NIPSCO Circuit Reliability - Worst Tap Program
Overview:
Each year, NIPSCO identifies “worst taps”, circuits with three or more outages, and prioritizes them for assessment. TWG received assignments of 20 taps at a time, requiring investigations of roughly a mile of infrastructure per tap. With an experienced engineering and field team already in place, TWG adapted quickly, developing new processes and conducting training so crews could identify subtle field issues and recommend effective, low-cost solutions to reduce outages.
What TWG Delivered:
– Circuit Assessments: Investigated worst-performing taps to identify root causes of outages.
– Engineering Oversight: Licensed engineers provided analysis and guided evaluation methods.
– Field Team Training: Introduced investigative training to improve field diagnostics.
– Program Coordination: Managed the Worst Tap and Pole Replacement programs simultaneously.
– Practical Solutions: Recommended cost-effective measures to improve reliability.
Results:
TWG helped NIPSCO stay on schedule and improve reliability across repeatedly affected circuits. Our investigative approach, training, and technical guidance strengthened system performance and expanded our ongoing partnership, with new opportunities anticipated through 2026.
