Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) engineers are helping protect their furry friends by installing a ‘squirrel guard’ to the overhead electricity network in Lentran near Nairn.
Local residents had raised concern that squirrels were coming dangerously close to contact with the overhead network so the team from Inverness decided to help protect the creatures by installing the innovative new solution which helps prevent squirrels from coming into contact with live electrical equipment.
The squirrel guards, which are fitted to electricity transformers, were installed by the team through a technique called ‘hot gloving’, which allows engineers to safely work on the network while it is still ‘live’ meaning no supply interruptions in the area. It is hoped that the installation of the squirrel guards will also minimise disruption to customers in the area through power cuts.
Paul Schofield, part of the ‘Hot Glove’ team from Inverness, said; “While carrying out routine tree-cutting as part of our ongoing maintenance programme in Lentran, a local resident made us aware of a number of ‘close calls’ with squirrels climbing on the overhead network. To help reassure the customer, the team decided to install a squirrel guard which consists of a plastic insulated shroud covering the electrical equipment which helps prevent the squirrels from harming themselves and the electricity network. This is a relatively new solution which has only been installed a small number of times previously but the feedback we’ve had from the local community is great, and by carrying out this work we’ve helped prevent any further interruptions.”