The Electrical Inspector is tasked with ensuring that applicants have proper grounding before an electrical inspection certificate is issued and uses the ground testing apparatus to measure ground resistance at an applicant’s residence. It is only after an electrical inspection is completed, and found to have successfully met all criteria by the Inspector, that FortisTCI can connect customers to the power grid. The ground tester can also assist in detecting possible electric current leakage.
“FortisTCI is happy to assist the Planning Department by presenting this important piece of equipment which will help to ensure that electricity customer wiring installations are properly done,” said Devon Cox, FortisTCI Vice President of Transmission & Distribution. He continued stating that “we stress the importance of proper grounding; a customer’s ground at all times must protect their appliances and equipment in their homes and businesses.”
Customers are encouraged to have their electricians involved throughout the entire inspection process as another means of certifying that they have proper wiring and electrical grounding protection. Existing customers are also encouraged to have their ground tested annually. Overtime, corrosive soils with high moisture content, high salt content, and high temperatures can degrade ground rods and their connections. Ground shifting from loose soil and imbalances can also occur; particularly as the result of storms or on-going nearby construction.
Notes to Editors:
1) FortisTCI Limited (FTCI) and Atlantic Equipment & Power Limited (AEP) became a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis Inc. located in Newfoundland, Canada in August 2006. Turks and Caicos Utility Limited (TCU), which is the sole provider of electricity on the Islands of Grand Turk and Salt Cay, was acquired by FTCI in August 2012. FTIC is the sole provider of electricity in Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, East Caicos and adjacent Cays. AEP is the sole provider of electricity on South Caicos. Together the three companies combined serve approximately 12,000 electricity customers in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The Utilities have an aggregate diesel-fired generating capacity of approximately 75 megawatts.
2) Fortis is the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada, with total assets of more than $15 billion and fiscal 2012 revenue totalling $3.7 billion. The Corporation serves more than 2 million gas and electricity customers. Its regulated holdings include electric distribution utilities in five Canadian provinces and two Caribbean countries and a natural gas utility in British Columbia, Canada. Fortis owns and operates non-regulated generation assets in Canada, Belize and Upstate New York. It also owns hotels and commercial office and retail space in Canada. Fortis Inc. shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.
CONTACT:
Mr. Allan Robinson
VP, Customer & Corporate Services
Fortis TCI Ltd
Tel: 649-946-4313 Ext. 2507
Email: arobinson@fortistci.com
