Copper Theft Prevention Technologies 2017 ITS Heartland Conference Gary A Covey, PMP, FOI Technical and Project Management Support Consultant

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1 Copper Theft Prevention Technologies 2017 ITS Heartland Conference Gary A Covey, PMP, FOI Technical and Project Management Support Consultant

2 Overview KC Scout s history of copper theft Factors affecting copper theft activities Overview of different technologies implemented Advantages and disadvantages of each technology Cost comparison of each technology

3 History of copper theft In the last 10 years, copper theft has cost KC Scout almost $1,000,000 From 2011 to 2016 KC Scout experienced 53 incidents of copper theft resulting in over 75 Work Orders to repair damage Copper theft not only impacts power cables but fiber optic cable as well Thieves cut conduit, open pull boxes, destroy meter cans and try to pry open field cabinets

20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 Copper theft by year vs copper recycle prices Copper Thefts vs Copper Prices $5.00 $4.

4 Copper theft by year vs copper recycle prices Copper Thefts vs Copper Prices $5.00 $4.50 $4.00 $3.50 $3.00 $2.50 $2.00 $1.50 $1.00 $ $0.00 incidents Copper price

5 Factors affecting copper theft Price offered for recycled copper Weather conditions Remote locations, terrain and cover Response time to incident locations Size of power cables

6 Technologies implemented Installed Kellum Grips on power cables in pull boxes Buried pull box lids with plywood and 6 to 12 inches of dirt Installed step-down and step-up transformers Changed PVC bridge attached conduit to GRC conduit Installed locking pull box lids Deployed wireless motion activated cameras Deployed power monitors at high theft locations

7 Kellum Grips

8 Advantages Low cost Easy to install Disadvantages Advantages/Disad vantages Kellum Grips Does not stop attempts to pull out copper Can be cut out or removed by thieves if they have easy access to pull boxes

9 Advantages Low cost Relatively easy to install Disadvantages Advantages/Disad vantages Buried pull box lids Requires geo-locating pull boxes Can be dug up by thieves until vegetation takes hold Pull boxes have to be located and dug up to access

10 Advantages Advantages/Disad vantages Step transformers Reduces the size of conductors between transformers (makes them less attractive to thieves) Reduces conductor replacement costs Disadvantages Most costly solution to deploy Doesn t stop thieves from stealing the copper anyway

11 Advantages Lasts longer Harder to cut Can t be broken Disadvantages Advantages/Disad vantages GRC vs PVC Conduit Costs more for GRC (about 8X PVC)

12 Locking Pull Box Lids

13 Advantages Advantages/Disad vantages Locking pull box lids Requires special key to open Can not be broken off like bolted down standard pull box lids Disadvantages Requires a lip at top of pull box (retrofit issue) More costly than standard pull box lids ($250) Requires a key and lifting tool to remove lid Load rating less that Standard pull box lid

14 Wireless Remote Cameras

15 Advantages Advantages/Disad vantages Wireless Cameras Provides a video stream clip of area around pull box or power cutoff Disadvantages Costly to purchase wireless cameras and communication panels Cameras have to be near and within line of site to communication panels Many false alarms caused by tall weeds/grass and animals Costly monthly monitoring fees ($1000/year/communication panel)

16 Power Monitors

17 Power Monitors Installed at power supply

18 Power Monitors Typical installation

19 Power Monitors Transducer monitors current

20 Advantages Advantages/Disad vantages Power Monitors Monitors when power is turned off Monitors incoming utility power Monitors if power cables are cut Sends automatically to alert of events Low monitoring costs (Currently $8/month) Disadvantages Moderate cost per unit Must have cellular phone coverage

21 Monitoring Web Page

22 Monitoring Web Page (cont)

23 E mail Alert (Power turned off)

24 Alert (Power cables cut)

25 Cost Comparison Kellum Grips (2 per cable): $325/cable/pull box plus buried pull boxes additional $350/pull box Locking pull box lids: $250/pull box Step Transformers: $7,500/installation (2 transformers) Replace PVC with GRC Conduit: $24/foot

26 Cost Comparison (cont.) Remote Camera Monitoring: $25,000 initial (15 cameras and 5 Communication panels) plus $5,000 annual for monitoring Power Monitors: $1,000 per monitor and $96 annual for Communications/monitoring

27 Summary There is a need to implement different technologies depending on the threat type you re trying to protect against. There are many different technologies available to choose from. Early detection and response is the biggest deterrent.

28 Questions?

29 Contact Information: Gary A Covey, PMP, FOI Technical and Project Management Consultant Kansas City Scout MoDOT 600 NE Colbern Road Lee s Summit, MO , FAX Cell gary.covey@modot.mo.gov

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