Sarnoff Launches Power Survey Corporation™ to Provide Stray Voltage Detection Services
October 17, 2006
Sarnoff Corporation today announced the launch of Power Survey Corporation™ (PSC), a new service company dedicated to the drive-by detection of hazardous stray voltage in street-level objects, such as manhole covers, utility boxes, and lampposts. PSC offers utility companies the only proactive and proven mobile detection solution that thoroughly scans the area, identifies hazards, protects locations until the hazard is repaired or neutralized, and provides a complete data management system to track all activities.
A serious problem found in many cities across the United States, stray voltage is often caused when weather and other conditions corrode the insulation of electrical wires, exposing them to the surrounding environment. Wires may also become damaged or unknowingly exposed when routine maintenance or construction is done in the vicinity. Electricity can then leak from the exposed lines and electrify nearby objects, creating a dangerous risk of electrocution for people and animals in close proximity. Every year, hundreds of stray voltage incidents are reported nationwide, and in many cases, detection comes too late to avoid injury to people and pets.
“PSC is an incomparable and potentially life-saving service in terms of thoroughness. It enables utility companies to cast a much wider net for suspected hazards by continuously and rapidly scanning hundreds of street miles,” said Dave Kalokitis, Executive Vice President, Technical Operations, Power Survey Corporation. “PSC’s unique ability to scan for stray voltage with sensors mounted on mobile detection vehicles represents a vast improvement over utility companies’ current process of manually testing metal structures they own to measure for electrical leaks. PSC’s technology scans the complete environment and can detect untraditional hazards, such as concrete sidewalks and electricity in metal fences, which may otherwise go unnoticed.”
PSC’s careful evaluation of an individual region allows customers to tailor a service plan to their area’s needs. PSC’s specialized engineers customize all scans to each city and map out service plans based upon multiple factors, such as pedestrian traffic rates, density of potential street-level conductors, and electrical infrastructure characteristics.
The service’s effectiveness emanates from its use of the cutting-edge SVD2000™ technology, the only system capable of sensing hazardous stray voltage from a moving vehicle. SVD2000™ uses a sophisticated sensor array with proprietary electronics and software that can quickly and efficiently identify stray voltage, even in the presence of overhead wires. It is also highly sensitive, capable of detecting electrical charges as low as 1 volt with a range of detection up to 25 feet. SVD2000TM can even detect underground faults that may lead to electrocution hazards in above ground objects.
For more information, visit:http://www.powersurveycorporation.com
About Sarnoff Corporation
Sarnoff Corporation produces innovations in electronic, video and vision technologies that generate successful new products and services for our government and commercial clients worldwide. Founded in 1942 as RCA Laboratories, Sarnoff makes continuous breakthroughs in ICs, lasers, imaging and sensing devices; biomedical diagnostics; digital TV and video for security, surveillance and entertainment; high-performance networking; and wireless communications. Sarnoff is a subsidiary of SRI International.
About Power Survey Corporation
Power Survey Corporation is a service company specializing in the drive-by detection of hazardous stray voltage conditions. Power Survey Corporation utilizes highly effective and reliable technology to dramatically improve community safety through proactive stray voltage monitoring. Power Survey Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarnoff Corporation.
