How to Enhance Power System Reliability with Rauckman’s Bushing and Conductor Covers

In the electric utility sector, ensuring a seamless power supply is a critical concern. Rauckman innovatively addresses this through our bushing and conductor covers, which play an essential role in averting one of the subtler yet frequent reasons for power disruptions: the interaction with wildlife.

Bushing Covers: A Cover-Up Solution for Wildlife-Induced Outages

Rauckman’s Bushing Covers are an essential product in our animal mitigation product line. These covers serve a vital role in preventing animals, such as squirrels and birds, from creating fatal and costly phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground connections on pole-mounted distribution transformers. The significance of this innovation lies in its ability to minimize power outages caused by wildlife, thereby enhancing the overall reliability of power systems, and reducing unplanned service interruption

Engineered for Durability and Safety

The Bushing Cover is not just a cover but a sophisticated piece of engineering. It is crafted from a high performance polymer, specially formulated to meet the stringent demands of the electric utility industry. This material is track-resistant, ensuring that it remains effective over time without degradation in performance.

Flexible polymer material. Photo source: Electronics Weekly

Furthermore, the cover boasts high Ultra-Violet (UV) stability, incorporating Hindered Amine Light Stabilization (HALS) technology. This feature is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the cover under various environmental conditions, particularly under constant exposure to sunlight.

In addition to its resilience against environmental factors, Rauckman’s Bushing Cover is designed with safety as a priority. It possesses Flame Retardant properties, meeting the V-0 criteria of the Underwriters’ Laboratory Standard of UL-94. This certification is a testament to the product’s ability to withstand and inhibit the spread of fire, ensuring a safer power distribution network.

Conductor Covers: Enhancing Safety and Reliability

Complementing the Bushing Covers, Rauckman’s Conductor Covers are another innovative solution designed to improve the reliability and safety of power distribution systems.

Unique Design for Optimal Performance

These covers are made from an engineered formula, chosen for its track resistance and suitability for the electric utility industry’s rigorous requirements. The conductor covers feature a unique pre-slit design with a generous material overlap. This design is the result of a unique manufacturing process that not only ensures the cover’s flexibility but also its ability to retain its shape and characteristics over time.

The conductor features a pre-made slit to ensure stability.

Tested for Endurance

Rauckman’s commitment to quality and durability is evident in the rigorous testing these conductor covers undergo. They maintain all their characteristics even after 2500 hours in ASTM G-154 UV and Humidity test conditions. This level of endurance testing ensures that the covers can withstand harsh environmental conditions while continuing to provide reliable protection.

All Rauckman Utility Products meet ASTM standards.

A Step Towards More Reliable Power Distribution

Rauckman’s Bushing and Conductor Covers represent a significant advancement in the effort to mitigate power outages caused by wildlife. With our specialized design, high-quality materials, and rigorous testing, these products are essential components in ensuring a more reliable and safer power distribution network.

Bushing Cover

Animal Mitigation, Product Articles|

How Smart is a Squirrel? Why Squirrel Intelligence Necessitates Superior Protection

Utility infrastructure forms the backbone of our modern world, powering homes, businesses, and essential services. The continuous and reliable flow of this power is critical. While we often attribute disruptions to weather events or technical issues, a surprisingly agile and intelligent adversary is sometimes at play: the squirrel. Their behavior, as benign as it may appear, can pose significant risks to the utility network, emphasizing the need for superior protection.

How smart is a squirrel?

At a glance, squirrels may seem harmless, but their natural behavior and intelligence can lead to unintentional disruptions. These creatures are adaptors, problem solvers, and possess an uncanny ability to navigate challenges. It’s this very capability that sometimes sees them navigate and interfere with utility infrastructure, leading to unexpected outages or damage.

The Real Cost to Utility Networks

The Need for Superior Protection

Given the costs involved, it is beneficial for utilities to employ advanced protection mechanisms:

Improve Service with Superior Protection

While squirrels are a fascinating testament to nature’s adaptability, their interaction with utility infrastructure underscores a pressing challenge. We understand the profound importance of safeguarding our essential networks from all threats, no matter how small they might seem. Investing in superior protection is not just a financial decision; it’s a commitment to uninterrupted service, safety, and the conservation of natural species.

Stinger Cover

Animal Mitigation, News & Information|

The HOLDTAG Tagging Device R-TD2: Redefining Superiority in the Electric Utility Sector

In a world where precise and durable equipment is undeniably crucial, we aim to continue to elevate the standards for electric utility tools. Introducing the HOLDTAG Tagging Device R-TD2 – a product built with a clear understanding of the nuances and demands of electric utility applications. Its unique design and unmatched features position it leagues ahead of competing products. Here’s why:

In conclusion, Rauckman’s HOLDTAG Tagging Device is more than just a tagging device; it’s a commitment to efficiency, durability, and precision. While there might be many tagging devices on the market, few can boast the superior design and functionality of the R-TD2. Upgrade to the best and experience the difference for yourself.

BlockJaw Terminal Block Tagging

News & Information, Product Articles|

The ZAPshield: The Pinnacle of Animal Mitigation Solutions

In the world of utility infrastructure, the continuous and uninterrupted flow of electricity is paramount. Interruptions, especially those caused by animals, can lead to outages, substantial financial losses, and even harm to the animals themselves. We want to highlight one of our most reliable and safe solutions: the ZAPshield.

What is the ZAPshield?

The ZAPshield, a flagship product in Rauckman’s animal mitigation line, is designed to deter animals from transformer bushings. It ingeniously conditions animals to stay away by employing the patent-pending Rauck-Shock technology. Instead of causing harm, this technology delivers a non-lethal electrostatic discharge when animals come into contact with it. This slight jolt is enough to deter them from returning, ensuring both the safety of the animals and the smooth operation of electrical equipment.

The Inspiration

The design of the ZAPshield and Rauck-Shock technology, is derived from the principles found in Faraday’s law of induction. This principle ensures that the discharge is both safe for animals and effective in keeping them at bay.

Installation – Efficient and Hassle-Free

One of the standout features of the ZAPshield is its hassle-free installation process. Utilities won’t have to worry about prolonged downtimes or extensive preparations. The ZAPshield can be installed ‘hot’, meaning there’s no need to power down or disrupt services.

When it comes to the tools required for installation, we’ve got you covered. Whether you choose to use a Shotgun Stick, Universal Tool Pliers, or the accompanying Rauckman W-100 Universal Tool, the process remains straightforward and efficient.

Our Goal

The ZAPshield is proof to our dedication to providing top-notch solutions to utilities worldwide. Our products not only ensure the seamless flow of electricity but also prioritize the well-being of our environment and the creatures that inhabit it.

One-Piece Tangent Cover

Animal Mitigation, News & Information, Product Articles|

Wildlife Shield by Rauckman: Minimizing Animal-Related Electric Service Interruptions

In the multifaceted world of utility management, animals have been recognized as significant contributors to unexpected power disruptions. Only weather outpaces animal interference as a cause for unplanned outages. That’s why Rauckman has introduced the Wildlife Shield, a revolutionary tool designed to tackle this exact issue.

Why Wildlife Shield?

The Wildlife Shield is crafted explicitly to be easily mounted on distribution & substation equipment bushings, effectively minimizing the instances of animal-related electric service interruptions. As part of Rauckman’s esteemed line of animal mitigation products, the Wildlife Shield brings a new level of control and safety.

Geographical Variations in Challenges

From squirrels in the Midwest to birds along the coastlines, the types of animals that infiltrate utility equipment differ widely from region to region. The Wildlife Shield, available in three different size models, ensures a flexible solution tailored to various applications.

Color and Design Customization

Customize your shield with red or grey color options. While there are no physical differences between the colors, this customization allows the utility to match or contrast with existing equipment as per preference.

Technology and Classification

Constructed with advanced special polymer technology, these shields are suitable for severe environments, assuring longevity and reliability. Their UL94 Classification of V-0 denotes top-notch quality and safety standards.

Easy and Safe Installation

The Wildlife Shield can be installed hot without requiring downtime, thus not disrupting ongoing services. Field trimmed inserts enable virtually any shield to fit most insulators or bushings, making them versatile and adaptable.

For installation, all that’s needed are tools like a Shotgun Stick and a Pair of Pliers (for trimming the inserts if necessary), ensuring a straightforward process that doesn’t hinder routine operations.

Conclusion

Rauckman’s Wildlife Shield isn’t merely a tool; it’s a testament to innovation and our commitment to uninterrupted electric services. By protecting against animal infiltration, which varies across different geographical regions, this shield is an essential investment for every utility company.

For more information on forming a personalized wildlife protection plan or to place an order, feel free to contact us.