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Streetlight Inspection Update Jan. 3

Seattle City Light identified four streetlights that were giving off voltage in the utility’s latest round of streetlight safety testing. No one was injured by any of the streetlights. In each case, Seattle City Light crews immediately cut power and started repairs.

The inspections are part of City Light’s ongoing safety testing and repair efforts of all 30,000 metal streetlight poles and nearby metal facilities.

Two contractors – Davey Resources Group and Power Survey Co. – were hired to help City Light with the testing. The contractors tested about 2,700 more streetlights since our last report Dec. 29. The four locations where contact voltage was found were:

  • a streetlight pole and utility hole cover near 56th Avenue SW and SW Bradford Street with 103 volts. A crew repaired a connector that was touching the pole and energizing it.
  • a streetlight near Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Edmunds Street with 97 volts. Power was cut off and crews are determining the cause to begin work on a repair.
  • a streetlight cover near Marine View Drive SW and 42nd Avenue SW with 84 volts. Power was cut off and crews are determining the cause to begin work on a repair.
  • a streetlight pole near 12th Avenue S and S Jackson Street with 100 volts. A crew found frayed wiring that was energizing the pole’s ground wire. Temporary repairs were made to ensure safe operations until a permanent fix can be scheduled.

 The utility has now tested a total of 5,425, or 18 percent, of its 30,000 metal streetlights and associated facilities. A total of 12 instances of contact voltage have been found, including the Queen Anne incident in November.

Equipment Tested Since Last Report : 2,700

Voltage Incidents: 4

Total Tested: 5,425

Total Voltage Incidents: 12

Percentage of Equipment Tested: 18 percent