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BIRDS AND SUBSTATION OUTAGES

By Randy Hurst
TransGard Laser Bird Defense

Birds wreak havoc at hundreds of substations every year, undermining system reliability and costing millions. Bird incursions can have disastrous results: equipment damage, outages and expensive cleanups due to corrosive droppings.
Even worse: the traditional deterrents provide only temporary, spotty relief.
Now, there’s an innovative solution to the problem: lasers. TransGard, the company focused solely on substation protection, recently introduced Laser Bird Defense to the utility industry. This exciting alternative uses silent, cost-effective lasers to drive birds from substations – and keep them away.

BIRD INVASIONS AND THE DAMAGE THEY BRING
Substations can draw thousands of birds, creating a number of risks. Nesting materials can become dislodged, damaging expensive equipment. And long “streamers” — stringy, conductive excrement — can create flashovers.

Read full article in the Special SUBSTATIONS Issue

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