Ohio Edison completes work to prevent power outages in Columbiana County
Ohio Edison has completed work on electric grids in Columbiana County that will prevent or minimize the impact of power outages during summer and winter storms.
The grid modernization project helps prevent service disruptions and restore power faster to 8,200 customers in Salem.
“While events out of our control, like severe weather or vehicle accidents, still have the potential to cause outages, the work we’ve completed in Salem will help limit them to just a brief or momentary disruption,” said Ed Shuttleworth, president of FirstEnergy’s Ohio operations. “This work has proven to be successful in other parts of the Mahoning Valley and thousands of customers have experienced fewer or shorter outages over recent years.”
Ohio Edison upgraded electrical equipment and modernized power lines that deliver electric service to Salem. The work also includes the installation of new 'automated reclosing devices,' that limit the frequency, duration, and scope of outages.
The devices give Ohio Edison personnel the ability to automatically restore power to customers, instead of sending a crew out to investigate. In the event of a more serious issue, the devices will isolate the outage and limit the number of affected customers.
The company says similar work is underway in Youngstown, Austintown, and Girard.