Our System

At Pioneer Electric, We Take System Maintenance Seriously

Our front-line personnel are dedicated to addressing power quality issues and ensuring equipment performance. Pioneer Electric is always monitoring for potential problems or malfunctioning equipment, all the while performing regular line inspections and pole testing. Our cooperative invests in regular system maintenance to ensure consistent, high-quality service for all our members.

Thermal Imaging

Pioneer Electric owns a high-quality infra-red camera that helps identify potential problems on our electrical system or equipment before outages occur. We periodically test key equipment and substations, looking for temperature fluctuations and hot spots. These temperature anomalies may indicate loose connections and overheating that could result in equipment failure and outages.

Pole Testing

Our utility poles form the backbone of our system’s infrastructure, but they can sometimes be found damaged or weakened both above and below ground by farm equipment, fire, lightning and general decay. To address these problems, Pioneer Electric hires an independent contractor to inspect approximately 5,000 poles annually. An 18-inch hole is dug around the pole to check for decay and to ensure structural integrity. If a pole is found in good condition, we will go one step further by treating it against decay and insect infiltration. If the pole is weak and threatens the network in any way, it will be replaced.

System Upgrades

Pioneer Electric’s system gets a regular facelift in the form of new larger poles, wires and transformers, as well as the addition of substations. In order to continue to increase capacity and reliability and meet the growing and changing needs of our member-owners, we will continue our regular upgrade program in our residential, farm, commercial and large industrial sectors.

Keeping Trees In Check

Regular tree trimming is vital to ensure system performance and safety. Pioneer Electric hires an independent contractor to inspect and cut trees and branches that interfere with our wires and poles. The entire system is inspected on a 3-year cycle.

Breaker Maintenance

System breakers interrupt the flow of electricity in the event of a broken pole, downed lines, vehicle accidents, storm damage or if farm or industrial equipment comes in contact with the line. Breakers also interrupt service in case of a “short” to prevent overload. All breakers are inspected, tested and repaired on a 3-year cycle.

Substations

Network substations are periodically tested and serviced to ensure proper operation. The following substation equipment is tested on a rotational basis: oil circuit reclosers, power transformers, voltage regulators, circuit switches and electronic control equipment.