Company
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LIPA restores electric service faster than any other utility in the state. The total annual power outage time for Long Island customers has been the lowest among New York State utilities using overhead power lines for 13 of the past 15 years.
The LIPA Restoration Team
Our entire work force is put to work if a major storm hits. Our work force is specially trained to respond to storm emergencies and are prepared to work around the clock, seven days a week, to restore your service.
Nearly all of our employees turn from their regular jobs to help restore electricity to our customers. We also bring in workers from neighboring utilities and contractors to supplement our crews and speed up the repair effort. - Learn More
LIPA Ranked Most Reliable Overhead System in NYS
LIPA's transmission and distribution system continues to be ranked among the best in New York State. LIPA has earned this distinction by attaining the top ranking for quickest time for restoration of service and shortest average duration of outages. LIPA has been ranked first in NYS since 1998 for the average restoration time and first since 2003 for the average interruption duration index. Additionally LIPA has been ranked among the top 3 NYS utilities in longest frequency between service interruptions. In developing its award winning reliability track record, LIPA has invested approximately $2 billion in reinforcing and upgrading its transmission and distribution system since 1993.
Customer Care Center
We can mobilize up to 300 employees to staff our telephones at a centralized Customer Assistance Center. These operators can handle thousands of calls an hour. During a severe storm, when there is a large amount of calls coming in at the same time, we now have automated service that can log your outage.
Circuit Improvement Programs
LIPA surveys hundreds of miles of electric lines annually to identify and correct any substandard line conditions, restore or replace deteriorated poles, replace deteriorated underground and over head cables, and install lightning arrestors and animal protection devices.
Automatic Sectionalizing Units
LIPA installs “smart switches” on its overhead electric circuits to automatically isolate downed or faulted wires and maintain electric service to approximately one-half of the customers supplied from the associated circuit. System Operators can remotely control these switches to rapidly restore service and re-route power to minimize customer outages.
CAIDI, MAIFI and SAIFI
These terms are important measurements or indices of LIPA’s performance.
- CAIDI - Customers Average Interruption Duration Index
- MAIFI - Momentary Average Interruption Frequency Index
- SAIFI - System Average Interruption Frequency Index
CAIDI measures the average restoration time, or how long it takes LIPA to re-establish electric service should there be an outage. In 2008, LIPA’s CAIDI was 82 minutes.
MAIFI measures “momentary” interruptions. How long is a momentary interruption? Usually less than five minutes.Last year, LIPA’s MAIFI was 5.7.
SAIFI measures the length of time between service interruptions. In 2008, LIPA’s average SAIFI was 15.6 months between interruptions. This means that a large portion of our customers have not lost power in well over a year!
Tree Trimming Program
Most service interruptions result from tree limb contact with electric wires. We are dedicated to providing Long Island with a safe, reliable supply of electricity. To do this, we have a number of proactive programs that help reduce electric outages and improve safety. One of our most effective programs in this area is our Forestry Program. This includes removing trees that interfere with power lines and replacing them with shorter “wire friendly” trees reduces the likelihood of tree or branch contact. Learn More
