At Garland Power & Light (GP&L; Garland, Texas) linemen use two-way radios and mobile phones around the clock to communicate with crews and the systems operations center.

Mobile phones are typically used for nonsystem conversations, such as ordering material, requesting line locates or communicating between other crews and coordinators. But for more critical procedures, such as switching of the system, linemen are required to use only the company’s two-way radio system.

These radios are the most important piece of equipment GP&L linemen carry. With them, they are able to stay in contact with all the crews, coordinators, engineers, substation personnel and system operators. All switching is done over the radio. For accuracy and clear communications, GP&L linemen are required to follow a standard operating procedure for how it is carried out.

The Control Center
GP&L’s operations center, run by system operators, is where the entire transmission and distribution system is managed. By remote equipment, the operators can control the breakers, reclosers, transformers, bus voltage and system voltage. They also receive trouble calls and route troubleshooters to the customer sites to investigate and repair problems. Additionally, the operators issue switching orders or “one shots” on GP&L feeders. The linemen call this a right-of-way (ROW) on the feeder.

Using the radios, crews contact the system operator to request that the reclosing relay be turned off on a feeder or circuit that they will be working on. Once the relay is in a nonclosing status, a ROW is issued; the crew becomes sole owner of that particular circuit.

The process begins with a crewmember being assigned the role of requesting a ROW on the feeder during the morning’s tailgate discussion. The crewmember references feeder maps or feeder books kept in each truck to identify the feeder. The crewmember then contacts the system operator to request the recloser be turned off on that feeder.

Standard Radio Procedures
The standard operating procedure for recloser requests via the radio is as follows:

 The crewmember announces to the system operator that he or she is requesting the recloser be turned off on a feeder, and gives the operator the exact location using street name, cross street and an air switch number. (At this time, the crew does not give the feeder or circuit number to the operator. These are read back by the operator later in the process to double check the accuracy of the location.)
 The system operator repeats the location back to the caller.
 The crewmember responds with “That’s correct” or “That’s not correct.” (We never use 10-4 for ROW or clearances during this procedure.)
 The system operator references his or her feeder maps and turns the recloser off for that circuit.
 The system operator then radios the crew back with the ROW order. For example, the system operator might say to the crew: “At 10:30, I have issued you a ROW on Brand 4.”
 The crewmember responds: “At 10:30, you have issued me a ROW on Brand 4.”
 The system operator responds: “That’s correct.”
 If the system operator had said anything different than “ROW requested on Brand 4,” the crewmember making the request would question the operator. (On occasion, feeders may have been switched around and the system operator would tell the crew it has been switched. At this point, the crews will double check the configuration of the feeder.)

These standard operating procedures have eliminated any miscommunications during critical changes to our system. Without them, lives and reliable delivery of service could be put at risk.

By announcing this ROW process over the radio, other crews and foremen are aware of what the crews are doing. GP&L field maintenance workers develop an extra set of “ears” to listen to the radios all day long. If an accident were to happen at a work site, other crews and foremen could respond quickly to either assist in restoring the power or to help a crewmember in need.

Radios are a critical link to system operations. GP&L uses them around the clock to help ensure continued reliable electric service delivery for its customers as well as the safety of its personnel.

Sonie Jackson is transmission and distribution coordinator at Garland Power & Light in Garland, Texas. He also serves as rodeo coordinator for the GP&L linemen participating in the International Lineman’s Rodeo, where team members earned five of the top 10 finishes at the October 2006 event in Kansas City, Kansas. sjackson@garlandpower-light.org