notification.
25. There is one sign on the south fence. Due to the length of the fence, the utility should consider additional sign(s) on longer sides.
Safety signs have been placed to provide adequate public notification.
NEW CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION
Board staff inspected a portion of the electrical facilities that the utility has recently constructed. Any probable violations observed are listed below.
There was no new construction to inspect.
FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION
Board staff inspected a portion of the probable violations noted in the previous “Field Inspection Report.” Any items found to be uncorrected are listed below. Any other probable violations observed during this follow-up inspection are also listed below.
Area Inspected: Walnut Ridge DM_227 - 142nd Street Sub – North. Area north from the substation and west of Grimes.
Uncorrected Items:
Conductor Not Securely Attached NESC 239A: Conductors shall be securely to the Surface of the Structure attached to the surface of the structure.
1. Second pole north, corner pole, of 801 W 1st Street; a communication cable is not attached to the pole.
Mediacom and Windstream have been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
Unguarded Cables Passing NESC 239G1: Vertical supply conductors shall be through Communication Space guarded 40" above the highest communication attachment to 6' below the lowest communication attachment, except as allowed by Rule 238D.
2. Third pole south of SW Brookside Drive on E 1st Street; 31 inches between the primary riser and communications on the pole.
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Filed with the Iowa Utilities Board on November 14, 2019, RE-0156
NexGen and UPN have been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
Area Inspected: 2017 inspection items in follow-up inspection. Walnut Ridge DM_157 – Sycamore Substation – North. Area northwest of substation.
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Filed with the Iowa Utilities Board on November 14, 2019, RE-0156
Uncorrected Items:
Unguarded Cables Passing NESC 239G1: Vertical supply conductors shall be through Communication Space guarded 40" above the highest communication attachment to 6' below the lowest communication attachment, except as allowed by Rule 238D.
3. Northwest corner of NW Beaver Drive & NW 64th Avenue, clearance pole on the north side; 32 inches of clearance between the secondary riser and communications.
Facilities at this location will be adjusted to achieve adequate clearance by December 13, 2019.
Area Inspected: 2017 inspection items in follow-up inspection. Walnut Ridge DM_219 – Grainger Sub - Southeast. Area southeast of substation.
Uncorrected Items:
Non-Complying Guy Marker 199 IAC 25.2(2)(d): Guy markers shall be of conspicuous color and not less than eight feet long.
4. Pole in the southwest corner of NW 114th Street & NW 106th Avenue; no communications guy marker.
CenturyLink has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
Unguarded Cables Passing NESC 239G1: Vertical supply conductors shall be through Communication Space guarded 40" above the highest communication attachment to 6' below the lowest communication attachment, except as allowed by Rule 238D.
5. Riser pole across from 11010 NW 106th Avenue; 31 inches between the primary riser and communications.
CenturyLink has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
6. Secondary pole at 10189 NW Beaver Drive; communication is 8 inches above the secondary riser.
A taller pole will be installed and facilities will be adjusted at this location to achieve adequate clearance by February 11, 2020.
7. Transformer pole at 10040 NW Beaver Drive; 29 inches between the secondary riser and communications.
A taller pole will be installed and facilities will be adjusted at this location to achieve adequate clearance by February 11, 2020.
8. Primary riser pole at 10101 NW Beaver Drive; 37 inches between the primary riser and communications.
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Filed with the Iowa Utilities Board on November 14, 2019, RE-0156
CenturyLink has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
9. Pole south of 10029 NW 100th Street; 15 inches of clearance between the primary riser and communications.
A taller pole will be installed and facilities will be adjusted at this location to achieve adequate clearance by February 11, 2020.
Equipment Permanently NESC 214B3: Lines and equipment permanently Abandoned Not Maintained in a abandoned shall be removed or maintained in a Safe Condition safe condition.
10. Riser pole across from 11010 NW 106th Avenue; communication cable hanging down the pole.
CenturyLink has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
11. Transformer pole at 11010 NW 106th Avenue; abandoned communication cables on the pole.
CenturyLink has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
12. Transformer pole at 10566 NW 106th Avenue; communication cable hanging down the pole.
CenturyLink has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
Conductor Not Securely Attached NESC 239A: Conductors shall be securely to the Surface of the Structure attached to the surface of the structure.
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Filed with the Iowa Utilities Board on November 14, 2019, RE-0156
13. Pole in the southwest corner of NW 114th Street & NW 106th Avenue; communications not attached securely to the pole.
CenturyLink has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
Broken Guy NESC 264B: Broken guys do not support the load for which they were intended.
14. Pole across from 10855 NW 106th Avenue; broken communication guy wire.
CenturyLink has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
Inadequate Clearance Between NESC 235C1 and Table 235-5: Vertical clearance Effectively Grounded Neutral and between effectively grounded neutrals and Communication Cable at Support communication cables on the same structure shall be a minimum of 30” at the supports.
15. The first pole east of 10040 NW Beaver Drive; 24 inches of clearance between the neutral and communications on the pole.
A taller pole will be installed and facilities will be adjusted at this location to achieve adequate clearance by February 11, 2020.
Area Inspected: 2017 Inspection. Walnut Ridge DM_157 – Sycamore Substation – North. Area northwest from the substation. Additional item found.
Uncorrected Items:
Inadequate Clearance Above NESC 232B1: Vertical clearances above ground, Ground roadway, rail, or water surface shall not be less than the values shown in Table 232-1. 199 IAC 25.2(2)(b)(4) allows field measurements meeting the 1987 NESC edition to be indicative of compliance with the 2017 NESC edition.
16. North side of Beaver Drive & County Ridge Lane; uninsulated communications is 15 feet11 inches over the road. Currently measured at 15 feet 6 inches.
CenturyLink has been contacted notifying them of the violation and that corrective action is required.
MAINTENANCE NEEDS, RELIABILITY CONCERNS AND OTHER COMMENTS
1. A corner of the transformer pad, on the south side of 4632 144th Street, is damaged. This item appears to have been repaired, but has been damaged again.
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Filed with the Iowa Utilities Board on November 14, 2019, RE-0156
The transformer pad will be replaced by February 11, 2020.
COMPLIANCE WITH 199 IAC 25.3(3)b(3)
In general, were the utility’s inspections conducted in a manner conducive to the identification of safety, maintenance and reliability concerns or needs?
No. This is due to the high number of violations found in the current inspection, and not all probable violations were corrected from the 2018 follow-up IUB inspection.
List any suggestions to improve the manner in which the utility conducts inspections and performs corrective actions.
None.
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