Oncor uses nanotechnology in fight against copper wire theft

by PegNews wire

DALLAS — Oncor Electric Delivery will implement a new technology this summer that will both discourage would-be criminals from stealing copper from the company's substations and switchyards and help law enforcement personnel find and prosecute thieves.

The technology, which is invisible to the naked eye, marks Oncor equipment and particularly copper wire so that it can be identified after it has been stolen. Oncor will work closely with law enforcement in this effort. Areas protected with the technology will also have signs warning that material has been marked with a traceable technology.

"This is a traceable technology that will enable us to not only identify our stolen goods, but also to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law," said Rob Trimble, president and chief operating officer of Oncor. "Substations and switchyards have been the main targets for copper theft. Thieves are literally taking their lives in their hands for some spending money when they remove metal from a high-voltage area."

Not only is safety an issue for thieves, but also for Oncor employees. When protective ground wires are stolen from substations and switchyards, employees may be shocked or injured.

Oncor urges anyone who notices something amiss at Oncor substations or switchyards, such as holes in substation fences or open gates to call the number on his or her electric bill. If an immediate danger is seen, such as a downed line or exposed wire, leave the area and call 9-1-1.

In addition to the nanotechnology, Oncor has taken a number of other measures to address copper theft, such as installing security systems on perimeter fences, clearing foliage away from fences, increasing security lighting to make the area more visible and replacing stolen copper with copper weld, which has the same electrical properties as copper but with less market value.

Source: Oncor