Karachi Electric Supply Company has so far successfully converted a number of PMTs and consumer connections in Clifton and Keamari areas into high tension ABC cable based supply system that mainly preempts illegal connection through kunda thus saving considerable units previously stolen because of open copper wire.
Starting 2011 with two pilot projects, KESC-pioneered overhead Aerial Bundle Cable conversion venture would be covering more PMTs and consumers in Surjani, Garden, Bhitai Colony, Cattle Colony, KBR, Lines Area, PIB, Clayton and Bahadurabad in the coming months.
Under the pilot projects completing this month, KESC issued 252 new connections and converted 14 PMTs through ABC cable supply lines that use several insulated phase conductors bundled tightly together in contrast to open copper wire benefiting a total of 3,865 consumers in Clifton and Keamari areas that have been working satisfactorily.
After ABC conversion, at an average, a total of Rs. 3,552,914 are being saved every month from Rajput Colony 500kva PMT, Abid Plaza 500kva substation, Ali Apartments substation, Haji Lemo Goth PMT No. 1, 2 and 3 (Toheed), B-177 250KVA PMT, Chaina PMT/Azeem Goth PMT 500KVA, Aleem-u-ddin 250KVA PMT (Quaid-a-Azam colony), Madina Manzil PMT 500KVA PMT, Dhoraji PMT, Azeem Khan substation, Azeem Khan Goth Block 4-A PMT-1, Quaid-e- Azam (Pipe wali) 500KVA PMT.
The schemes planned for the coming months include 103 PMTs in Clifton and Keamari areas, 12 PMTs in Surjani, 26 in Bhitai Colony, 64 in Cattle Colony and 28 PMTs in Garden. More upcoming Projects are: Garden 28 PMTs; KBR 19 PMTs, Lines Area 80 PMTs, Clayton 41 PMTs PIB 55 PMTs, and Bhadurabad 3 PMTs. Projects in the pipeline include clusters from Gulistan-e-Jauhar and clusters from Saddar.
The advantages of thermoplastic ABC conversion include control of losses caused due to illegal hook connection, prevention of theft of copper conductor, prevention of fatal accidents, minimizing of tripping, minimizing of complaints of power failure, higher current rating and lower short circuit rating, higher insulation and moisture resistance, better resistance to surge currents, better resistance to chemicals and corrosion, Low dielectric losses, longer service life, and have better electrical and mechanical properties while being smaller in diameter and lower in weight. The ABC does not need tree trimming, is moisture resistant, and is particularly useful in streets with tree plantations, narrow roads, and prevents problem of clearances to buildings.