OPERATION & MAINTENANCE OF POWER PLANTS
Durable signage in power plants will help prevent accident and downtime, this article explores techniques for creating lasting lettering
SIGN OF THE TIMES E
lectric utility transmission and distribution identification products such as safety signs, tags, and markers are
critical to safe, efficient operation, maintenance, and repair of substations and other sites since they must effectively convey key information regarding location, type of equipment and danger to personnel. Unfortunately, traditional painted and laminated identification products frequently fade or delaminate when exposed to outdoor weather or punishing conditions leading to costly mistakes or lost time.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SIGNAGE In substations, identification products may warn of arc flash and shock hazard, which the Occupational,
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states can result in ‘serious injury and even death.’ Markers and tags typically specify when Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) is necessary before the set-up, maintenance, service, or repair of energised equipment. Substation structure numbers are also necessary for rapid ID and servicing. On large, high-voltage transmission towers crossing and direction signs signal trouble areas. Phase tags are also commonly used to indicate phase polarity on the towers, important because connecting the wrong phases can lead to dangerous explosions, serious injury and downtime. Transmission towers also use aerial observation pole tags for rapid identification and better visibility to aircraft. Smaller, lower-voltage distribution
lines deliver power to homes and businesses on smaller poles. Pole identification products, such as tags and markers, are used to track and identify assets, data, and other vital information. Pole tags can also be used to identify the pole’s owner, maintenance history, and other valuable data.
LASTING SAFETY So, how can safety signage be designed and constructed to ensure durability? Well, for applications with the longest lasting requirements, impermanent solutions should be avoided in favor of products that use robust substrate or embossed characters. When lasting transmission and distribution markers are required, a pole badge or pole markers can be constructed with unpainted, embossed
When the signs were subjected to the equivalent of 30 years of UV exposure, salt spray, vibration, abrasion, and temperature variation, the test results showed no change in color or legibility
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