Tower1 Midwest Energy's 34.

5-kV line is switched on this unique structure utilizing two distinct class 3 50' poles near Hays, Kansas. The switch is a Joslyn threephase air break style with arcing horns and base-mounted control Tower2 This detail allows the viewer to hone in on the mounting particulars and style of switch blade and jaw openings particular to this unique style of 34.5-kV switchgear made by Joslyn Manufacturing & Supply Company. Switch owned and operated by Midwest Energy, Hays, Kansas. Tower3 Midwest Energy, Inc. 34.5-kV switchgear location as a tap to a sub near Ellis, Kansas. Note the Hughes Brothers Insulated Guys with arcing horns and the unique outboard mounting of these switches. Time period for these to be manufactured was about late 1940s. Tower3a Classic Hughes Brothers 345-kV H-frame featuring V-String Sediver Italian/French 10" diameter suspension insulators owned by Associated Electric Cooperative (a G&T) in Central Missouri. This particular scene illustrates an I-70 345-kV crossing near Columbia, Missouri, in the central part of the state of Missouri. Note the V-String in the portal of the structure. Hughes Brothers of Seward, Nebraska furnished the structures and design. The two subconductor assemblies are visible with stockbridge dampers and saddle clamps designed for EHV operation. Tower4 Radiant Electric Cooperative, Inc. of south central Kansas, a distribution cooperative, has just installed a SEECO Type "GL" GOABS 2-way phase-overphase 69-kV switch on a monotube transmission structure. The substation is a single main bus type with one receiving bay equipped with switches at top, bus insulators, rigid bus and overcurrent/overvoltage protection. The transformers are all single phase units and not visible in this particular photo. Switch on 69-kV high side receiving bay is a means to disconnect the sub for maintenance or other reasons. Wheel1 - Westar Energy Transmission Project: Stringing Reel These are the bull wheels of an electric power transmission line construction project. They release the ACSR (Aluminum-Combined-Steel-Reinforced) line conductor for this new transmission line to be operated at 138-kV east of Wichita, Kansas. The original voltage is 69-kV and this new line is built according to new standards so that the voltage can be uprated. The size of

the conductor is approximately 795 MCM (millions of circular mil). These reels will allow only the proper amount of conductors to be payed out equally and at proper tension, so as to avoid damage to structures, their attachment points and to employees building the line. The tension forces at work on such a line are nearly unimaginable. These reels must be breaked properly so that no problems or accidents can occur. Tension stringing of conductors must be done with all conductors in tandem, so there is no unequal stress. Line is a monotube transmission line with polymer horizontal post insulators, replacing a single wooden pole Z-structure line. Tower5 - Turner Switch Geometry This is a grand view of the bottom "C" phase followed by the "B" and "A" phases above on this early 1960s Turner Electric Corporation POP Switch in Cameron, Missouri. This 2D Turner Phase-over-Phase 69-kV switch is owned by Northwest Power Cooperative (a G&T coop) and drops a tap into a substation which serves the upper portions of Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative (a distribution coop) territory. This switch is an early Turner. The aluminum triangular tower was sold with the switch and is original to the installation. Tower6 - Radiant Electric Cooperative's New "GL" Switch The figure shows a detailed view of the monorupters on a two-way SEECO Switching "GL" GOABS switch. This switch was mounted on a single steel monotube transmission structure to prevent bending movements and improper switch control problems. It is a two-way switch and equipped with Monorupters, can drop 50 miles of 69-kV loaded line with ease. Arcing is contained in the Monorupters which are the paddle like apparatus on top of the horizontal switch blades and switch and bus insulators. The owner of the switch (which has most recently been installed) is Radiant Electric Cooperative of Kansas. The voltage of the switch is 69.5-kV. Tower7 - Radiant Electric Cooperative's New Seeco Switch Radiant Electric Cooperative has a small single main bus 69-kV substation serving its distribution customers at 12.47-kVY/7.2-kV single phase near U. S. 75 in southeastern Kansas. They have just completed the placement of a new two-way "GL" GOABS unit with Monorupters for arc-less switching. In the foreground is the transmission takeoff structure for the substation and the equipping of the incoming line for both overcurrent, overvoltage and control applications prior to entering the transformer portion (on ground to left) of this facility. Note the shield wire peaks, the ABChance air break interrupter switches on the top portion of the high side take-off structure. Date of the

sub is unknown, but appears to have been installed in the 1980s or very late 1970s. There are three outgoing distribution feeders. Tower8 - Westar Energy Construction on 69-kV Operating Line This is a late evening shot of a new transmission line being built by Westar Energy paralleling U. S. 75 near the Oklahoma-Kansas border. The new monotube steel structures will take the place of older wooden Z-structures. It is a tap from a switchyard (138-kV/69-kV) east of Wichita. The grounding has been placed on the very large diameter junction/termination pole in the foreground. The older Hughes Brothers Z-structure line is in background and behind the photographer is the tension stringing equipment (seen in other photos) and switchyard. This view is looking south/southwest. The new conductor is approximately 795-mcm ACSR-sized and will take the place of the older ACSR rated for 69-kV. It appears this line will operate at a higher voltage ultimately, but 69-kV will be the operating voltage for now and immediately after its completion--as hints of this are seen at the construction site. Wheel2 - Westar Stringing Equipment & New H-frame East of Wichita, Kansas is a newly constructed 69-kV transmission line which is now being built for 138-kV operation. Note the new H-Frame which is equipped temporarily with stringing hardware on the ends of suspension insulators and the tension stringing equipment for line conductors below. Line stringing is not done one conductor at a time; this would cause unequal bending movements in structure supports and would cause catostropic failure at attachments. Instead, all conductors, including static or Overhead Ground Wires (OWGs) are strung in concert, avoiding any unequal bending or snagging which might endanger personnel or traffic on the highway paralleling this newer line. Original line is a wooden single pole Z-structure circuit operating at 69-kV. Switchyard is located east of Wichita, Kansas on U. S. 75. It is operated by Westar-Energy, Inc. of Topeka. Tower9 - OG&E Steel H-frame Arm with Insulators and Horns This detail of a 69-kV H-frame using steel members on its double-dead-end design just prior to leaping into a substation near Shawnee, Oklahoma, sports both unique arcing horns and early pin-and-cap 10-inch suspension insulators. Voltage of line is 69-kV and is operated by Oklahoma Gas & Electric. Tower10 - KG&E 69-kV Pantograph Switch Detail

This 73-kV pantograph switch is part of the Southern District of Westar Energy, east of Wichita, Kansas. The switch is known as a "pantograph," type unit which is recognized by most electrical engineers as the most effective switching method in the power industry. This particular switch is a tap from a substation for a 69-kV Z-structure line to serve some nearby western towns. The switch, controlled by a down pipe to a handle and each phase connected by an inter-phase drive linkage, uses gravity and weight to make an efficient and durable contact between the switch blades and jaws. Because of this highly reliable contact mechanism, such switches were among the first to be designed for early power distribution and transmission switching. The original switch sported 73-kV rated four-piece pin-style insulators, as seen on the stationary side (right) and adorned with replacement porcelain post insulators on the left and moveable portions of the switch phases. These switches are . . . very heavy . . . but worth the replacement of insulators as they are durable and will break ice easily. The conductor, or current carrying portion of the switch which pulls back and descends, is a copper braid of about four inches wide, 1/2" thick and about a yard in length. Nearly every switch manufacturer created and sold similar switchgear; some with three insulators such as McGraw-Edison's L.M.'s Division or Kearney's "AT" type switches were they utilized two insulator style (one stationary; one moveable) in their designs. Today, there are no American designs of this nature being sold, which we are aware, but this design is being manufactured and sold in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa by foreign manufacturers who recognized the worthiness of this particular "gravity" design. Tower11 - KG&E Late 1920s Period Double Circuit 138-kV Tower Former Kansas Gas & Electric 138-kV lattice steel double circuit transmission tower with dual shielding wires is located east of Wichita, Kansas. The tower's age is late 1920s and very early 1930s vintage. Note the use of VString insulators as it crosses a major highway (U. S. 75) and the fact that it is only a single circuit energized structure. Kansas Gas & Electric merged with Kansas Power & Light to form Westar Energy in the 1980s. This portion of the system is considered the Southern District of Westar Energy. Tower12 - Topeka-Atchison Line Marching Down K-4 This is the first steel tower line in the state of Kansas: the Topeka-Atchison 66-kV (69-kV today) transmission line. It was built between 1911 and 1912 and is still in operation. The line was furnished with OWG or static wire apex locations, but for what-ever-reason, the static wire was never applied. Consequently, the line experiences a great many trip outs. It is scheduled for

re-build within the next few years. KP&L was the original builder/owner; today it is operated by Westar Energy. The line is now celebrating its 100th birthday. Tower13 - Northwest Power Coop's 2D Turner POP Switch This is a Turner Electric Type 2D (2-way) POP (Phase-over-Phase) air break switch with a Teco-rupter installed. It is a 1200-amp model with the aluminum 3-sided aluminum tower. This is a tap to a Northwest Power Cooperative, Inc. substation serving the Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative in northwest Missouri. This is an early version of the Turner switch, probably installed in the late 1950s or very early 1960s. The Teco-rupter is a very early vintage and shows signs of weather erosion. The Teco-rupter vacuum switching was capable of dropping 50 miles of unloaded 69-kV transmission line with its installation on a regular 1D, 2D or 3D POP switch. Tower14 - Topeka-Atchison Transposition Long View Topeka-Atchison Transmission Line, the first steel tower line in the state of Kansas, is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. Here we see the 69-kV line rounding a curve and also performing (formerly) a transposition. The transposition towers were necessary to "barrel" the conductors so that nearby communications systems might not be mutually "coupled" and prevent crosstalk issues. The open wire railway system (along with the tracks, but not the roadbed) is gone. The transposition tower's jumpers have been removed and it is simply an "odd" angle tower. The line was built by Kansas Power & Light and is now operated by Westar Energy. Tower15 - Topeka-Atchison Transposition Tower Detail Here is the re-constructed transposition tower insulator strings and arms after re-build in later years. Note that the transposition jumpers have been removed and other rerouted to omit the transposition. Time of removal is unknown. This is the first transmission line built in the state of Kansas, 1912 and operated by Westar Energy at 69-kV. Tower16 - Topeka-Atchison Transposition Tower Oblique View Here is another good view of the Topeka-Atchison (first steel tower line in the state of Kansas) transmission line transposition tower. These towers were necessary at consistent frequent intervals to combat the issues of crosstalk on neighboring signal and communications lines. This line is owned by Westar Energy but built by Kansas Power & Light in 1911-1912. It is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. Tower17 - Topeka-Atchison Transmission Transposition Tower

This is one of the many transposition towers on the Topeka-Atchison Transmission line built in 1912. Transposition towers were very common in the early transmission days, when it was necessary to barrel transpositions into power transmission lines so as to combat mutual coupling on nearby open wire telephone and neighboring railway signal circuits. As this tower line parallels an abandoned railway roadbed, it is a sure bet that this was the purpose, as some of the poles from that original signal circuit remain in scattered locations along the route K-4 between Topeka and Atchison, Kansas. The line is owned by Westar Energy. Tower18 - Topeka-Atchison V-String Five Degree Angle Here, both circuits of the Topeka-Atchison Transmission Line are being restrained by V-string insulator strings. Note this was an early use of insulator/conductor deflection control into the early 1930s. Also note: there is no static, or OWG, line on the apex of the tower, which has led to continuous trip out problems. This line is celebrating its 100th birthday this year and was built by Kansas Power & Light in 1912. Tower19 - Topeka-Atchison Detail Portrait of V-Strings This V-string assembly adorns the small angle structure of the 1912 vintage Topeka-Atchison 69-kV Transmission Line, north of Topeka, Kansas. The unique nature of this line is portrayed in this photograph vividly. In the early days of power transmission, V-strings such as these were used to control the insulator and line deflection of each phase of a small angle corner. Note the lightning arrester on top "A" phase. This arrester if of 1980s vintage and was placed because this line is not equipped with a static or OWG wire on the apex. Why the static wire was never installed is a mystery. However, the line has experienced a large number of trip outs each year owing to this omission. These arresters were installed to curb this problem. The line was built by Kansas Power & Light Company, but now is operated by the combined utility, Westar Energy. Tower20 - Topeka-Atchison Unique Angle Structure This is a small angle structure of Kansas' first steel tower line, built between 1911 and 1912. This tower uses two styles of insulator dead-ends: a double dead-end on the left phases of the circuit and on the inside, V-strings to control deflection of line conductors and insulator swing. Tower21 - Topeka-Atchison Tower Face Small Angle Structure This is a small angle structure on the Topeka-Atchison Transmission Line, operated at 69-kV, but built for the 1912 voltage of 66-kV. Note the unique

use of V-string insulators to prevent severe deflection of the line conductors. Also: this line was equipped to have an apex-mounted OWG but this was never added. As a consequence, this line has experienced above normal trip out problems throughout its lifetime of 100 years. The two circuits have been bonded together so that the line is actually a single circuit 69-kV system. KP&L built the line but it is operated by Westar Energy today. Tower22 - Topeka-Atchison 66-kV Double Circuit Line This is looking north from K-4 crossing of the first steel tower line in the state of Kansas, built: 1911-1912. It is operated at 69-kV and owned and operated by Westar Energy. Tower23 - Topeka-Atchison 66-kV Line Parade Looking south towards terminus of first steel tower line in the State of Kansas: Topeka-Atchison 66-kV Double-Circuit built in 1911-1912 and owned by Westar Energy. It is still in operation. Both circuits have been tied together to form one circuit. Tower24 - 34.5-kV Metering & Switching Structure This 34.5-kV metering and switching structure is located east of Blue Springs, Missouri and formerly belonged to Missouri Public Service Company. Unfortunately, today the installation is part of KCP&L. Note the air break switching on the right pole with Joslyn vacuum break canisters added to the switch at a later time--probably in the 1970s. The unusual about this structure is that its current transformers, which appear as large ceramic barrel-type containers on the upper transverse arm. They have Westinghouse Autovalve arresters mounted on the northern side (not visible) and are of a unique style and type. Below them are potential transformers for voltage metering. The alley-type structure also sports Westinghouse Deion Boric Acid fuses on the opposite side of the structure. Tower25 - Triple Circuit 230-kV Transmission Double Dead-end This is an Xcel Energy/Public Service of Colorado structure not far from Golden, Colorado (near Denver). It carries 230-kV circuits in a loop around the Denver metropolitan area. The structure is shielded by two overhead static wires and is a massively tall monument, rising over 120 feet. Tower26 - 34.5-kV Current & Potential Metering Structure This is the rear of the former Missouri Public Service (now KCP&L) 34.5-kV current and potential metering structure west of Higginsville, Missouri on I70's northern service road. It is quite unusual for several reasons. Note the Joslyn Manufacturing & Supply Company High Voltage Division vacuum break

switches added to the air break switches on the far top arm. They post-date the age of the air break switches. Secondly, note the unusual style porcelainhoused current metering transformers, which appear as large barrel units on the transverse connecting upper arms. They have separate Westinghouse valve arresters mounted on them where connections are made. There are some Westinghouse De-ion Boric Acid fuses mounted for over current protection of these devices and below are conventional potential transformers. 34.5-kV Westinghouse lightning arresters appear as out-board mounted brown porcelain devices with a single top connection and a nearly invisible ground lead in series connecting them to a bond and ground. Tower27 - 69-kV Single Arm with Bayonet for OWG This former Missouri Public Service 69-kV single crossarm shielded circuit parallels I-70 west of Higginsville, Missouri. Portions of the line were outfitted with three-part Ohio Brass 69-kV pin-type ANSI gray insulators, while a number of Lapp ANSI brown chocolate post insulators are used on other portions of the line. Note that the bayonet is used for shielding and was added at a later time. Below the offset single arm line is a 12.47-kV distribution feeder under build to serve nearby farms along the path of this line. It can be reached by a northern service road paralleling I-70. This line was originally built and operated by Missouri Public Service Company. Unfortunately, today it is part of KCP&L. Tower28 - 69-kV Bayonetted Single Crossarm Post Line This late afternoon photograph of a former Missouri Public Service 69-kV transmission line with 12.47-kV under build, is located adjacent to I-70 between Higginsville and Blue Springs, Missouri. Unfortunately, it is now owned by KCP&L. Note the Lapp 69-kV ANSI chocolate brown post insulators on a single arm and the offset condition of this configuration. The shielding was added at a later date and uses a fixed bayonet with single OWG. Below the 69-kV line is a 12.47-kV under build to serve the farms located along this service road parallel to I-70. The view is looking east. Tower29 - Hughes Brothers Magnificent Kutting Edge Design This is a westward view of Nebraska Public Power District's 345-kV single circuit transmission line which originates at the NPPD nuclear plant at Brownville, Nebraska. These magnificent K-Frames are used with a plumb; they carry bundled EHV sub conductors effectively while nearly becoming part of the natural landscape with their wooden components. These KFrames are 26' apart between the poles at the base. The length of poles used in this line varies significantly; some poles are easily 85' and others at

ridge lines, are slightly lower, about 70'. Several of the K-Frames have been converted to H-Frames for reasons of insufficient clearance over U. S. and other highways. Much of this work was done last year. The K-Frame's most important economic advantage is the strength which lever arms impart to avoid torque loading at the insulator mountings. Note that this line does not use V-string suspensions. All suspension insulators are hung in vertical positions. The line was built in the late 1960s by Nebraska Public Power District. Tower30 - An A-Frame above the Waist This Nebraska Public Power District 161-kV A-Frame double wooden pole structure is designed and built by Hughes Brothers, Inc. of Seward, Nebraska. The date of this line was probably in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Note the double shield wire peaks which are insulated for power line carrier (two 4inch suspension bells on each side) and double arms for the phase conductor supports. This line sports single phase strings of vertical suspension insulators of the Lapp variety and Preformed spiral armor rods at the attachment points on the conductor. Tower31 - Sediver 345-kV Tempered Glass Suspensions A hazy day only dampened the glisten of these 345-kV (198-kV phase-tophase) transmission sub-conductors as seen on the Colby, Kansas Switchyard double dead-end structure. This 345-kV line begins at the Holcomb Station of Sunflower Electric and travels north to near Colby, KS and beyond. They cross I-70 midway between Oakley and Colby on single circuit bridge-type lattice towers. These insulators are made by the ItalianFrench firm, Sediver (pronounced Seh-dy-vur) and are seen in horizontal and vertical single suspension form as well as in their double yoke strain horizontal position. The sub-conductors of this line are prone to deflection because of their relatively light weight, so weights are added to the jumper insulators to maintain their regidity. Sediver insulators come in various forms; also in different colors: clear (as seen here) or in green. They are soda-lime insulators--not tempered--so they actually disintigrate upon rifle fire or high impact. Tempered glass fractures. Tower32 - High Voltage Equipment Co. Joslyn Mfg. & Supply Joslyn Manufacturing & Supply, based in Chicago, manufactures switchgear for air-break transmission construction. Here is a uniquely featured threepole switch outboard mounted on a 34.5-kV tap structure. Note the unique inter-phase drive controls between poles of the switch. The date of this line and switch is around post World War II and early 1950s. Also visible in the

photo to the right, are insulated down-guys (wooden) with arcing horns attached. They are manufactured by Hughes Brothers, Inc. of Seward, Nebraska. This installation is west of Hayes, Kansas and owned by Midwest Energy, Inc. Tower33 - Sunflower Electric G&T's 345-kV Holcomb Plant Line This is a broad view of the top of a double-dead-end 345-kV single circuit bridge-type lattice steel tower of Sunflower Electric Cooperative, a G&T, operating out of western Kansas. The insulators are Sediver soda lime clear suspension types, 10" in diameter, and probably are 50,000 lb. M&E strength units. Note the weights attached to the jumpers to control deflection of the sub-conductors of this 1980s EHV transmission line from the Holcomb Plant. Tower34 Unusual Two Support Pole Switching This Midwest Energy, Inc. two-pole structure supports an early RB-type Joslyn Manufacturing & Supply High Voltage Division air break switch. The date of this construction is late 1940s or early 1950s. The 34.5-kV line is operated by Midwest Energy of Hayes, Kansas. Tower35 - 4.5-kV Shielded Construction with Reclosers This 34.5-kV Westar (formerly KPL) sub-transmission line sports a shield wire on the apex of the pole, but also has a full three-phase 15-kV class 4H OCR installation on the distribution under build. Note the 200-amp disconnects on either side of the lowest crossarm which take advantage of the cutout-style holders. The age of this installation is unknown, but is probably in the 1970s period. Tower36 - Study in . . . Switches! This south Topeka switch structure is just plain littered with air break and inline switches on the two circuits of this structure. Above we have some late 1950s RI&E post insulator type mid-break interrupter switches (some of the insulators have been replaced a time or two) for a 34.5-kV line. Below, we have a 12.47-kVY three-phase circuit with Bridges Electric 15-kV class in-line switches. The line is owned by Westar Energy and is located near Topeka, Kansas. The "in-line" switch is not new; however engineers of the new era are scarcely aware that Delta Star introduced them in the early 1900s and were used at voltages up to 110-kV! Turner, ITT-Blackburn, and Bridges Electric built them. Turner introduced a very early version which was good in all respects except one: it used General Electric "GEPOL" insulators. These insulators were very early polymer/fiberglass types. In the early 1970s, most of these failed by the millions. The UV radiation would literally decompose

the ribbed petticoats of the dead-end unit, causing mold to begin (in places with high humidity like Houston, Texas and Iowa). They were not selfwashing as porcelain, and these literally melted. The GEPOL insulator could be held in one hand and the material pulled off the fiberglass rod like silly puddy. They would flashover and most of them were immediately removed, once a few failures were experienced by utilities. Iowa Power removed their GEPOL types as fast as possible. GE must have recognized they had a problem; they quickly dumped the insulator and patents on an unsuspecting little company called Rezline. Soon, GE was done with the problem and the insulators destroyed Rezline. Very typical GE behavior. Tower37 - KP&L 230-kV Double Circuit Tower This 230-kV double circuit lattice-steel transmission tower is a circuit joining former KG&E with KP&L. Today, the companies have been joined into Westar Energy in Topeka. This line has just begun its jaunt from Tecumseh Generating Plant in Tecumseh, Kansas (just east of Topeka) and is on its way to a switchyard east of Wichita. The second circuit has not been occupied, but can be insulated and conductored to offer a second circuit of 230-kV. Note the unusual "Goat Head" or "Goat Horned" overhead ground wire shield supports. The body of this structure is a low profile style and the body is much more light-weight than many of its colleagues throughout the U. S. Tower38 - Capital Electric Contractors Re-Insulating 115-kV Before the old Z-structure built for 69-kV by Hughes Brothers back in 1951, can come down, conductors must be attached to new polymer post insulators. The bucket crew is making final arrangements to take these "out of service" primary conductors and move them away from the old Zstructure which will be coming down soon. Capital Electric Contractors of Kansas City, MO is doing this job of replacing old 60-year old poles, insulators and arms; so that service continuity might be maintained on this 115-kV loop feed transmission circuit. The utility utilized the 69-kV structure because clearances were sufficient to operate it at 115-kV because it was a "grounded Y" type connection to substation transformers. The line-to-ground voltage was around 60-kV, which was sufficient to use a lower voltage class structure. However, the new structures have been engineered for higher and wider clearances for today's standards. This retired Z-structure has become an artifact of The Electric Orphanage, whose retirement will allow it to be used for line worker training, public energy enlightenment and technical power professionals' programs.