Fundamentals of reducing the risk of wildfire

The California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, Part 9) establishes minimum requirements to safeguard the public from fire hazards.

The California Power Line Fire Prevention Field Guide outlines procedures to minimize risk of wildfires caused by electrical power lines and equipment. 

Read more about relevant wildfire codes

Utilities are investing in strategies to mitigate and prevent wildfire risks in their service territories that deliver immediate results over large areas, move distribution lines underground in high-risk areas, implement digital technologies that flag potential issues and isolate impacted areas, and invest in research and development that advance novel approaches to further reduce risk. 

Read more about strategies to fortify the grid

Fortifying the electric grid against the threat of wildfires has never been more important. Advanced fuses can significantly limit the electrical and mechanical stress on protected equipment, helping reduce likelihood of a sparking incident. 

Read more about utility fusing solutions

Distribution arrester systems are designed to reduce wildfire risk by controlling the energy released during an end-of-life event, minimizing the occurrence of thermal runway. This is especially important to help prevent wildfires in dry areas. 

Learn about fire protection arresters

Wildfire mitigation capacitors are designed for remote areas where maintenance is a challenge or areas with increased risk of fire events. These capacitors incorporate a variety of design features to support durable and robust operation. 

Read more about power capacitors

This switchgear provides protection and control in a small footprint to support utilities’ underground efforts in high-risk areas. 

Read more about solid-dielectric switchgear

Pad-mounted regulators provide voltage regulation in 32 steps to improve the safety, reliability and power quality in existing and new underground distribution systems.  

Read more about pad-mounted voltage regulators

These line installation and protective connectors provide vital overvoltage and overcurrent protection to support undergrounding utility lines.

Read more about line installation and protective equipment

Smart sensors provide high-fidelity data and communications essential to help inform wildfire mitigation efforts. 

Read more about smart utility sensors

With an advanced distribution planning system (ADPS), utilities can analyze models of their protection schemes to help ensure proper protective device settings. 

Read more about ADPS

Intelligent technologies like feeder automation software can help isolate impacted areas of the grid and automatically reconfigure the system for significant reliability improvements. 

Read more about feeder automation systems