Safety first: Crews install the rapid earth fault current limiter at Dromana. Picture: Supplied

A DEVICE that reduces the risk of a spark from a powerline causing a fire is being installed at a Dromana electricity substation.

The rapid earth fault current limiter is expected to be ready in time for summer.

This is the third device to be installed in the United Energy network area. The first system was used to lessen the risk of bushfires at Frankston South as part of a 2009 trial and the second was installed at Mornington in November.

The devices have so far automatically activated more than 530 times on the Mornington Peninsula, which is one of United Energy’s highest bushfire risk areas.

Crews are working on overhead powerlines and other infrastructure in the area and this work will continue all year.

The Dromana substation supports 16,359 customers, supplied by seven feeders, 270km of overhead powerlines and 33km of underground cable.

“We are focused on delivering safe power to homes and business and these devices will significantly improve the safety of the infrastructure and reduce the risk of fires starting from electricity assets,” United Energy’s David Wilkinson, said.

“Our crews will be upgrading infrastructure throughout 2019 in the Dromana area to accommodate the new technology.”

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 15 October 2019