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2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Table of Contents: use hyperlink to find section.
STATISTICS AND SYSTEM ACTIVITY:
FINANCIAL:
CAPITAL PROJECT AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT:
SAFETY:
STAFFING AND OUTSOURCING:
SUPPORT:
STORM RESPONSE
RELIABILITY:
PRACTICES, SMART GRID AND ASSET MANAGEMENT
COMMON TERMS:
SUBSTATION REFURBISHMENT
POLE REPLACEMENT
Terms are listed alphabetically in each of the above sections of this glossary. To find the
definition for a term in the questionnaire, first check the glossary pages for the section of the
questionnaire where you first saw the term. If you do not find a definition there, check the
common terms section.
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2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
STATISTICS AND SYSTEM ACTIVITY:
Average Annual MVA
Load
ST
Average Annual
Transformer Load (%)
Average Transformer
Loading at Peak (%)
Circuit Mile/Kilometer
ST
Customers beyond
the meter
ST
Delivery Point
ST
Distribution End-Use
Customer
ST
Distribution Voltages
ST
Installed MVA
Capacity
ST
ST, SA
ST
Average Annual MVA Load is the average system load on
the utility’s overall distribution system for the entire year. It
is calculated by summing the total load on the distribution
system for every 15-minute interval of the year and dividing
by the number of intervals in the year (35,040 intervals in
the year). This may be calculated on an hourly basis if you
only have hourly data.
Average Annual MVA Load divided by the Installed MVA
Capacity
Peak Load MVA at Non-Coincident Peak divided by the
Installed MVA Capacity
Physical miles/kilometers of line multiplied by the number of
circuits. For example, two miles of OH line with two circuits
on the pole line is equal to four circuit miles. Include both
OH and UG lines.
This is focused on master-metered buildings, such as
apartments, and is designed to count the number of
customers who would be counted as individual customers if
each unit were separately metered.
The point at which power is either extracted from or injected
into the transmission grid. It can be a station or a stepdown/step-up transformer bank. The point that exists to
supply power to distribution or other customer stations
(e.g., large industrial customers) directly served from the
transmission grid.
Please provide the count reported on your FERC Form 1. If
you do not report to FERC, use the following definition: an
entity (usually defined as a metered point of delivery) that
receives electric distribution services from your company.
Do not include customers connected through a different
local distribution company (LDC).
For purposes of this survey, we define distribution to be a
voltage level above 1kV and less than 46kV. The high-end
distinction is somewhat arbitrary, but picks a point between
69kV, which is generally considered a transmission (or at
least sub-transmission) level and 21kV, which would
generally be considered distribution.
It is unrealistic to ask utilities to redefine all of their cost or
reliability reporting on the basis of these definitions.
However, a utility that has very different definitions may
want to restate their statistics to better compare their
performance.
This should be the sum of the total rated capacity of all of
your substation transformers at normal operating
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2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Mixed/Suburban
MVA of Transmission
substation capacity
ST
ST
Megawatt Hours Sold
- Retail (End Use)
ST
Megawatt Hours Sold
- Wholesale (Sales for
Resale)
Megawatt Hours
Wheeled (Delivered)
MWh Transmitted
ST
MW-Miles
ST
MW's Generation
Interconnected
MW's Generation
Added
OH structure
miles/kilometers
trimmed
Peak Load MVA at
Non-Coincident Peak
Percent of customers
served from different
types of distribution
systems
SA
SA
ST
Definition
conditions. We recognize that rated capacity may be
determined in different ways by different companies. Use
the number that you report in FERC Form 1.
Areas with 50 to 250 customers per square mile
This should include the rated MVA for both
autotransformers and power transformers with transmission
voltage on the low side. Use what you report in the FERC
Form 1.
Total Utility retail megawatt hours of electricity sold for the
specific year to all retail/end-use customers. FERC Form 1,
Electric Operating Revenues, page 301 – Line 10 (TOTAL
Sales to Ultimate Customers), column d (YTD Annual
Megawatt Hours Sold).
– Line 11 ((447) Sales for Resale), column d (YTD Annual
Megawatt Hours Sold)Line 11, Ferc Form 1, Electric
Operating Revenues.
FERC Form 1, Page 401a, Line Item 17.
Add together:
1) Through-flow on your system [which is the amount of
power that was imported minus the amount of power
exported]
2) Power used to serve to loads.
3) Exports
For each circuit, multiply the number of miles by total peak
load capacity defined in megawatts; the sum of all circuits
for a voltage class is the total mw-miles for voltage class.
Use the transfer capacity of lines as defined in your basecase load flow for peak conditions.
By year, how many MW of generation were interconnected
to your transmission system, but were given only non-firm
transmission service, and therefore not modeled in your
base case transmission planning study (or modeled at
“zero” MW)?
By year, how many MW of generation were added to your
base case transmission planning study?
Refers to the number of OH structure miles/kilometers
actually trimmed during the year being measured.
The sum of all individual substation transformer peak load
MVA values recorded during the year. These individual
substation peak load MVA values may have occurred at
different times and at times different than the time of the
peak demand on the overall system
Customers should be classified based on the type of local
distribution primary system (overhead, URD, Underground
Network, etc.) that is directly connected to the distribution
transformer that serves the customer. This may or may not
be the same as the type of mainline feeder that is the
upstream source of power to the local distribution system.
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Planned / Budgeted
System Peak Demand
(MW)
Rural
Structure
Mile/Kilometer
ST
Substations
ST
ST
ST, SA
Suburban (or
Mixed/Suburban)
System Peak Demand
(MW)
System Capacity
(Nameplate Load Bus
MVA)
ST
Transformers
ST
ST
ST
Transmission circuits
ST
Transmission
voltages
Tree
ST
Tree miles/kilometers
managed
SA
Trees removed
SA
Trees trimmed
SA
SA
Definition
Total Utility System Peak Demand in MW that was used in
Transmission Planning Studies and utilized for capital
budgeting purposes for that year.
Areas that have fewer than 50 customers per square mile
Physical miles/kilometers of line irrespective of the number
of circuits. For purposes of this survey structure
miles/kilometers refers to both overhead pole
miles/kilometers and underground trench miles/kilometers.
See complete definition and classifications in the Common
Terms section of this Glossary.
For substation statistics reported in this survey, use the
following additional guidelines on what should be counted:
1. For transmission substations, include those that
have autotransformers as well as those that have
power transformers.
2. Do not include AC/DC convertor stations
3. Do not include small, pole-mounted or pad-mounted
step-down transformers which are sometimes
referred to as “mini-substations”
Areas with 50 to 250 customers per square mile
Total actual Utility System Peak Demand in MW recorded
for that year.
Total Utility System Capacity based on nameplate Load
Bus MVA rating. The highest namplate capacity of the
distribution transformer used to directly serve load from the
transmission system or the "metered interface capacity"
between the transmission system and what would be
considered the distribution system.
See complete definition and classifications in the Common
Terms section of this Glossary
For substation statistics in this survey, count both Power
Transformers and Autotransformers and report the number
of three phase banks, not the number of individual “tanks”.
For purposes of this survey, we define transmission circuits
to be all circuits operated at a voltage level of 46kV or
higher. Include both AC and DC circuits in your counts of
transmission circuits.
For purposes of this survey, we define transmission to be a
voltage level of 46kV or above.
You may use your own definition. A common forestry
definition is a plant with minimum trunk diameter of 4".
Refers to the estimated number of linear miles/kilometers of
overhead lines in your entire service area that might be
affected by trees. This is structure miles, not circuit miles
Refers to the number of trees removed during the year
being measured
Refers to the number trees trimmed during the year being
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Urban
Voltage Classes
ST
ST
Definition
measured
Areas with more than 250 customers per square mile
The following voltage classes are used for reporting
purposes (Note: these are phase-to-phase voltages. When
counting circuit miles, single phase lines should be included
in the phase to phase voltage class of their three phase
mainline feeder):
Distribution voltage classes
5kV class = >1kV, <=9kV
15kV class = >9kV, <=15kV
25kV class = >15kV to <=26kV
35kV class = >26kV to <=36kV
44kV class = >36kV to <=44kV
Transmission voltage classes
<69kV
69kV class (>=69kV <100kV)
100kV class (>=100kV <200kV)
200kV Class (>=200kV <300kV)
300kV Class (>=300 kV <400 kV
400kV and above
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Definition
FINANCIAL:
ABC Spending:
Contributions in Aid
of Construction
(CIAC)
DF,TF
ABC Spending:
Expand - Capacity
Additions
DF,TF,
FL
ABC Spending: Serve
New - New
Substations
ABC Spending: Serve
New – Service
Extension to New
Customers
DF,TF,
FL
ABC Spending:
Sustain – Asset
Retirement Costs for
Transmission Plant
ABC Spending:
Sustain – Damage
Prevention & Facility
Locating
TF
ABC Spending:
Sustain – Distribution
Operations Center
DF, FL
ABC Spending:
Sustain –
Engineering/Design
O&M
DF,TF,
FL
DF,TF,
FL
DF, FL
Money that the utility receives from external parties
(individuals, businesses, government agencies, etc.) to
reimburse for all or a portion of the utility’s capital
expenditures to build or relocate utility facilities. These
funds are subtracted from the capital cost of the new or
relocated facilities when determining the rate base on which
the utility may earn an approved return
Capital spending on facilities to serve general load growth
that is not specifically attributable to any one customer
source. This spending usually occurs as a “step function”,
based on planning studies which recommend specific
projects to build new lines and substations or upgrade
existing lines and substations in order to provide sufficient
capacity to support forecasted future load growth.
Capital spending on new substations or substation
expansions that are needed to serve a specific new
customer or a major load addition by an existing customer
Capital spending to build transmission and/or distribution
lines and other facilities that are needed to extend service
to new customers or to support major load additions by
existing customers. Do not include the costs of line
transformers and meters installed at these locations. Also
includes capital spending to serve new transmission
interconnection points for power generators, unaffiliated
distribution utilities (e.g. municipal or coop utilities) and new
ties to other transmission systems.
Transmission capital spending charged to FERC account
359.1
O&M Expenses associated with utility programs intended to
prevent damage to utility electric distribution facilities by
external parties. Includes the cost of locating and marking
facilities, utility payments to state “one-call” systems and
the cost of public communication programs on this specific
topic, etc.
The Capital spending and O&M expenses associated with a
utility’s distribution operations center(s). The Distribution
Operations Center O&M is most likely to be found in FERC
account 581, Load Dispatching.
O&M spending on general engineering and design activities
such as planning studies, standards development and
mapping. For Transmission Lines, this category should
include costs charged to FERC account 561.8, Reliability,
Planning and Standards Development Services.
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ABC Spending:
Sustain – Field
Switching
DF
ABC Spending:
Sustain – Inspection
and Maintenance
Expense
DF,TF,
FL
ABC Spending:
Sustain - Line
Reldepocations
DF,TF,
FL
ABC Spending:
Sustain – Line
Transformer
Expenses
ABC Spending:
Sustain – Line
Transformer
Purchases
ABC Spending:
Sustain –
Maintenance of
Computers,
Communications
Equipment and
Regional
Transmission Plant)
ABC Spending:
Sustain – Metering
Expense
ABC Spending:
Sustain – Meter
Purchases
ABC Spending;
Sustain – O&M
Associated with
Capital Work
DF
ABC Spending:
Sustain –
Replace/Repair In
Kind
DF,TF,
FL
Definition
O&M spending to perform field switching activities on
distribution lines (switching outside of substations only – the
cost of operating switching equipment in substations should
be included in the Sustain – Substation Operations
category)
O&M spending on proactive programs to inspect and
maintain existing T&D equipment and any corrective
maintenance that may be performed other than that directly
associated with service restoration. For Transmission
Lines, exclude spending on maintenance of computer
systems, communications equipment and miscellaneous
regional transmission plant costs that are charged to FERC
accounts 569.1 through 569.4
Capital spending to relocate existing transmission and
distribution lines at a customer’s request or where required
by government or franchise agreements. These relocation
costs may or may not be reimbursed.
O&M spending to test, install, repair and maintain line
transformers. These costs are normally charged to FERC
account 595.
DF
Capital spending on new or refurbished line transformers.
These costs are normally charged to FERC account 368.
TF, FL
Transmission O&M expenses charged to FERC accounts
569.1 through 569.4
DF
Distribution O&M spending to test, install, repair and
maintain meters. These costs are normally charged to
FERC accounts 586 and 597.
Capital spending on new or refurbished meters, including
advanced metering (AMI/AMR) investments. These costs
are normally charged to FERC account 370.
Miscellaneous distribution O&M spending that is incurred
while completing distribution line capital projects. Includes
the costs of installing equipment that is not a property unit
and costs for adjusting or relocating existing capital
property units. My also include the cost of tree trimming and
brush removal work directly associated with capital
projects.
Capital spending to repair, refurbish or replace transmission
and distribution equipment in order to keep the existing
system performing as originally designed. This includes all
proactive programs to replace capital equipment before it
DF
DF
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Term
Section
ABC Spending:
Sustain – ROW/
Vegetation
Management
ABC Spending:
Sustain – Service
Restoration
DF,TF,
FL
ABC Spending:
Sustain – Substation
Operations
ABC Spending;
Sustain – System
Improvement
DF,TF
ABC Spending:
Sustain Transmission
Operations Center
TF, FL
DF,TF,
FL
DF,TF,
FL
Definition
fails based on observed condition, performance history,
testing results or age criteria. It excludes replacement of
damaged equipment that was necessary to restore service
to customers after power outages (those costs should be
included in the Sustain – Service Restoration category),
replacements that were made as part of the process of
relocating facilities (should be included in the “Sustain –
Line Relocation” category), and replacements which
increased the electrical capacity of the system (should be
included in the “Expand – Capacity Additions” category). It
also excludes capital costs of line transformers and meters
that were installed to replace existing equipment.
O&M spending to manage and remove vegetation around
and near transmission and distribution lines, including the
costs of tree trimming, right of way mowing and applications
of chemicals that inhibit vegetation growth.
Capital and O&M spending incurred to determine the cause
of customer service interruptions and to make the repairs
necessary to restore service during both normal operations
and storm events, excluding only those storm events that
were excluded from FERC reporting as an “Extraordinary
Item” (see FERC Extraordinary Items definition in this
Glossary). Do not include the cost of follow-up repairs,
upgrades or replacements of damaged equipment that
were performed after service was restored. Those costs
should be included in either the “Sustain – Replace/Repair
in Kind” category (Capital) or the “Sustain – Inspection and
Maintenance” category (O&M).
O&M spending to operate switching and other equipment
within the substation fence.
Capital spending directed at improving the reliability,
efficiency and/or security of the electric T&D network
including system hardening programs, worst circuit
remediation programs, substation flood protection and
physical security improvements, construction of ties
between distribution circuits to provide more switching
options, adding sectionalizers and reclosers to existing
circuits, installing Distribution Automation (DA) and
Substation Automation technology, etc. Do not include the
cost of equipment installations which increased the
electrical capacity of a system (should be included in the
“Expand – Capacity Additions” category) or the costs of
advanced metering (AMI/AMR) technology installed at
customer sites, (those costs should be included in the
“Sustain – Meter Purchases” category).
The Capital spending and O&M expenses associated with
the utility’s transmission operations center(s). The
Transmission Operations Center O&M is most likely to be
found in FERC accounts 561.1 to 561.4.
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2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
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Contract Labor
FL
Contracted Services
FL
Construction Work in DF, TF
Progress
Depreciation Expense DF, TF
Direct Labor
FL
Extraordinary Items
DF, TF
FERC Distribution
Lines and Substation
Operation Expense
DF
FERC Distribution
Plant in Service and
Plant Additions
DF
Definition
The cost of contract agency employees who work on
company property or facilities and who are directly
supervised by company employees, but who are not
actually employees of the company. Also include payments
to independent contractors who work under your direct
supervision.
The cost of work that is performed for the company by an
outside firm (“outsourcer”) on a turn-key basis.
See page 216, Acct 107 of FERC form 1
Account 403 Depreciation Expense, See page 336 for the
break between Distribution & Transmission
The costs of salaries, wages and benefits paid to company
employees who are directly engaged a specific work
function and who charge their time on hourly basis to that
function, including those employees’ base pay, overtime
pay, pension contributions, health and welfare benefits,
other work-related payments and any government
obligations directly related to pay.
Exclude events and transactions of significant effect which
were abnormal and significantly different from the ordinary
and typical activities of the company, and which would not
reasonably be expected to recur in the foreseeable future.
To be considered as extraordinary under the above
guidelines, an item should be more than approximately
10% of budgeted T&D O&M expense less exclusions
already noted.
(580) Operation Supervision and Engineering
(581) Load Dispatching
(582) Station Expenses
(583) Overhead Line Expenses
(584) Underground Line Expenses
(585) Street Lighting and Signal System Expenses
(586) Meter Expenses
(587) Customer Installations Expenses
(588) Miscellaneous Expenses
(589) Rents
The above list is directly from a FERC form and shows
what is normally included in FERC. For our study, we then
back out some of these items as noted in the questionnaire.
Meter Reading is not included in Distribution Operation
expense.
These items are included in Distribution (and Distribution
Substation) plant in service or plant additions.
(360) Land and Land Rights
(361) Structures and Improvements
(362) Station Equipment
(363) Storage Battery Equipment
(364) Poles, Towers, and Fixtures
(365) Overhead Conductors and Devices
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2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
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Definition
(366) Underground Conduit
(367) Underground Conductors and Devices
(368) Line Transformers
(369) Services
(370) Meters
(371) Installations on Customer Premises
(372) Leased Property on Customer Premises
(373) Street Lighting and Signal Systems
(374) Asset Retirement Costs for Distribution Plant
FERC Transmission
TF
Lines and Substation
Maintenance Expense
FERC Transmission
Lines and Substation
Operation Expense
TF
FERC Transmission
Plant in Service and
Plant Additions
TF
(568) Maintenance Supervision and Engineering
(569) Maintenance of Structures
(569.1) Maintenance of Computer Hardware
(569.2) Maintenance of Computer Software
(569.3) Maintenance of Communication Equipment
(569.4) Maintenance of Miscellaneous Regional
Transmission Plant
(570) Maintenance of Station Equipment
(571) Maintenance of Overhead Lines
(572) Maintenance of Underground Lines
(573) Maintenance of Miscellaneous Transmission Plant
The above list is directly from a FERC form and shows
what is normally included in FERC. For our study, we then
back out some of these items as noted in the questionnaire.
(560) Operation Supervision and Engineering
(561) Load Dispatching
(561.1) Load Dispatch-Reliability
(561.2) Load Dispatch-Monitor and Operate Transmission
System
(561.3) Load Dispatch-Transmission Service and
Scheduling
(561.4) Scheduling, System Control and Dispatch Services
(561.5) Reliability, Planning and Standards Development
(561.6) Transmission Service Studies
(561.7) Generation Interconnection Studies
(561.8) Reliability, Planning and Standards Development
Services
(562) Station Expenses
(563) Overhead Lines Expenses
(564) Underground Lines Expenses
(565) Transmission of Electricity by Others
(566) Miscellaneous Transmission Expenses
(567) Rents
The above list is directly from a FERC form and shows
what is normally included in FERC. For our study, we then
back out some of these items as noted in the questionnaire.
These items are included in Transmission (and
Transmission Substation) plant in service or plant additions.
(350) Land and Land Rights
(352) Structures and Improvements
(353) Station Equipment
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2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Plant In Service
(Assets)
Section
DF, TF
Tree Cutting
DF, TF
DF, TF
Side Trimming
DF, TF
ROW Reclearing
DF, TF
Herbicide
DF, TF
Substation Soil
Sterilant
DF, TF
Substation Mowing
DF, TF
Other ROW Costs
DF, TF
Danger Tree
Capitalization
Other ROW Costs
Capitalized
DF, TF
DF, TF
Definition
(354) Towers and Fixtures
(355) Poles and Fixtures
(356) Overhead Conductors and Devices
(357) Underground Conduit
(358) Underground Conductors and Devices
(359) Roads and Trails
(359.1) Asset Retirement Costs for Transmission Plant
FERC rules apply. Assets will be net of CIAC.
Transmission right-of-way tree cutting. Cost of
maintenance of right-of-way tree cutting along transmission
pole line easements. Includes "danger" tree cutting.
Transmission right-of-way side trimming. Includes the cost
for trimming but not cut down.
Transmission line acres recleared. Cost of clearing of
brush on transmission rights of way floor by mechanical
and/or manual methods.
Transmission line acres treated. Cost of control of brush on
transmission rights of way floor by use of chemical
application.
T&D Substation acres treated. Cost of total vegetation
control, using bare-ground herbicides, of transmission &
distribution substations.
Number of T&D Substations mowed. Scheduled mowing of
grassed portions of transmission and distribution substation
lots.
All other Forestry / ROW Cost not included in the activities
above.
Transmission danger tree cutting that is capitalized. Does
not include initial clearing or ROW or substation acreage.
All other Forestry / ROW Costs (other than danger tree)
that were capitalized. Do not include initial clearing of
ROW for new lines.
11
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
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Definition
CAPITAL PROJECT AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT:
Earned Value
CP
Earned Value
Management (EVM)
CP
Cost Performance
Index (CPI)
CP
Schedule
Performance Index
(CPI)
CP
Walked In
CP
Earned Value shows how much of the budget and time
should have been spent, with regard to the amount of work
done so far.
Earned Value Management (EVM) is a project
management technique for measuring project performance
and progress in an objective manor. The basic premise of
EVM is that the value of a piece of work is equal to the
amount of funds budgeted to complete it. As part of EVM,
the following information is used to assess schedule and
cost performance throughout a project:
 Planned Value (PV): The approved budget for the
work scheduled to be completed by a specified date
 Earned Value (EV): The approved budget for the
work actually completed by a specified date
 Actual cost (AC): The costs actually incurred for the
work completed by a specified date
The ratio of the approved budget for work completed by a
specified date (EV) to the actual costs the work completed
(AC) by that date. The CPI reflects the relative value of
work done compared to the amount paid for it, sometimes
referred to as the project’s “cost efficiency”.
The ratio of the approved budget for the work completed by
a specified date (EV) to the approved budget for the work
scheduled to be completed by that date (PV). The SPI
reflects the relative amount the project is ahead of or
behind schedule, sometimes referred to as the project’s
“schedule efficiency”.
“Walked in” is terminology from one of our clients that refers
to projects that are not in the original annual budget
(usually approved prior to January 1 or sooner), but are
added during the year. These added projects do not always
get the same degree of planning and vetting as those that
were in the original annual project.
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Definition
SAFETY:
Chargeable Motor
Vehicle Accident
SF
High Risk Motor
Vehicle Incident
SF
High Risk Motor
Vehicle Incident Rate
SF
Medical Aid Incident
SF
OSHA DART Rate
SF
OSHA Lost Time
Incident Rate
SF
OSHA Lost Time
Severity Rate
SF
Any occurrence involving the use of company-owned, leased, or -rented vehicle which results in physical damage
to said vehicle or the vehicle, body or property of another
without regard to financial impact, regardless of whose
property was damaged, who was injured or found to be
cited or at fault. This definition also applies to private
vehicles when used on official duty. Exceptions are as
follows:
- Accidents to properly and legally parked, Companyowned, leased, or rented motor vehicles
Number of vehicle incidents where there is an actual or
credible potential injury to workers or third parties as a
result of inattention, careless behavior or reckless operation
of a vehicle.
This measure is calculated as follows: Total High Risk
Motor Vehicle Incidents X 1,000,000 / Number of Miles
Driven.
An incident included in the OSHA Recordable Injury Rate
calculation (see definition in this section) which required
the person to be seen my a medical professional (doctor,
nurse or EMT)
OSHA Days Away, Restricted or Transferred (DART) case
rate includes every non-fatal occupational injury or illness
which involves a day away from work, a restriction of work
or motion, and/or a transfer to another job. It measures the
total OSHA DART cases based on the exposure of 100 fulltime workers, using 200,000 hours as the equivalent (or
100 full-time employees X 2,000 hours per employee per
year). The measure is calculated as: Total of OSHA DART
cases X 200,000 / Total Hours Worked.
OSHA lost time incident rate includes every occupational
injury or illness that results in a day away from work due
and/or a fatality. It measures the total OSHA lost time injury
and illness cases based on the exposure of 100 full-time
workers, using 200,000 hours as the equivalent (or 100 fulltime employees X 2,000 hours per employee per year). The
measure is calculated as: ((Total of OSHA lost workday
cases plus fatalities) X 200,000) / Total Hours Worked.
This measure includes every non-fatal occupational injury
or illness which resulted in one or more days away from
work. It quantifies the severity of OSHA incidents that have
occurred by looking at the number of lost workdays that can
be attributed to an OSHA incident, based on the exposure
of 100 full-time workers (using 200,000 hours as the
equivalent….or 100 full-time employees X 2,000 hours per
13
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
OSHA Recordable
Injury Rate
SF
Preventable Motor
Vehicle Accident
SF
Preventable Motor
Vehicle Accident
(PMVA) Frequency
Rate
Total Motor Vehicle
Accident (MVA) Rate
SF
SF
Definition
employee per year). The measure is calculated as: Total
Lost Work Days due to OSHA recordable incidents X
200,000 / Total Exposure Hours.
This measure includes every occupational death and every
non-fatal occupational injury or illness which involves one
or more of the following: medical treatment (beyond first
aid), loss of consciousness, restriction of work or motion or
transfer to another job. It measures the total OSHA
recordable injury and illness cases based on the exposure
of 100 full-time workers, using 200,000 hours as the
equivalent (or 100 full-time employees X 2,000 hours per
employee per year). The measure is calculated as: Total
Number of OSHA cases X 200,000 / Total Exposure Hours.
Any Chargeable Motor Vehicle Accident in which the driver
did not do everything reasonably possible to avoid said
accident
This measure is calculated as follows: Total Preventable
Motor Vehicle Accidents X 1,000,000 / Number of Miles
Driven.
This measure is calculated as follows: Total Chargeable
Motor Vehicle Accidents X 1,000,000 / Number of Miles
Driven.
14
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
STAFFING AND OUTSOURCING:
Absenteeism due to
Illness
SO
Administrative
Support
SO
Apprentice
SO
Asset / System
Health / Reliability
Capital Project
Management
Chargeable Work
SO
Contract FTE
SO
Contract Service
SO
Damage Prevention/
Facility Locating
Total Number of hours coded to illness / Total number of
hours coded in the system. With the result being a
percentage of average number of days absent per
employee per year.
Employees who perform administrative and clerical work
that supports the activities of Direct Labor within a specific
functional area. This would include tasks such as
maintaining employee records, processing timesheets and
work orders, assisting supervision with personnel
administration functions, maintaining absence and overtime
records, maintaining files, etc. The expertise and needed to
perform these administrative support tasks is
interchangeable (for the most part) between functional
areas.
An employee working in a skilled trade occupation who is in
the process of completing a formally defined program of
classroom instruction, on-the-job training (OJT) and
competency assessments (referred to as an
“apprenticeship program”) in order to be certified as a fully
competent practitioner in their trade. The apprenticeship
programs may be defined and sponsored by individual
employers, employer associations or joint employer and
union associations. After successful completion of the
apprenticeship program, the employee is advanced to
journey-level status.
Asset Management, System Health and Reliability
engineers and support resources
Include Project Managers and Program Managers, Project
Contract Services, Analysts supporting Project Managers,
Coordinators
Time spent at the job site preparing for and performing
direct work and time spent travelling to and from job sites.
On employee timesheets, this time is typically charged to a
specific work order.
Employees of contracting agencies who work on company
property or facilities and who are supervised by company
employees, but who are not actually employees of the
company. Also include any independent contractors who
work under your direct supervision.
A firm that performs work for the company on a turn-key
basis. The people who perform the work are supervised by
employees of the Contract Service. May also be referred
to as an “Outsourcer”
Employees working on the prevention of damage to utility
electric distribution facilities by external parties. Includes
locating and marking facilities, one-call systems and public
communication programs.
15
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Damage
Prevention/Facility
Locating
SO
Direct Labor
SO
Distribution
Operations Center
(DOC) Staff
Distribution Planning
Distribution Shops
Engineering
Standards
Engineering/Design
Staff
SO
SO
Field Construction
Field Construction
SO
Field Maintenance
Information
Technology
Joint use
organization
Journey-level
Employee
SO
Definition
Employees of the functional work groups that perform
support functions aimed at preventing damage to electric
utility facilities by external parties. Includes people who
develop and conduct programs to improve public
awareness of underground and overhead electric utility
equipment and associated hazards and who maintain
interface with state “one-call” systems, coordinate the
handling of locate requests and/or actually locate and mark
electric facilities, etc.
Employees who are actually performing a major work
function such as Field Construction and Maintenance,
Engineering/Design, Vegetation Management, etc. This
includes linemen, crews, electricians, mechanics,
troubleshooters, engineers, designers, technicians, etc., but
does not include supervisors or technical and administrative
support employees who are associated with the function
but who do not actually perform the function
Employees of the functional work groups that run the
Distribution Operations Center (see separate definition in
Common section of this Glossary)
Distribution planners and related support
Distribution line transformer repair, etc.
Engineering standards, standards development,
administration, and documentation
Employees of the functional work groups that engineer and
design electric utility T&D facilities and those who perform
general engineering and design functions such as planning
studies and standards development
Field construction function. Please use only time charged to
construction (or make allocation)
Employees of the functional work groups that construct
electric utility T&D facilities including the electrical testing
and relay/SCADA system maintenance functions.
Field maintenance function. Maintenance Support,
Construction Maintenance, Line Maintenance, Predictive,
Maintenance Planner, Protection and Control Maintenance.
Please use only time charged to maintenance (or make
allocation)
Employees of the functional work groups that design,
install, test and maintain specialized computer systems
used by the electric T&D organization. Do not include IT
staff that support general company computer systems such
as Email, Intranet, Budgeting and Financial Reporting, etc.
Company employees that are working on supporting joint
owned or "participation" assets via agreement between
utilities. Examples wuld be joint transmissin line.
Refers to employees working in a skilled trade occupation
who have completed a formally defined apprenticeship
program and thereby have been certified as a fully
competent practitioner in their trade. These people have
16
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Labor Utilization
Rate
Section
SO
Large Capital Project
Engineering
Mapping and
Records
Meter Field Ops
Meter Shop
NERC Compliance
Non-Chargeable
Work
SO
OH/UG line design
OH/UG service
design
Outsourcer
Outsourcing Percent
SO
SO
Protection, Metering,
and Controls
ROW and Vegetation
Management
Safety
Smart Grid
Specialization –
Substation
Electrician
SO
Definition
typically been advanced to the top or “Max” pay level on the
wage scale for their occupation.
Time spent on Chargeable Work divided by Total Work
Time [Total time spent on Chargeable Work and NonChargeable Work]. See related definitions in this section.
Engineering dedicated to large capital projects
Employees of functional work groups that create and
maintain maps and other as-built records of the electric
transmission & distribution system
Meter maintenance/ installation; Field Service/ Operations
Meterperson/ Specialist and Meter / Shop Tech; testing,
CT, PT, meter inventory management
Compliance personnel
Time that employees were at work but not performing
Chargeable Work (see separate definition). This includes
time spent in training sessions and meetings and idle time
when no work could be performed. Do not include time that
employees were off work due to vacations, holidays, sick
and excused absences, etc.
Designers or design engineers for Overhead and
Underground lines
Designers or design engineers for Overhead and
Underground services
See “Contract Service” definition in this section
The estimated percentage of the total direct labor work for a
specific functional area that was performed by a turn-key
Contract Service, rather than by company employees or
contractor FTEs supervised by company employees. You
may use different methods to estimate this outsourcing
percentage such as % of total labor hours, % of total miles
built, etc.
Protection metering, automation controls, integration
automation, relay technicians
Right Of Way, Vegetation Management, Forestry,
Landscaping, Special Programs. Does not include land
acquisition
Company employees of functional work groups that perform
safety support functions specifically for the electric T&D
organization including assisting with the investigation of
accidents and injuries, developing and conducting safety
training programs, evaluating and recommending safer
tools and protective equipment, etc.
Functions that are specific to and support Intelligent/Smart
Grid: Grid planning, grid modernization, breaker monitoring,
switching automation, data analytics for T&D, Volt-VAR
technology, transformer monitoring
Need definition here
17
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Substation design
Substation Shop
Supervision & Above
SO
T&D Operations
Center(s)
Technical Support
SO
Training
Transmission
Operations Center
SO
Transmission
Planning
Trouble / Operations
Vegetation
Management
Work Management
Systems (WMS)
SO
Definition
Substation design engineering
Substation shop personnel handling transformer, relay,
communication and other repair / refurbishment.
Company management employees whose primary role is to
oversee and coordinate the work of Direct Labor within a
functional area such as Field Construction and
Maintenance, Engineering and Design, etc.
Monitoring and operating the D or T system; issuing
switching orders; dispatching and managing
troubleshooters and crews responding to outages and other
emergency conditions such as down-wires;
Employees who perform more technical activities that
support the work of Direct Labor within a particular
functional area. This includes tasks such as laying out jobs,
arranging for needed specialized tools and equipment,
evaluating work methods and developing and maintaining
systems, databases, policies and procedures associated
with the work. The employees performing these technical
support tasks have specific expertise and work experience
within the particular functional area to which they are
assigned. Do not include full-time work planners and
schedulers or Work Management System administrators as
technical support for the Field Construction/Maintenance or
Engineering/Design functions. These people should be
accounted for in the Work Management System (WMS)
function as described below.
Employees of functional work groups that develop and
conduct technical training programs specifically for
employees of the electric T&D organization
Employees of the functional work groups that run the
Transmission Operations Center (see separate definition in
the Common section of this glossary)
Transmission planners and related support
Employees of functional work groups that have the primary
roles of performing switching on the electric T&D system
(both line devices and switching equipment in substations)
and responding to outages, alarms and other system
emergencies under the direction of the Distribution
Operations Center or Transmission Operations Center.
These employees may also perform inspection and minor
maintenance work.
Employees of the functional work groups that oversee and
perform utility vegetation management functions including
tree trimming, right of way mowing, etc.
Employees of functional work groups that plan and
schedule the work of the Field Construction and
Maintenance and/or Engineering/Design Direct Labor and
those who administer the Work Management Systems used
by those groups
18
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Full-time Equivalent
Employees (FTE)
Section
SO
Definition
Employees assigned full time to a function including Direct
Labor, Supervision, Administrative Support and Technical
Support.
Also include partial counts for part-time employees
(seasonal employees or employees who work less than 40
hours per week) and for full-time employees who split their
time across different functions.
·
When calculating FTE value use 2080 hours per year
as the denominator.
50% guideline: Include a person in a function if they spend
at least 50% of their time on that function. If a person
divides their time so that they don’t spend at least 50% of
their time on any single function, count them in the “Other”
category
19
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
SUPPORT:
Inventory Fill Rate
SU
Inventory Turns
SU
Stock Keeping Unit
(SKU)
SU
Stores Loading Rate
SU
Inactive Inventory
SU
Critical Inventory
SU
Calculated as quantities of SKU’s disbursed on the
requested delivery date divided by the total number of
SKU’s disbursed during the calendar year
Calculated as annual material disbursement value divided
by the monthly average material inventory value
A distinct material item in inventory with a unique identifier
or code. When a business takes an inventory, it counts the
quantity of each SKU.
A percentage added to the actual cost of a stock keeping
unit (SKU) to account for the storeroom cost (storekeeper
salaries, storeroom expenses, internal transportation, etc.).
See the definition of FERC Acct 163.
Inactive inventory includes materials that have not moved in
a one to five year time period.
Critical spares are inactive/rarely used assets that must be
kept on hand in the event of an emergency and must be
distributed to the field quickly.
20
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
STORM RESPONSE
Catastrophic Storm
ER
Excludable Storm
Event
ER
Hour That Peak
Customer Outages
Occurred
Hours to Complete
Restoration
ER
ER
The time in hours that it took to restore all customers that
were interrupted by a storm event measured from the
Storm Start Time through the hour when the last affected
customer that could receive service was restored.
In House Personnel
ER
Line Crew Personnel
ER
Major Storm
ER
Off System Personnel
ER
Other Field Personnel
ER
Peak number of
customers out (Storm
Events)
Significant Storm
ER
Company employees and contract employees who normally
work on your system
The total number of people in a line mechanic, line
technician, service crew, troubleshooter or similar role that
were deployed in the field during a storm event, either
working alone or as part of a crew
A Storm Event (see definition below) that resulted in
sustained service interruptions to >10% up to 20% of the
company’s total distribution customers.
Employees of other utilities and contractors that do not
normally work on your system
The total number of people, other than Line Crews and
Tree personnel, who were deployed in field support roles
during a storm event. Includes people working as damage
assessors, drivers, flaggers, crew coordinators and wiredown guards, either working alone or as part of a crew. Do
not count people working in office, vehicle maintenance or
storeroom roles.
The peak number of simultaneous sustained customer
interruptions that were recorded during a storm event
Storm CAIDI
ER
ER
A Storm Event (see definition below) that resulted in
sustained service interruptions to more than 20% of the
company’s total distribution customers.
For the purposes of this survey, classify reported storm
events as “Excludable” if the majority of restoration days
would be classified as Major Event Days per IEEE
Standard 1366 (2.5 beta method)
The count of hours after the Storm Start Time when the
peak number of sustained customer interruptions occurred
A Storm Event (see definition below) that resulted in
sustained service interruptions to >1% up to 10% of the
company’s total distribution customers.
The Customer Average Interruption Index for storm events,
in minutes. Storm CAIDI = Total Customer Minutes
Interrupted/Total Customers Interrupted, calculated for the
full duration of storm events beginning with the hour that a
storm started and extending through the hour when all
21
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Storm Event
ER
Storm Start Day
ER
Storm Start Time
ER
Total Customers
Interrupted
ER
Tree Trimming
Personnel
ER
Definition
affected customers that could receive service were
restored.
An individual storm or closely spaced series of storms
which resulted in numerous, widespread electric service
interruptions. Multiple storms are typically grouped and
counted as one storm event if restoration from an earlier
storm was still in progress when subsequent storms
occurred.
The day when the first electric service interruptions caused
by a storm event occurred
The time (rounded to the nearest hour) when the first
electric service interruptions caused by a storm event
occurred.
The total number of sustained customer interruptions
caused by a storm event calculated on a cumulative basis
throughout the duration of the event. Individual customers
that may have experienced multiple sustained interruptions
during a storm event should be counted multiple times. Do
not count momentary interruptions.
The total number of people in a tree trimming/line clearance
role that were deployed in the field during a storm event,
either working alone or as part of a crew
22
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
RELIABILITY:
Automatic Outage
(TADS)
TR, SR
Blue Sky Day
DR
CAIDI
DR
An outage that results from the automatic operation of
switching device, causing an Element to change from an InService State to a not In-Service State. A successful AC
single-pole (phase) reclosing event is not an Automatic
Outage.
Days when fewer than 1% of distribution customers are
affected by weather-caused outages.
The Customer Average Interruption Duration Index (CAIDI)
is a reliability index commonly used by electric power
utilities. It is related to SAIDI and SAIFI, and is calculated
as
CAIDI =
sum of all customer interruption durations
total number of customer interruptions
SAIDI/SAIFI
=
CAIDI gives the average outage duration that any given
customer would experience once an outage has occurred.
CAIDI can also be viewed as the average restoration time
Circuit Sustained
Outage Frequency
Mileage Adjusted
TR
Circuit Total Outage
Frequency Mileage
Adjusted
TR
Circuit Total Outage
Frequency, Mileage
Adjusted
TR
Customer
Interruption: Acts of
Public (Autos, Dig-ins,
Vandalism, etc.)
Customer
Interruption: Animals
Customer
Interruption:
Distribution Equipment
Failure
DR
CAIDI is measured in units of time, typically minutes or
(rarely) hours. It is usually measured over the course of a
year.
Formula: (Total circuit automatic Outages*100)/Total Circuit
Miles
Units: # of sustained outages per 100 circuit miles per year
Acronym: SCOF-100Ctmi
Formula: (Total circuit automatic Outages*100)/Total Circuit
Miles
Units: # of momentary outages per 100 circuit miles per
year
Acronym: MCOF-100Ctmi
Formula: (Total circuit automatic Outages*100)/Total Circuit
Miles
Units: # of automatic outages per 100 circuit miles per year
Acronym: TCOF-100Ctmi
Customer interruptions caused by acts of the public, such
as vehicle contact with company distribution facilities, digins, vandalism, etc.
DR
Customer interruptions caused by animal contacts
DR
Customer interruptions caused by equipment failures on the
distribution system
23
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Customer
Interruption:
Generation Outages
Customer
Interruption: Lightning
Customer
Interruption: Major
Events
Customer
Interruption: Other
Customer
Interruption: Planned
Interruptions
Customer
Interruption:
Substation Outages
Customer
Interruption:
Transmission Outages
Customer
Interruption: Trees
Customer
Interruption: Weather
related [ex. lightning]
Delivery Point
DR
Customer interruptions caused by outages or shortage of
supply on the generation system
DR
DR
Customer interruptions caused by lightning, other than
major events
Customer interruptions during major events.
DR
All Others
DR
Customer interruptions due to planned (non-emergency)
events
DR
Customer interruptions caused by outages originating
"inside the substation fence"
DR
Customer interruptions caused by outages originating on
the transmission system
DR
Customer interruptions caused by trees or other vegetation
DR
Customer interruptions caused by inclement weather, other
than major events
TR
Element (TADS)
TR, SR
Element Momentary
Outage Frequency
TR, SR
The point at which power is either extracted from or injected
into the transmission grid. It can be a station or a stepdown/step-up transformer bank. The point that exists to
supply power to distribution or other customer stations
(e.g., large industrial customers) directly served from the
transmission grid.
The following are elements for which TADS data are to be
collected:
1) AC Circuits>= 200kV (overhead and underground);
2) transformers with >= 200kV low side voltage;
3) AC/DC Back to back converters with >= 200kV AC
voltage on both sides;
4) DC circuits with >= 200kV DC Voltage
Formula: Total Momentary Outages/ Total Elements
Units: # of momentary outages per element per year
Acronym: MOF
1QC Variation: none
Formula: Total Sustained Outage Hours/Total Elements
Units: # of automatic outage hours per element per year
Acronym: SODT
1QC Variation: Similar to Average circuit unavailability (aka
SAIDI), but has some differences in elements and voltage
levels
Formula: Total Sustained Outages/ Total Elements
Units: # sustained outages per element per year
Acronym: SOF
Element Sustained
TR
Outage Duration Time
Element Sustained
Outage Frequency
TR, SR
Definition
24
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Element Sustained
Outage Mean Time to
Repair
TR
Element Total
Automatic Outage
Frequency
TR, SR
IEEE Standard 1366
DR
Outage cause:
Animals
Outage cause:
Contamination –
Excluding bird
droppings
Outage cause:
Environmental
TR, SR
Outage cause: Failed
AC Circuit Equipment
TR, SR
Outage cause: Failed
AC Substation
Equipment
TR, SR
Outage cause: Failed
AC/DC Terminal
Equipment
TR, SR
Outage cause: Failed
DC Circuit Equipment
TR, SR
TR, SR
TR, SR
Definition
1QC Variation: none
Formula: Total Sustained Outage Hours/Total Sustained
Element Outages
Units: # of automatic outage hours per element outage per
year
Acronym: MTTR
1QC Variation: Similar to average duration of an outage
(aka CAIDI), but has some differences in elements and
voltage levels
Formula: Total Automatic Outages/ Total Elements
Units: # of automatic outages per element per year
Acronym: TOF
1QC variation: Similar to outage frequency with the
following differences: elements definition is not quite the
same as circuit (e.g. a transformer outage is counted as an
outage); only applies to elements >=200 kV; excludes
outages not triggered by automatic protection devices (e.g.
outages initiated by the operations center, usually "planned"
outages); includes momentary and sustained outages
IEEE Standard 1366 has become the major guide for
definitions on distribution reliability. Though not every utility
follows exactly, some of the key issues identified by this
standard include:
•
Outage duration to be considered an interruption
•
Definition of a major event (2.5 Beta Method)
Automatic outages caused by a bird (including streamers),
an animal, or contamination due to bird droppings
Automatic Outages caused by contamination dust,
corrosion, salt spray, industrial pollution, smog or ash.
Automatic Outages caused by environmental conditions
such as earth movement (including earthquake,
subsidence, earth slide), flood, geomagnetic storm, or
avalanche.
Automatic Outages related to the failure of AC Circuit
equipment, i.e., overhead or underground equipment
"outside the substation fence."
Automatic Outages caused by the failure of AC Substation;
i.e., equipment “inside the substation fence” including
Transformers and circuit breakers but excluding Protection
System equipment.
Automatic Outages caused by the failure of AC/DC
Terminal equipment, i.e., equipment "inside the terminal
fence" including PLC (power-line carrier) filters, AC filters,
reactors and capacitors, Transformers, DC valves,
smoothing reactors, and DC filters but excluding Protection
System equipment
Automatic Outages related to the failure of DC Circuit
equipment "outside the terminal fence." However, include
25
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
the failure of a connecting DC bus within an AC/DC Back
to-Back Converter in this category.
Automatic Outages caused by the failure of Protection
System equipment. Includes any relay and/or control
misoperations except those that are caused by incorrect
relay or control settings that do not coordinate with other
protective devices. Categorize these as "Human Error".
Automatic Outages caused by fire or smoke.
Automatic Outages caused by foreign interference from
such objects such as an aircraft, machinery, a vehicle, a
train, a boat, a balloon, a kite, flying debris not caused by
wind, and falling conductors from one line into another.
Foreign Interference is not due to an error by a utility
employee or contractor. Categorize these as “Human
Error.”
Automatic Outages caused by an incorrect action traceable
to employees and/or contractors for companies operating,
maintaining, and/or providing assistance to the
Transmission Owner will be identified and reported in this
category. Also, any human failure or interpretation of
standard industry practices and guidelines that cause an
outage will be reported in this category. Any incorrect
setting of relays will is excluded from this category, and
included in “Human Error – Inlcuding System Protection –
Settings Outages
Outage cause: Failed
Protection System
Equipment
TR, SR
Outage cause: Fire
Outage cause:
Foreign InterferenceExcluding birds, and
animals
TR, SR
TR, SR
Outage cause:
Human Error –
Excluding System
Protection – Settings
Outages
TR, SR
Outage cause:
Human Error –
Including System
Protection – Settings
Outages
TR, SR
Automatic Outages caused by incorrect relay settings
Outage cause:
Lightning
TR, SR
Automatic Outages caused by lightning
Outage cause: Power
system Condition
TR, SR
Outage cause:
Unavailable
TR, SR
Outage cause:
TR, SR
Automatic Outages caused by power system conditions
such as instability, overload trip, out-of-step, abnormal
voltage, abnormal frequency, or unique system
configurations (e.g. an abnormal terminal configuration due
to existing condition with one breaker already out of
service).
Use for Sustained Outages for which either the Initiating or
Sustained Cause Codes are unavailable to the
Transmission Owner. If a Transmission Owner uses this
code for Sustained Outages, it should be used on only one
type of Cause Code (initiating or Sustained), whichever is
unavailable.
Automatic Outages caused by unknown causes should be
26
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Unknown
Outage cause:
Vandalism, Terrorism
or Malicious Acts
Outage cause:
Vegetation
Section
TR, SR
TR, SR
Outage cause:
Weather, excl.
lightning
TR, SR
Percent MisOperation Rate for
Relays
SR
Percentage of
Elements with Zero
Automatic Outages
SAIDI
TR, SR
SAIFI
DR, SR
DR, SR
Definition
reported in this category.
Automatic Outages caused by intentional activity such as
shot conductors or insulators, removing bolts from
structures, and bombs.
Automatic Outages caused by vegetation with the following
exclusions: (1) Vegetation-related outages that result from
vegetation falling into lines from outside the right of way
that result from natural disasters shall not be considered
reportable with the Vegetation Cause Code. Examples of
disasters that could create non-reportable Vegetation
Cause Code outages include, but are not limited to,
earthquakes, fires, tornados, hurricanes, landslides, wind
shear, major storms as defined either by the Transmission
Owner or an applicable regulatory body, ice storms, and
floods, and (2) Vegetation-related outages due to human
or animal activity shall not be considered reportable under
the Vegetation Cause Code. Examples of human or animal
activity that could cause a non-reportable Vegetation Cause
Code outage include, but are not limited to, logging, animal
severing tree, vehicle contact with tree, arboricultural
activities or horticultural or agricultural activities, or removal
or digging of vegetation. Outages that fall under the
exclusions should be reported under another Cause Code
and not the Vegetation Cause Code.
Automatic Outages caused by weather such as snow,
extreme temperature, rain, hail, fog, sleet/ice, wind
(including galloping conductor), tornado, microburst, dust
storm, and flying debris caused by wind.
Formula: Number of times that protective relays did not
operate correctly/Total number of times that protective
relays operated or should have operated based on system
conditions
Formula: Total elements with Zero Automatic Outages/Total
Elements
Acronym: PCZO
The System Average Interruption Duration Index is
commonly used as a reliability indicator by electric power
utilities. SAIDI is the average outage duration for each
customer served, and is calculated as:
SAIDI =
sum of all customer interruption durations
total number of customers served
SAIDI is measured in units of time, often minutes or hours.
It is usually measured over the course of a year.
The System Average Interruption Frequency Index is
commonly used as a reliability indicator by electric power
utilities. SAIFI is the average outage frequency for each
customer served, and is calculated as:
SAIFI =
sum of all customer interruptions
total number of customers served
SAIFI is measured in units of interruptions per customer. It
27
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
is usually measured over the course of a year.
Sustained Outage
(TADS)
Transformer failures
TR, SR
Trouble Call
DR
Transmission Circuit
Interruptions Momentary Outages
TR
Transmission Circuit
Interruptions Sustained Outages
TR
Transmission Circuit
Interruptions Sustained Durations
SR
TR
An automatic outage with an outage duration of 1 minute or
greater
A failure is any loss of function that would require a
transformer unit to be taken out of service. A diagnostic test
that resulted in a planned outage would not necessarily be
considered a failure. Examples: fan, tap changer, coil,
bushing. For transmission transformers, this is regardless
of whether they are autotransformers or power transformers
A report of an electric service problem (e.g., lights out,
partial lights out, light flicker) and/or an electric hazard (e.g.,
wire down) that the company receives from a customer or
public agency and that translated into a unique work
activity. This include reports received through all types of
communication channels (telephone calls, IVR, Internet,
etc.) but does not include repeat calls or duplicate reports
about the same problem
The number of Momentary Transmission Circuit
Interruptions with a duration of less than 1 minute.
Successive momentary operations that occur within a oneminute time interval are to be rolled up and recorded as one
outage with the total duration equal to the sum of all
momentaries which occured within that one minute interval.
Count networked and customer lines. Count one end of a
networked line.
The number of Sustained Transmission Circuit Interruptions
with a duration equal to or greater than 1 minute. Count
networked lines until restored. Do not include planned or
scheduled outages.
A planned or scheduled outage is an outage that occured
because the facility was planned or scheduled to be taken
out of service for reasons such as routine maintenance,
construction, equipment testing, by request from an
external party, or for other routine operations of the facility.
It is not considered a planned or scheduled outage when a
facility is actively and voluntarily taken out in response to
system conditions, such as instability or underfrequency;
rather, this would be classified as a System Conditioncaused outage.
Duration is defined as the length of time it takes to restore
the facility to "pre-outage" or "design" condition, measured
in minutes.
The number of Minutes of Sustained Transmission Circuit
Interruptions with a duration equal to or greater than 1
minute. Count networked lines until restored. Do not
include planned or scheduled outages.
28
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Transmission
Delivery Points Sustained
Section
TR
Transmission
Customers
Interrupted Sustained
TR
Transmission MVA
Interrupted
Transmission
Delivery Points Duration in Minutes
TR
Transmission
Customers
Interrupted -
TR
TR
Definition
A planned or scheduled outage is an outage that occured
because the facility was planned or scheduled to be taken
out of service for reasons such as routine maintenance,
construction, equipment testing, by request from an
external party, or for other routine operations of the facility.
It is not considered a planned or scheduled outage when a
facility is actively and voluntarily taken out in response to
system conditions, such as instability or underfrequency;
rather, this would be classified as a System Conditioncaused outage.
This is the number of delivery points that encounter a
sustained interruption.
Per 1QCTBMG 1014, a delivery point refers to in-service
transmission delivery points (the point at which power is
either extracted from or injected into the transmission grid.
It can be a station or a step-down/step-up transformer
bank) that exist to supply power to distribution or other
customer stations (e.g., large industrial customers) which
are directly served from the transmission grid. NOTE:
Participants may complete 1QCTBMG 2025 and/or
1QCTBMG 2026.
This is the number of customers that encounter a sustained
interruption.
The number of customers refers to the total number of enduse customers that experienced an interruption from a
particular delivery point outage (see 1QCTBMG 1014). For
residental customers, use the total number of customers
served from that delivery point. For commercial, industrial,
or other utility end-use customers, assume each facility is
one "customer". NOTE: Participants may complete
1QCTBMG 2025 and/or 1QCTBMG 2026.
The MVA capacity associated with aforementioned delivery
points/customers that was unavailable due to the outage.
This is the total duration in minutes of delivery points that
encounter a sustained interruption.
Per 1QCTBMG 1014, a delivery point refers to in-service
transmission delivery points (the point at which power is
either extracted from or injected into the transmission grid.
It can be a station or a step-down/step-up transformer
bank) that exist to supply power to distribution or other
customer stations (e.g., large industrial customers) which
are directly served from the transmission grid. NOTE:
Participants may complete 1QCTBMG 2025 and/or
1QCTBMG 2026.
This is the number of delivery points that encounter a
momentary interruption.
29
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Momentary
Section
Definition
Per 1QCTBMG 1014, a delivery point refers to in-service
transmission delivery points (the point at which power is
either extracted from or injected into the transmission grid.
It can be a station or a step-down/step-up transformer
bank) that exist to supply power to distribution or other
customer stations (e.g., large industrial customers) which
are directly served from the transmission grid. NOTE:
Participants may complete 1QCTBMG 2025 and/or
1QCTBMG 2026.
30
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
PRACTICES, SMART GRID AND ASSET MANAGEMENT
ADMS (Advanced
Distribution
Management
System)
DP
Condition Based
Maintenance (CBM)
DP, SP
Cycle Time
DP2
Demand Response
(DR)
SG
Distribution
Automation (DA)
SG
Distribution
Management System
(DMS)
SG, DP
A system that fully integrates DMS, OMS, and EMS
/SCADA. It acts as a decision support system to assist
the distribution system operator and field operating
personnel with the monitoring and control of the electric
distribution system in an optimal manner while improving
safety and asset protection.
A program that makes non-invasive inspections of asset
condition and/or evaluates measures of asset
performance to determine if maintenance tasks should
be performed. Maintenance is performed after one or
more indicators show that equipment is going to fail or
that equipment performance is deteriorating.
This is the average number of days it takes to complete
a simple electric connection or design connection.
(where the start time is that all customer requirements
are in. and the stop time is that the electricity is flowing).
The start time is when the customer submits all prerequisites and deposit is paid to the time the service is
provisioned (ie., electricity starts flowing)
Programs and technologies that enable the utility system
to shed energy load during periods of peak consumption.
Consumers typically receive cash payments or discounts
from their energy provider for their willingness to shed
load. The load shedding may be accomplished under the
direct control of the utility system operator or by action of
the consumer at the request of the system operator or
energy provider (also see “Interruptible Load”)
A family of technologies, including sensors, processors,
communication networks and switches, that
automatically perform or assist the distribution system
operator in performing a number of critical functions to
improve distribution system reliability, service quality and
operational efficiency. The most common functions
supported today by DA technology are automatic
switching, reactive power compensation coordination
and fault locating, isolation and service restoration
(FLISR).
A collection of computer applications used to monitor
and control the electric distribution network efficiently
and reliably. It acts as a decision support system to
enable the distribution system operator to monitor loads,
voltage and other operating parameters, locate and
respond to system faults and monitor and operate
switching devices and capacitor banks on the distribution
31
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Energy Management
System (EMS)
TP
Engineering,
Procurement and
Construction (EPC)
Contracting
SP, TP
Engineering,
Procurement and
Construction
Management (EPCM)
Contracting
SP, TP
Fault Location,
Isolation and Service
Restoration (FLISR)
SG,DP
Flexible AC
Transmission
System (FACTS)
SG
Geographic
Information System
(GIS)
DP
Human Machine
Interface (HMI)
SG, SP
Intelligent Grid (or
Smart Grid)
SG, DP
Definition
system.
A collection of computer applications used by operators
of electric utility grids to monitor, control, and optimize
the performance of the generation and/or transmission
system. This computer technology is also sometimes
referred to as “EMS/SCADA”.
An arrangement where a single contractor is engaged to
provide engineering, procurement and construction
services for a project. The project is largely contractor
managed and the cost risk and control are weighted
towards the EPC contractor and away from the utility.
The EPC contractor either self-performs the construction
work or has direct contracts with other contractors to
perform the construction services.
An arrangement where a contractor is engaged to
provide engineering, procurement and construction
management services for a project. Other companies are
contracted by the utility directly to provide construction
services and they are usually managed by the EPCM
contractor on the utility’s behalf. The project is largely
utility managed and the cost risk and control is weighted
towards the utility and away from the EPCM contractor.
A function of distribution automation (DA) technology
that is used to locate faults on the electric distribution
system and recommend device operation (or
automatically operate devices) to isolate the fault and
restore service to customers.
FACTS is defined by the IEEE as "a power electronic
based system and other static equipment that provide
control of one or more AC transmission system
parameters to enhance controllability and increase
power transfer capability."
A system designed to capture, store, manipulate,
analyze, manage, and present all types of geographical
data. At electric utilities, a GIS is commonly used to
maintain records of the geographic location of all electric
T&D facilities and equipment, referenced to a land base.
The system is used to produce maps and other types
geographic displays and is often the system that utilities
use to create and maintain an electric connectivity model
that is used by their OMS and DMS systems
The user interface of a mechanical system. At electric
utilities, this term generally refers to computer
technology through which people operate utility
equipment
An intelligent grid uses two-way communication. Data
flows into the utility operation center from all points over
the grid, including transformers, SCADA equipment,
meters, street lights, traffic/security cameras, and energy
32
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Interruptible Load
SG
Life Cycle Costing
AM
Load Tap Changer
(LTC)
SG, SP
Looped Circuit
DP
Network Circuit
DP
New Business
Process
DP
Percent of Load That
is Interruptible
SG
Pilot/Limited Basis
Quality Management
System (QMS)
SP, TP
Definition
management units in homes or businesses. The utility
can also send outgoing data streams to operate switches
and other devices, deliver real-time pricing information to
customer premises, connect/disconnect meters, or
activate load control units.
Refers to programs where utilities have contractual
arrangements with consumers that permit the utility to
interrupt consumer load at times of peak demand. The
interruption may be accomplished by direct control of the
utility system operator or by action of the consumer at
the request of the system operator or energy provider
An asset decision-making approach that considers all
costs associated with owning and using an asset over its
full life span including initial purchase costs, installation
costs, operating costs, maintenance and upgrade costs
and remaining residual or salvage value at the end of its
useful life
A connection point selection mechanism on the output
(load) side of a power transformer winding that allows a
varying number of winding turns to be selected in
discrete steps. This enables stepped voltage regulation
of the output as loading conditions change.
The final connection to the customer is from a two-ended
circuit with an open switch at or near the center, so that
service may be restored manually by operating switches
in case of a failure of any section of the circuit.
Secondary network typical of downtown urban areas
where multiple primary sources are parallel-connected
on the secondary side and protected by automated
switches (“network protectors”).
From the initial contact and request by the new customer
through to the completion/installation of the service. The
request is primarily to set-up/install/connect a specific
new customer at the distribution or transmission level to
generate additional revenues. Does not include in-kind,
reliability, or work to meet general increase in system
load. Includes new meter set or major panel upgrade,
extension, adding of meters to generate new business
Formula: MW of load for a customer class that the utility
can interrupt/shed at times of peak demand (based on
contractual arrangements) divided by the total MW of
load for that customer class at time of peak demand
Technology implementations that currently affect 5% or
fewer of the utility's distribution customers
A quality management system (QMS) is a collection of
business processes focused on achieving quality policy
and quality objectives to meet customer requirements. It
is expressed through a formal organizational structure, a
set of policies and procedures and human resources
specifically assigned to quality review/verification
33
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Radial Circuit
DP
Reliability Centered
Maintenance (RCM)
AM, SP
Remote Terminal
Unit (RTU)
SG,SP
Smart Grid
Wide-spread Basis
SG
Definition
activities
Primary comes from a single source, terminating without
any tie to another source. Even though the main-line
primary may have ties to other main-lines, the end of the
circuit at the customer has no tie.
Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) is a program
that uses a structured framework for analyzing the
functions and potential failure modes for a physical asset
with a focus on preserving system functions in a costeffective manner. RCM is used to develop scheduled
maintenance plans that provide an acceptable level of
operability, with an acceptable level of risk, in an efficient
and cost-effective manner.
A microprocessor controlled electronic device that
interfaces objects in the physical world to a distributed
control or SCADA system. It transmits telemetry data to
the control system and messages from the control
system.
See “Intelligent Grid”
Technology implementations that affect the majority of
the utility's distribution customers.
34
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
COMMON TERMS:
Breakers
Many
Design
Many
Designer
Many
Distributed
Generation (DG)
Many
Distributed Storage
Many
Distribution
Operations Center
Many
Engineer
Many
Engineering
Many
Estimated
Restoration Time
(ERT)
Many
Estimating
Many
A circuit breaker is an automatically-operated electrical
switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage
caused by overload or short circuit. Unlike a fuse, which
operates once and then has to be replaced, a circuit
breaker can be reset (either manually or automatically) to
resume normal operation.
Design is the final application of the engineering standards
or guidelines to fit each unique system need (e.g. a new
service, new line, reconductored line, etc.). Complex
designs can be very challenging, with substantial judgment
required, and standards simply serving as a starting point,
or relatively simple, where application of the relevant
standard means there is relatively little judgment or
creativity required.
Someone with a 2-year degree, or perhaps more limited
formal education, combined with job-related experience.
Job duties typically involve new services or simple system
elements not requiring full engineering training.
Small scale power generation sources (generally in the
range of 1 kW to 10,000 kW) which are connected to the
electric distribution system rather than to the transmission
network.
Use of devices at various locations on the T&D system to
store electricity for use when demand exceeds supply.
Office location(s) where the following functions are
performed: Monitoring and operating the distribution
system; issuing switching orders; dispatching and
managing troubleshooters and crews responding to
outages and other emergency conditions such as downwires;
Typically a person with a 4-year degree in Engineering who
completes complex system designs, analyses system
performance and operating problems, develops design
construction and maintenance standards, etc.
Engineering begins with development and maintenance of
standards for use in designing individual jobs. It also
includes determining the final solution to system needs, be
it creation of a new line, upgrade of an existing one, or
some other related choice.
The estimated time when electric service will be restored
after a service interruption occurs. This estimated time may
be communicated to customers through a variety of
communication channels
This is the activity associated with forecasting the costs
associated with performance of the full range of
35
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Estimator
Many
Facilities
Many
Initiative
Many
Outage Management
System (OMS)
Many
Planner
Many
Planning
Many
Practice
Many
Primary
Many
Renewable Power
Generation
Many
SCADA
Many
Secondary
Many
Definition
engineering/design activity, along with the construction
activity, to complete a given project.
Most often someone with job-related experience, without
necessarily any formal education beyond high school.
A company building that serves as an office location,
storeroom location and/or a location where field crews park
their trucks and start and finish their day. This may include
substations, if you use them for any of these purposes
A new activity, program, or process where success or
failure is being tracked but it is too soon to tell the outcome.
Outage management systems are software systems that
integrate geographical information systems,
electrical topology, and customer information systems to
predict portions of distribution circuits that are
interrupted (usually based on customer calls) and manage
the response to these interruptions. The OMS may include
functionality to aid the coordination of work crews and
management of all reliability data for reliability reporting.
Most often a person with a 4-year Engineering degree
whose primary role is determining the need for upcoming
capital projects (see the term “Planning”)
The act of determining the upcoming needs for capital
projects. It includes identifying where new and/or
reconfigured lines and stations will be needed, and
arranging for or performing the initial engineering work to
determine the best overall solution for the need. This
planning is typically based on forecasts of the electric
system load, combined with understanding the system
design and philosophy.
An activity, program, or process that has been in place for a
while where it is possible to measure the outcome (success
or failure)
Refers to circuits and equipment operated at Distribution
Voltage levels which, for purposes of this survey, are
defined as voltages greater than 1 kV and less than 46 kV
Electric power generation that uses energy sources that are
naturally replenished on a human time scale such as
sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, geothermal heat,
biomass, etc. Renewable power generation may
be connected to electric grids at either the transmission or
distribution level and can be very large (e.g., a regional
wind farm connected to the transmission grid),very small
(e.g., a residential roof-top solar panel connected to the
distribution system) or anywhere in between.
SCADA is the acronym for Supervisory Control And Data
Acquisition. SCADA systems are typically used to perform
data collection and control at the substation level. Some
systems are called SCADA despite only performing data
acquisition and not control.
Refers to circuits and equipment operated at <1kV
36
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Substations
Many
Definition
A location on the electric T&D system that contains
equipment which transforms voltage from a higher level to a
lower level, or the reverse, and/or which performs high
voltage switching and other important functions.
Substations typically have one or more transformers and
switching, protection and control equipment all located
within a fenced area, a building or an underground vault.
Substations are further classified based on their primary
function.
1. Transmission Substations provide connections
between two or more transmission lines and
may convert voltage between higher and lower
transmission voltage levels.
2. Distribution Substations transfer power from the
transmission system to the distribution circuits
that serve a geographic area, reducing voltage
from transmission to distribution levels. Some
systems also have intermediate substations that
convert between higher and lower distribution
voltage levels which are also classified as
Distribution Substations.
In the U.S., FERC provides a series of guidelines for
classifying substation sites based on function. When both
transmission and distribution functions exist at one site,
FERC offers the option of splitting a substation site into its
transmission and distribution components or classifying the
entire site as transmission or distribution based on its
predominant use. We would encourage members to split
the site and report its transmission and distribution
components as separate substations.
Our standard guideline is that substations should be
classified based on their LOW side voltage:
 If the low side voltage is 46kV or higher, the
substation should be classified as Transmission.
 If the low side voltage is less than 46kV, the
substation should be classified as Distribution.
Technician
Many
Transformers
Many
Often a person with a 2-year degree, or one with more
limited formal education, but with job-related experience
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy
between two circuits through electromagnetic induction and
typically converts the voltage level at the input side to lower
or higher voltage at the output side. The major types of
transformers that are addressed in our benchmarking
survey are:
1. Power Transformers, which are located in
substations and have separate windings on their
input and output sides.
37
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
2. Autotransformers, which are also located in
substations but which have a winding that is shared
by both the input and output sides.
3. Distribution Transformers (sometimes called “Line
Transformers”), which are located on poles, on
concrete pads or in underground vaults, and which
reduce voltage from distribution levels on the
input/primary side to less than 1,000 volts on the
output/secondary side.
Transmission
Operations Center
Many
The office location(s) where the following functions are
performed with respect to the transmission system:
Monitoring and operating the transmission system,
dispatching troubleshooters and crews during emergency
situations, managing safety through the tag-out process ,
issuing switching orders
Underground
Network System
Many
Underground
Residential
Distribution (URD)
Many
A type of electric distribution construction used primarily in
metropolitan areas where the primary and secondary cable
is installed under streets and alleys in a concrete conduit
and manhole system .The distribution equipment
components such as switchgear and transformers are also
installed underground in vaults, often located in the
basements of buildings. These systems have multiple
primary circuits which are paralleled on the secondary side
of the distribution transformers. Thus, customers served
from the secondary side are being fed continuously from
two or more primary circuit sources. The distribution
transformers have secondary breakers, sometimes referred
to as “network protectors”, which are relayed to open in the
event of a fault on the primary circuit source (reverse power
flow) and automatically close when conditions are such that
forward power flow can be restored.
A type of electric distribution construction where the primary
and secondary cable is installed below grade, either directly
in the ground (“direct-buried”) or in plastic conduit. The
distribution equipment components such as switchgear,
transformers and secondary terminals or pedestals may
either be installed above grade, on foundation pads, or
below grade, in an enclosure or vault. This type of
construction was initially used only in residential areas but
now is used widely in commercial and industrial
developments as well.
38
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
SUBSTATION REFURBISHMENT
Term
Distribution
Substation
Question
#’s
A1
Definition
Locations on the electric T&D system that convert power
from a transmission voltage to a distribution voltage and
those that convert between higher and lower distribution
voltages (see Common section of glossary for definitions
of “transmission” and “distribution”.
Substations typically have one or more transformers and
switching, protection and control equipment located within
a fenced area, a building or an underground vault. For
the purposes of this survey, do not include small, polemounted or pad-mounted step-down transformers which
are sometimes referred to as “mini-substations”
Substation Type –
“Mixed/Suburban”
A1, C2
A distribution substation serving a geographic area that
has 50 to 250 customers per square mile
Substation Type –
“Rural”
A1, C2
A distribution substation serving a geographic area that
has fewer than 50 customers per square mile
Substation Type –
“Urban”
A1, C2
A distribution substation serving a geographic area that
has more than 250 customers per square mile
Transformer
(XFRMR)
A1, A2,
C2
For all of the distribution substation power transformer
statistics collected in this survey, report the number of
three phase banks.
Average
Transformer
Loading at Peak
(%)
A5
“Peak Load MVA at Non-Coincident Peak” divided by
“Installed MVA Capacity” (see Glossary definitions below
for these two terms)
Installed MVA
Capacity
A5
The sum of the total rated capacity of all distribution
substation transformers at normal operating conditions.
We recognize that rated capacity may be determined in
different ways by different companies. U.S. companies
should use the number reported on FERC Form 1.
Peak Load MVA at
Non-Coincident
Peak
A5
The sum of all individual substation transformer peak load
MVA values recorded during the year. These individual
substation peak load MVA values may have occurred at
different times and at times different than the time of the
peak demand on the overall system
39
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
Substation
Refurbishment
Approach – “Full
Station Rebuild’
B1, B2
A refurbishment project at a specific substation is
considered when certain critical components are
determined to be in need of replacement. At that time, the
entire substation is completely rebuilt on-site with all
existing components being removed/demolished and
replaced with new components.
Substation
Refurbishment
Approach –
“Individual
ComponentFocused”
Substation
Refurbishment
Approach –
“Station Centric”
B1, B2
Individual substation components are evaluated
separately and any needed component replacement,
rebuild or reconditioning work is completed through
separate, component-focused refurbishment projects over
a period of several years.
B1, B2
A refurbishment project at a specific substation is
considered when certain critical components are
determined to be in need of replacement or major
rebuild/reconditioning work. At that time, all of the other
substation components are evaluated and a single,
comprehensive substation refurbishment project is
initiated to replace or rebuild/recondition all components
of the substation that require attention.
Substation
Evaluation Method
– “Visual
Inspection”
Substation
Evaluation Method
– “Testing”
B4
The condition of a substation component is evaluated
based on a visual inspection in the field
B4
The condition of a substation component is evaluated
based on specific tests that are performed, including tests
performed while the equipment is off-line and any tests
that may be performed while the equipment is in
operation. This also includes testing of oil samples to
determine the level of component deterioration that has
occurred
Substation
Evaluation Method
–
“Current/Forecast
Loading”
Substation
Evaluation Method
– “Maintenance
History & Costs”
Substation
Evaluation Method
– “Environmental
Risk Analysis”
B4
Current equipment loading data is monitored and
forecasted to help predict the future performance and
condition of the substation component
B4
Historical maintenance history and cost data is evaluated
to determine the level of component deterioration that has
occurred
B4
Environmental risks associated with the continued
operation of substation components are evaluated to
determine the need for component rebuild, reconditioning
or replacement.
40
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
Integrated Modules
B8, C4
Where multiple substation components (e.g. transformers,
bus structures, breakers and associated protection
equipment) are mounted on a platform and installed in the
field as a single, integrated unit.
Project Costs –
Contract
Labor/Services
Commissioning
Labor
Project Costs –
Company
Commissioning
Direct Labor
C3
The cost of commissioning activities for refurbished
substations that were performed by either “contract labor”
or a “contract service” as defined in the Common section
of this glossary
C3, C4
The costs of salaries, wages and benefits paid to
company employees who were directly engaged in
commissioning activities for refurbished substations. See
the Common section this glossary for further definition of
what costs should be included in this direct labor cost
component
Project Costs –
Company
Commissioning
Direct Labor
Overheads
Project Costs –
Contract
Labor/Services
Construction Labor
Project Costs –
Company
Construction Direct
Labor
C3, C5
Any and all costs that were accumulated and distributed
as overheads to company commissioning direct labor for
refurbished substations. See the Common section of this
glossary for further definition of what costs should be
included in this overheads cost component
The cost of construction activities for refurbished
substations that were performed by either “contract labor”
or a “contract service” as defined in the Common section
of this glossary
The costs of salaries, wages and benefits paid to
Company employees who were directly engaged in
construction activities for refurbished substations. See the
Common section in this glossary for further definition of
what costs should be included in this direct labor cost
component
Project Costs –
Company
Construction Direct
Labor Overheads
C3, C5
C3
C3, C4
Project Costs –
C3
Company
Construction
Vehicle/Equipment
Project Costs –
C3
Contract
Labor/Services
Engineering/Design
Any and all costs that were accumulated and distributed
as overheads to the company construction direct labor for
refurbished substations. See the Common section of this
glossary for further definition of what costs should be
included in this overheads cost component
The cost of company construction vehicles and
equipment used in substation refurbishment activities and
charged to individual projects based on internal fleet
charge-out rates
The cost of engineering and design activities for
refurbished substations that were performed by either
“contract labor” or a “contract service” as defined in the
Common section of this glossary
41
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
Project Costs –
C3, C4
Company
Engineering/Design
The costs of salaries, wages and benefits paid to
Company employees who were directly engaged in
engineering and design activities for refurbished
substations. See the Common section in this glossary for
further definition of what costs should be included in this
direct labor cost component
Project Costs –
C3, C5
Company
Engineering/Design
Direct Labor
Overheads
Any and all costs that were accumulated and distributed
as overheads to company engineering and design direct
labor for refurbished substations. See the Common
section of his glossary for further definition of what costs
should be included in this overheads cost component
Project Costs Equipment and
Material Costs
C3
Project Costs -Other
C3
The full cost of new equipment and materials installed at
the refurbished substation, including stores loading cost
allocations and/or vendor charges for transporting
equipment and material to the site, as applicable.
Any costs charged to a substation refurbishment project
that do not fall under one of the other specific project cost
components defined in this section of the glossary
Project Costs Total Project Cost
C3
The total cost of a substation refurbishment project as
recorded in the company’s accounting system
Outsourced Work
%
C3
The estimated percentage of the total amount of work of a
given type (Commissioning, Construction or Engineering
& Design) on a substation refurbishment project that was
performed by “contract labor” or a “contract service”, as
defined in the common section of this glossary. This %
may be estimated based on physical work quantities,
standard labor hours or other methods.
Project Hours –
C3
Company
Commissioning
Labor Hours
Project Hours –
C3
Company
Construction Labor
Hours
Project Hours –
C3
Company
Engineering/Design
Labor Hours
Total person-hours of company labor engaged in
commissioning activities for refurbished substations.
Total person-hours of company labor engaged in
construction activities for refurbished substations.
Total person-hours of company labor engaged in
engineering and design activities for refurbished
substations.
42
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
POLE REPLACEMENT
Term
Pole
Refurbishment
Method –
“Epoxy”
Pole
Refurbishment
Method “Retreatment
Rod”
Question
#’s
D8, E9
Definition
D8, E9
Solid rods containing boron and fluoride are inserted into
pre-drilled holes around the ground-line region of inservice poles. In the presence of moisture, the rods
dissolve, releasing active ingredients which kill decay and
provide protection to the sound wood from further insect
attack
An epoxy fluid is injected into damaged areas of inservice poles (cracks, splits, holes) to retard the
deterioration of a specific area.
Pole
D8, E9
Refurbishment
Method “Truss/Stubbing”
A metal device is secured around or attached to an inservice pole to restore strength ratings and prolong the
life of the pole.
Pole
Refurbishment
Method - “Wrap”
D8, E9
A pliable material is wrapped around an in-service pole to
protect the pole from external decay and potential
damage from animals or insects
Pole Inspection
Cycle Time
Pole Inspection
Type – “Bore”
D11, E3
The number of years between scheduled pole inspections
E2, E3
Pole Inspection
Type –
“Excavation”
E2, E3
Pole Inspection
Type –“Patrol”
Pole Inspection
Type – “Visual”
E2, E3
Where an inspector will bore inspection holes after
hammer sounding to more thoroughly examine areas
where decay is suspected.
Where the inspector will access a portion of the pole
below grade (usually no more than 24”), helping to
identify external decay and termites. This is typically
coupled with sound and bore.
When resources are scheduled to drive lines/circuits
looking for obvious signs of pole deterioration.
When resources are scheduled to walk lines/circuits
looking for detailed signs of pole deterioration.
Pole Inspection
Type –
“Ultrasonic”
E2, E3
Where an inspector uses electronic equipment to
measure the movement of sound waves through a pole.
These methods depend on theories, such as frequency or
time of flight of a sonic wave, or physical characteristics
such as hardness, to identify anomalies.
Pole Inspection
Type – “Sound”
E2, E3
Where the inspector strikes the pole with a hammer
identify areas where decay is suspected.
E2, E3
43
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
# of Inspections
Planned
E6
The number of pole inspections that were planned to be
completed in a specific year as of the start of that year
# of Inspections
Actually
Completed
Costs - Contract
Labor/Services
E6
The number of pole inspections that were actually
completed during a specific year
E7, F6,
F7, F8
Costs - Company
Direct Labor
E7, F6,
F7, F8
The cost of contract labor and/or contract services that
were used in pole inspection, pole replacement, pole
refurbishment or emergency pole replacement activities.
The costs of salaries, wages and benefits paid to
Company employees who were directly engaged in pole
inspection, pole replacement, pole refurbishment or
emergency pole replacement activities. See the Common
section in this glossary for further definition of what costs
should be included in this direct labor cost component
Costs - Company
Direct Labor
Overheads
E7, F6,
F7, F8
Any and all costs that were accumulated and distributed
as overheads to direct labor charges for pole inspection,
pole replacement, pole refurbishment or emergency pole
replacement activities. See the Common section of this
glossary for further definition of what costs should be
included in this overheads cost component
Costs –
Equipment
E7, F6,
F7, F8
The cost of vehicles and equipment used in the pole
inspection, pole replacement, pole refurbishment or
emergency pole replacement activities, based on the
company’s internal fleet charge-out rates
Costs - Materials
E7, F6,
F7, F8
The cost of all materials used in the pole inspection, pole
replacement, pole refurbishment or emergency pole
replacement activities including stores loading cost
allocations and/or vendor charges for transporting
material to the site, as applicable (including the costs of
new poles)
Total Company
Labor Hours
E7, F6,
F7, F8
Total person-hours of company labor used in the pole
inspection, pole replacement, pole refurbishment or
emergency pole replacement activities
Pole Inspection
Result –
“Serviceable –
No Work
Needed”
Pole Inspection
Result –
“Serviceable –
Preventive
Refurbishment
Applied”
E10
Based on inspection, the pole was found to be operating
as intended and in no need of any refurbishment work or
other corrective action.
E10
Based on inspection, the pole was found to be operating
as intended and in no need of any corrective action other
than preventive refurbishment treatment that was applied
in at the time the inspection.
44
2016 Transmission & Distribution Glossary
Term
Section
Definition
Pole Inspection
Result “Immediate
Replacement
Required”
Pole Inspection
Result
“Requires
Replacement
Before the Next
Inspection
Cycle”
Pole Inspection
Result –
“Requires
Refurbishment
Before the Next
Inspection
Cycle”
E10
Based on inspection, the pole was found to be in need of
immediate replacement. These poles are deemed unsafe.
E10
Based on inspection, the pole was found to be in need of
replacement some time before the next planned
inspection. The pole replacement work can be scheduled
to allow for a more efficient operation
E10
Based on inspection, the pole was found to be in need of
refurbishment some time before the next planned
inspection. The pole refurbishment work can be
scheduled to allow for a more efficient operation
Poles Replaced
F3
The total number of poles replaced as a result of a pole
inspection program, including those which were classified
as “Immediate Replacement Required” as well as those
classified as “Requires Inspection Before Next Inspection
Cycle”.
Poles
Refurbished
F3
The total number of poles refurbished as a result of a pole
inspection program
Poles
Emergency
Replacement
Person-Hours
Needed
F8
The total number of poles replaced as a result of failure in
the field, excluding failures during significant storm events
G1, G2,
G3, G4
Total person-hours of labor that is typically expended
during a specific step of the pole replacement job which is
described in the scenario. Include all activity at the job
site but exclude travel time to and from the job site.
45