No more power outages due to lizards and squirrels TGSPDCL to replace metal clamps with silicon ones to curb tripping

In a bid to safeguard small creatures and ensure uninterrupted power supply, the South Telangana Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) has announced an innovative initiative to replace existing metal clamps with specially designed silicon clamps in its electrical infrastructure.
This move comes after a detailed analysis revealed that a significant number of feeder trips were being caused by reptiles and other small animals, leading to both interruptions in power supply and the unfortunate electrocution of these creatures. The initiative was spearheaded by Musharraf Faruqui, Chairman and Managing Director of TGSPDCL, following the discovery that nearly 14% of feeder trips were linked to incidents involving animals such as lizards, cats, pigeons, squirrels and monitor lizards.
These creatures often crawl over or come into contact with live points and earth points on Horn Gap (HG) fuse sets, breakers, and insulators located near transformers. When these points are connected via metal clamps, the animals inadvertently complete the electrical circuit, resulting in fatal electrocutions and triggering feeder trips that disrupt the power supply to large areas. Recognising the need for a solution that could prevent both the harm to these creatures and the operational disruptions, Faruqui and his team have proposed the replacement of these metal clamps with Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) silicon clamps.
Unlike metal, these silicon clamps are non-conductive, meaning they do not allow electricity to pass through them. As a result, even if animals come in contact with these clamps while crawling, there is no risk of electrocution. To begin with, TGSPDCL plans to install approximately 3,000 FRP silicon clamps in areas identified as high-risk, particularly where trees are abundant, and the presence of reptiles and other small animals is significant.
These areas have been chosen because they are most likely to experience the types of incidents that lead to feeder trips and the electrocution of these small creatures. This small yet significant change is expected to yield multiple benefits. Not only will it protect the lives of countless creatures, but it will also contribute to more reliable power distribution by reducing the frequency of feeder trips caused by such incidents.
The company anticipates that the reduction in feeder trips will improve the overall efficiency of the power distribution network, resulting in fewer interruptions for consumers.
Musharraf Faruqui expressed optimism about the impact of this initiative, noting that it is a proactive step towards both environmental conservation and operational efficiency.
He stated, “This small change reflects our commitment to sustainability and the protection of small creatures. By preventing these unfortunate incidents, we are not only safeguarding these animals but also enhancing the reliability of our power supply, which is crucial for the communities we serve.”