VB Expressions

The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC), in response to their Case 04-M-0159, has ordered its statutory utilities to inspect every utility-managed electrical fixture where the public can be exposed to stray voltage on a repeating annual basis.

Likewise, the PSC requires those utilities to inspect all their overhead and underground facilities every five years.  Utilities must maintain an inspection database that is “readily accessible and searchable, continuously updated, and subject to review and audit” (page 23, case document), and they must produce an annual report of the inspections for the Commission, by January 15 every year.

VB Expressions has taken this reporting obligation seriously, and has produced an application to assist utilities in performance of this duty. The slides attached below show our approach, initially developed for and partially funded by the Village of Spencerport. The concept includes a wizard-like interface that will enable users not familiar with normal business-productivity tools (like Microsoft Excel® and Microsoft Access®) to successfully enter inspection data. Only one form is open at time, and every field is checked for permitted values.

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This application provides a user-friendly, data-safe environment for recording stray voltage inspection records. There are similar forms for recording overhead and underground inspections included but not shown completely in this slide deck. The application is usable in the office on a standard desktop PC and in the field with a laptop / tablet PC.

The database produced by the field work can be easily archived as a public record. All data entered through the application is logged by time/date and user so that tracking is available. The database can be analyzed easily to produce documented annual reports, as was done in Spencerport and Akron for 2007.  Why handle hundreds of sheets of paper when a database offers so many advantages?

Demos or demo versions available to municipal electric customers, with your streets and municipality name in the application and printouts!

New Features!

Several new features have been added to the original program to make it even more functional and easier to use and maintain.

• Added GPS coordinates control, with data validation and industry governmental standard data format storage and retrieval.
• Added enhanced database location tool to make it easier to copy and archive your database.
• Added forms to modify site records to reflect changes in descriptions, site facilities, etc.
• Improved navigation in the search form.
• Time period status report to make it easy to find sites needing inspection per PSC requirements.

New Prototype Pole Records Database

In response to customer request, VB Expressions has started work on a utility pole records database. The application will work in the same friendly manner as the inspections database, and may be integrated or obtained separately. We are looking for sponsorship, as this will be a large project. Contact us now and have early influence on the design and functionality!

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Please call or e-mail VB Expressions to arrange a demonstration.

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