Current Projects
Nelson Hydro has several large-scale capital and maintenance projects in the works at any given time. The current jobs in various stages of planning and implementation are discussed here.
4F26 Front Street Voltage Conversion - COMPLETED
This project involves pole and line replacement in the 500 and 600 blocks of Front Street, from Ward to Hall streets, north of Vernon Street. Currently, a 4 kV feeder, 4F26, from City Substation, is servicing this area. The 4 kV voltage is being phased out of the Nelson Hydro system to allow City Substation to be eventually retired from service. In the new system, the Front Street area will be serviced from the 25 kV feeder, 25F41, which runs along the CPR rail line north of Front Street.
4F26 Front Street Voltage Conversion [PDF - 636 KB]
60 kV Transmission Line Rebuild - COMPLETED
The transmission line rebuild involves pole and line replacement along the 800 to 1200 blocks of West Innes Street (Golf Links Road), west of Crease Avenue. The new pole line will be in the same alignment as the existing 25 kV feeder, but the new line will accommodate the 25 kV feeder as well as a new 60 kV feeder from the Granite Terminal, which was constructed in 2008. This new 60 kV line will connect Granite Terminal to the existing 60 kV Nelson Hydro line on Crease Avenue, which originates from Rosemont Substation on Wasson Street. This project was expected to start fall 2009.
Baker Lanes Underground Upgrade
This project involves converting the downtown core of Nelson from 4 kV primary overhead to 25 kV primary underground. The 4 kV voltage is being phased out of the Nelson Hydro system to allow City Substation to be eventually retired from service. In the new system, the downtown core will be serviced from the 25 kV feeder, 25F41, which runs along the CPR R/W north of Vernon Street. In the new system, all primary lines will be underground, supplying 25 kV to pad mounted transformers throughout the downtown core. These padmount transformers will supply secondary distribution voltages to new pole lines along the north side of Hume and Herridge lanes. The new poles will allow the removal of the existing two pole structures in need of replacement. The underground conduit system, new poles and padmount transformer bases installations are planned for 2010. The cable installation and voltage conversion will be completed in 2011.
For additional information and updates, view the Downtown Voltage Conversion Baker Lanes 2010 page.
Project Directional Map [PDF - 1.3 MB]
October 13 2010 Update [PDF - 27 KB]
September 13 2010 Update [PDF - 195 KB]
Baker Lanes Underground Upgrade [PDF - 683 KB]
Powerpoint Presentation July 26 2010 [PPT - 6 MB]
Layout Plans [PDF - 6.7 MB]
Pole Testing and Replacement 2005 - 2009
The pole testing and replacement project involved testing poles in the Nelson Hydro system and replacing poles identified as dangerous. Nelson Hydro has tested poles in the following areas
- 2005: North Shore-Harrop, Procter, Balfour and Queens Bay
- 2006: North Shore-Longbeach and Sitkum Creek; South Shore area
- 2007: Taghum, Sproule Creek, Blewett, Nelson
- 2009: North Shore-Johnstone Road and Sitkum Creek
Poles more than 15 years of age were tested for failure and treated for insect infestation. Poles that failed the inspection were either blue tagged, which indicates a steel stub was recommended to stabilize the pole, or red tagged, which indicates the pole was recommended for replacement.
Nelson Hydro replaced 60 failing secondary poles in the North Shore areas of Harrop, Procter, Balfour and Queens Bay in
2008.
Pole Testing & Replacement 2005 -2009 [PDF - 173 KB]
Pole Replacement Program 2010
The 2010 pole replacement program will include rebuilding a section of 25 kV line along Hwy 3A at Longbeach, as well as the completion of the Emory's Corner rebuild at 4 Mile in the North Shore area. It will also include a new 25 kV feed to Kootenay Lake Hospital and the rebuild of the distribution line at Horlick' Point, Bealby Point Road area.
Pole Replacement Program 2010 [PDF - 2 MB]
Transformer Testing
Under new federal regulations, Nelson Hydro will be testing all distribution transformers in the Nelson Hydro system to measure the PCB content. In 2008, 700 transformers were tested in the City of Nelson and in 2009, 350 transformers were tested.
Transformer Testing 2009 [PDF - 923 KB]
