Reclosers: What are they and why are they important?

An electric recloser is a smart switch device used in power distribution systems to detect and automatically respond to faults that occur on electrical lines. 

 
A photo of a recloser

How Do Reclosers Work?

  • When a fault is detected, reclosers temporarily open the circuit and shut off the power to the affected section of a line
  • After a short period of time, these smart switches attempt to close the section and restore power
  • If the fault is temporary, power resumes.
  • If a fault remains on the line and is permemant, the recloser will open the segment until a crew arrives for inspection and repairs

Why Are Reclosers Important?

  • They improve grid reliability
  • They reduce the duration of outages
  • Fewer customers are affected by outages
  • Automation helps eliminate the manual intervention needed for temporary issues

Preventive Safety Measures

CPS Energy will implement Safety Settings when an area is at risk of a wildfire or natural disaster. Safety Settings will disable recloser switching to avoid restoring power to a faulty line, helping to reduce potential risks.

 

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