Why do we need Animal Protection in Substations?
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 8
Power grids are designed to distribute electricity over long distances. Millions of homes, factories, and hospitals rely on the continuous flow of energy every single second. However, one of the most common causes of unexpected power cuts doesn't have anything to do with digital software or advanced control rooms. It comes down to local wildlife, like birds, squirrels, and small rodents, entering active electrical areas. Protecting substations from animal contact is not just a standard maintenance task, t has become a requirement that directly impacts the energy industry, the stability of daily civil life, and the local fauna.
Substations contain many open metal connections, such as transformer bushings and open busbars, which carry very high voltages. For an electrical system to run safely, there must be enough air space between live parts, or between a live part and the ground. Wildlife does not understand electricity; they only follow natural survival behaviors.
Why do small rodents enter substations?
During cold winter months, the internal components of a transformer generate heat, making substations attractive, warm shelters for small rodents. A squirrel could, for example, climb across a frame and accidentally bridge the gap between two different electrical phases, or between a live connection and a grounded metal structure.
Why do birds get electrocuted in substations?
Birds look for high, stable metal structures to build nests or to rest. When a bird opens its wings they can touch two energized components and, because the animal’s body conducts electricity, this physical contact creates an immediate path for the current. The result is a severe short circuit, an automatic system shutdown, and, in most cases, the animal does not survive.
What is the cost of grid interruption due to wildlife?
When these animal-caused outages occur, the immediate problem for any utility company is an outage. This can trigger a massive spike in unexpected costs:
Automatic breaker trips to protect the grid, resulting in service interruptions.
Technicians spending valuable hours locating and repairing the fault.
Costly components, such as ceramic insulators and transformer bushings, damaged or destroyed by the intense heat of the electrical arc.
Communities losing access to essential services, including heating, refrigeration, and traffic signals.
Local businesses suffering significant financial losses due to unplanned outages.
Factories forced to halt production, disrupting operations and reducing productivity.
Critical facilities, such as hospitals and water treatment plants, having to rely on backup generators to maintain essential services.
Preventing the initial flashover at the substation is the only real way to protect the public and keep the network stable.
How to prevent animals from getting electrocuted in substations?
To solve this problem effectively, the electrical industry cannot rely on active deterrents like sounds or strobe lights, because animals adapt to these noises quickly. The only reliable method is physical separation. Instead of changing the entire substation design, maintenance teams can install specific silicone covers over open, vulnerable connections. The Animal Protection Covers act as a strong dielectric barrier. If a bird lands on a covered bushing or a rodent walks across a sealed connection, the silicone prevents the electricity from jumping through the animal's body.
Choosing silicone covers is important because substations face extreme outdoor weather, strong sun rays, and freezing temperatures. Standard plastics become brittle, crack, and fall off after a few seasons, leaving the equipment exposed again. Midsun’s silicone remains flexible and intact for many years, ensuring long-term protection. By blocking the path of the electrical current, these barriers protect expensive equipment from burning, eliminate unexpected power cuts for local communities, and keep local wildlife safe from fatal contact. Every substation faces a unique mix of weather, local fauna, and environmental conditions. If you want to understand how, Animal Protective covers can stabilize your local network and protect your infrastructure, let's share a technical conversation. Get in touch with our engineering team at Midsun IKM to analyze your site needs.
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