Power and Water works on bat solution

22 Jul 2010

There is currently an infestation of bats along a new section of 22kV power line which runs from the Katherine – Mataranka grid, and supplies the community of Jilkminggan.  

It is these bats that are causing the power outages.  When they cluster around power line insulators they can form a bridge from the conductor to the steel cross arms, which short circuits the high voltage system and causes a power outage.

Networks crews are working today (Thursday 22 July) and again this Saturday (24 July) to install a tri-fuse assembly and insulator guards along this line.

Power and Water’s General Manager Power Networks Bertram Birk said that the tri-fuse assembly would allow the line to Jilkminggan to be isolated if there was a fault on this section of line. 

“This will ensure the power will stay on for customers in Mataranka, as it will allow Power and Water to switch around the fault," he said. 

"As well, the insulator guards will help keep the bats off the insulators on top of the power poles.

“While these measures will greatly reduce the number of customers affected during outages, and reduce the number of outages for Mataranka residents, some flickering or momentary interruptions to power may still occur.”

For more information see our fact sheets:

Bats cause power outages in Mataranka

Reducing power interruptions caused by bats