Pinehurst Underground Cable Testing

Project Description

Following a series of unplanned power outages in the Pinehurst area, we are testing our equipment in the area. The testing project will help us anticipate the overall replacement needs of the Pinehurst area.

Location

Testing will occur in the Pinehurst neighborhood.

Community Benefits

This work will result in enhanced electrical reliability and reduce the likelihood of unplanned power outages in the Pinehurst area.

Anticpated Testing Impacts

• Crews will briefly open electrical vaults to test underground cables.
• They’re testing equipment in approximately 55 vaults on five different streets.
• Planned power outages are not needed for this work.

During testing, you can expect:

• Limited parking and sidewalk access within the work zone.
• Construction signs and flaggers redirecting pedestrian and vehicle traffic where needed to maintain safety.
• Some equipment noise.

Testing Schedule

December 2 - 10, 2025
Work hours: Monday - Friday,
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The schedule for future replacements will be determined by the results of the testing. We currently anticipate the following replacement timelines:

• Testing Cables - December 2025
• Receive Report, Determine Replacements, Request Permits - January - March 2026
• Planned Outage Coordination - March - May 2026
• Equipment and Cable Replacement - May - July 2026
• Project Closeout - August 2026

If testing reveals unanticipated results, we may need to expand the scope of the necessary work which could lengthen the schedule.

Test Results

TESTING & FINDINGS

Doble crews tested cable buried in protective tubes called “conduit.” Burying cable in conduit helps improve reliability and reduce risks for power outages. If unplanned outages happen, it also makes it easier for crews to find issues and restore power more efficiently.

The results were much better than anticipated. A total of 296 out 299 cable sections and a total of 504 out of 509 accessories performed well. None of the cables or accessories need to be replaced at this time. 

RECOMMENDATION  

Based on Doble’s professional recommendation, we plan to continue periodic inspection of the cables and will retest if warranted. Any cables or accessories that are deteriorating will be replaced.

OTHER MAINTENANCE

In 2024, our Vegetation Management Unit trimmed all vegetation interfering with the overhead lines feeding the area. Shortly after the outages in 2025, the Vegetation Unit inspected the area again and found that there was no work necessary. The Vegetation Unit is scheduled to return to the area in Q3 2026.

PAST OUTAGES

Other outages that occurred during the second, third, and fourth quarters of 2025 in which we found the cause and fixed the issue included:

• April: Outage caused by underground equipment.
• July: Outage was caused by a failed connector.
• September: Outage was due to a blown fuse on a terminal pole.
• October 12: Outage – Crew found and replaced an overhead fuse.
• October 27: Outage – Cause identified as a leaking transformer.

Important note: Crews replaced the leaking transformer identified in the October 27 outage. This leak was very likely the systematic cause of equipment outages leading up to October 27.  

NEXT STEPS

Based on Doble’s expertise and their testing report, no cable replacement work is needed at this time. We plan to continue periodic inspection of the cables and accessories throughout this area and will retest if warranted. Any cables or accessories that are deteriorating will be replaced.