Join our IEEE PES San Francisco and Santa Clara Valley Chapters for a Technical Meeting (Virtual – see Zoom link under location).
Metallic foil balloons that are inflated with helium or a lighter-than-air gas pose a significant risk to overhead electric distribution power lines. The metallic foil can conduct electricity, which can result in a fault condition. An additional failure mechanism occurs if the helium gas ionizes under high enough voltage electric fields which can also result in faults. These faults can result in power outages and also become a fire ignition risk. In recognition of the importance of the identified issue, the IEEE Distribution Reliability Working Group supported the establishment of a Task Force to advance study and efforts undertaken by utilties (largely based in California) with support and study performed by Georgia Tech's NEETRAC. This Task Force has developed this IEEE P2845 trial-use standard which is in the process of being published by the end of 2023.
This standard is applicable to celebratory balloons that are comparable in size and shape to what are commonly referred to as foil balloons, which are available in retail stores and are filled with helium or a gas that is lighter-than-air. The test procedures evaluate the dielectric performance of celebratory balloons in contact with simulated energized overhead distribution power lines with the intent of minimizing balloon caused power system outages (or electrical faults). The scope is limited to distribution system voltages of 38 kV or less and only single balloons.
After the Trial-Use Standard is published and experience gained, a final IEEE 2845 standard will be developed by the Task Force. California legislation AB 847 (2022) requires, with phase-in period compliance exceptions: "A person that sells, offers to sale, or manufacturers for sale, in this state, any foil balloon shall ensure that those foil balloons pass a standard test, as determined by an accredited testing facility capable of high-voltage testing. The standard test shall be the IEEE 2845 standard when that standard is approved by the IEEE. The standard test shall be approved when the IEEE does all of the following: (i) Publishes an interim standard. (ii) Completes its trial of the interim standard. (iii) Publishes the final approved standard, following materially substantive adjustments, if any, to the interim standard." The phase-in period begins on the commencement date which is the date of IEEE final standard approval or 1/1/2027, whichever is later.
Speaker(s): Christian Henderson, Dean Borchardt,
Agenda:
11:30 am – Noon Virtual Social & Welcome Back to SF PES!
Noon – 1:00 pm IEEE P2845 Technical Presentation
1:00 – 1:30 pm Additional Meeting & Social Time
Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/367307
Balloon Safety in the Sky: IEEE P2845 Trial Use Std for Testing & Evaluating Dielectric Performance of Balloons in Contact with Distribution Power Lines
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