Even the most experienced teams can waste time deliberating the best pilot scope. Or teams might begin a pilot with good intentions, but without first defining the scope, the project can quickly become unfocused or fall unattended.

Use these three parameters to outline an effective pilot program for S&C’s TripSaver® II Cutout-Mounted Recloser. They’ll keep you on the right track to deduce the reliability and financial benefits for your entire grid, crews, and company.

3 Core Considerations

Number of Devices

The exact number would depend on the size of your utility, your budget, and your staff. Smaller utilities may need only a dozen or so devices, whereas upwards of 100 devices may be a more proportional sample size for larger utilities’ systems and crews.

Location of Devices

Ultimately, you’re after your worst-performing feeders (especially those with frequent interruptions), and ideally you’ll want to install devices in multiples areas of your system, so your pilot accurately represents your system as a whole. Determining these locations starts with your system’s outage data. Line crews will also know which troublesome areas of your system they travel to regularly, and you may have neighborhoods with particularly vocal or influential customers you may want to prioritize.

Duration of Project

Anywhere from three to 12 months. At three months, you should have collected enough data to extrapolate the long-term benefits of the devices. However, make sure your pilot is running during times of the year that tend to be more challenging for you, whether that’s extreme weather seasons or months when wildlife migrates through your territory.

The Payoff of Defining Your Pilot

Defining your pilot upfront keeps it purposeful and manageable—no wasted time, no drifting scope. Start with parameters, and you’ll be ready to move from testing to transformation. Include TripSaver II reclosers, and you’ll see clear gains in reliability and operational savings from your trial.