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KLAMATH FALLS. OREGON, SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1963
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SUBSTATION AND SERVICE CENTER At left! Ron Span!, assistant power superin
tendent, is dwarfed by the huge transformers of the PPL substation adjacent to the
service center. Here, 230,000 volt power lines come in from the tie-in with the Bonne
ville line at Diamond Lake junction and power is dropped to 66,000 volts for distri
bution in the Copco system. At right, Hank Moore, service dispatcher, is shown mak
ing a last minute change on the huge map of the distribution system of the Copco
PPL's Mew Industrial Complex Visited
By FLOYD L. WYNNK
"Gin pole, pig tail, switch stick
and mechanical hand." These
terms all fit into one industrial
category although I'll wager1
they're known almost exclusively
to those who actually use them.
The use of these pieces o( equip
ment, for that's what they are,
was explained to our uncompre
hending minds during a recent
tour of the newest $2 million plus
industrial complex added to the
Klamath Falls area.
In addition to finding this big1
complex that had been construct-i
ed quietly and with little fanfare
over the past two years, we also
found one of the last outposts of
exclusive male control.
The complex is the service cen
ter of Pacific Power and Light,
located just south of Klamath
Falls off U.S. Highway 97.
Here we found an industrial
complex where from 75 to 100
men live and work, and where
there is not a single female.
What's more, there are no facili
ties present to accommodate the
fairer sex.
The giant substation adjacent
to the service center cost about
$1,750,000 to build while the serv
ice center itself cost $450,000.
Much of the PPL operation
which formerly was performed
in the quarters of the firm at
the corner of Fourth and Main
are now being conducted at the
new service center.
Here one finds equipment and
storerooms neatly laid out to pro
vide maximum operating effi
ciency, with offices and working
areas air conditioned. These oc
cupy one side of the service cen
ter compound, with a series of
various-sized garages on the oth
er side to handle the automotive
equipment of the company.
We toured the area with Copco
Division Superintendent .Sam
Uitchey. Roy Itolls, superintend
ent of the center, explained the
workings of some of the areas,
and demonstrated the use of the
newest piece of equipment, a $20,
000 truck which provides a pole
digging arc of 1H0 degrees wil l
rear power takeoff.
Kolls, incidentally, is leaving to
become superintendent of the
PPL service center at Portland.
His replacement here will be an
nounced later.
We toured tool storage rooms
with Hugo "Dutch" Seidemann.
electrician, who explained to us
such terms as "gin poles," pig
tails and mechanical hands. These
are specially designed tools for
line maintenance, construction
and repair.
We watched Hank Moore, dis
patch man, make a few changes
on his huge map which covers
the entire Copco Division servic
ing area. Here, in one sweep
ing glance, one can see exactly
what work is being done on the
far flung lines of this distribu
tion system.
When trouble strikes, it is here
that tabs are kept on what is be
ing done to locate and repair that
trouble.
We also watched Bob F a u s
check out some meter complaints.
by putting the troublesome me
ters through their paces electrical
ly and checking their efficiency
We also received a quick course
in transformers and switches that
left us a little confused but with
the ample impression that these
men knew their business and
knew it well.
Followi'ig a safety session at
which n;w methods, new ideas
and new products were being ex
plained and discussed, Ritchey
presented Leonard Peterson, a 25-
year service pin. He is a lineman.
Following a tour of the ware
house section and the garages, we
joined Ron Spani, assistant pow
er superintendent, and visited the
adjacent substation area.
Here, power to the tune of 230,-
000 volts comes in from the north
intertie with Bonneville which is
located in the Diamond Lake junc-
tion area. It is tapped and stepped
down to 66,000 volts which is then
distributed throughout the Copco
system. The 230.000 volt lines con
tinue from here to Mcdford. Pow
er from the John Boyle and the
Iron Gate projects are fed into
this power network.
Thurman Turner, substation op
erator, was on duty at the substa
tion. checking meters and switch
cs carefully in a never-ending rou
tine that ensures continued pow
er to PPL consumers.
The first indications of any
trouble are felt here, and from
here, information dispatched that
will lead to the quickest possible
repair.
This area is hy far Uie costli
est portion of the entire center.
The substation cost about $4 for
each $1 spent on the service center.
There is still another area ad
jacent to these two. Here, most
of the work of pre-forming parts
and storing equipment was done
for the John Boyle dam. This is
the construction yard area. Here,
when the time comes, the prep
aration work and equipment will
be prepared and collected lor the1
Salt Caves dam which may be
the next project fur PPL in its
move for maximum power de
velopment of the Klamath River.
Our concluding impression was!
that everything possible had been
incorporated, into this substation
and service center to provide for
the most efficient operation yet
also provide maximum working
conditions for the mainstay of the
entire operation, the men that
make it work.
When you drive south on U.S.
97 and get by the bend just south
of town you will see the service
center off to the left if you're
travelling south. At night, it is a
well-lighted beacon along the way.
Here, the men labor unceasing
ly to provide you with the elec
tricity that makes our modern day
wheels go round.
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HOT TOOL ROOM "Dutch" Seidemann stands amid
the maze of poles and equipment used by electricians
when handling hot wires. Each tool h'as specific purpose
and has been specially designed to meet a need. Dutch
looks over a set of snowshoes used when maintenance
men have to check power lines in winter time inecessibl
areas.
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METER CHECKER Complaints about meters reading
too high are referred to Bob Faus. As meter checker,
Faus subjects each new meter and any questionable old
meter to a special check, determining now accurate they
are.
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MIGHTY IMPORTANT TOOL This little tool is known
as the "mechanical hand," and it serves just about that
purpose for linemen. Each hole and indentation has a
specific purpose for use in handling power lines. The
tool actually serves as an electrician's hand in power line
tasks, "Dutch" Seidemann, left, electrician, and Sam
Ritchey, superintendent of the Copco Division of PPL,
examine the tool.
division. A complete layout of the system is included on the map and various colored
pins indicate what work is being done throughout the system. Moore's job also in
cludes dispatching crewj for repairs and other work around the system.
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NEW AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT The newest rig obtainable is brought out for in
spection. Costing $20,000, the new rig provides a powered digging arc of 180 de
grees with the power takeoff at the rear. Hare, equipment operator Glenn Cleven pre
pares to demonstrate the equipment while Roy Roils, superintendent of the service
center, looks on.
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SAFETY SESSIONS Frequent sessions en safety are not only helpful but necessary.
There can be no substitute for safety when handlinq charged lines and engagod in
dangerous repair work. Here, new products are demonstrated, new techniques ex
plained and procedures discussed.
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SUBSTATION CENTER Thurman Turner, substation operator, It shown
checking figures amid his maze of twitches and dials. Her power Is fed to all the PPL
service area in this vicinity including such placet at far away as Alturas. To this point
comet the first indicator of trouble, power drop or other difficulties.