Power Lines

Am I the only one annoyed by the power lines coming in to CP while driving in? Every time I take a picture driving up to the Point those stupid power lines get in the way. I wish they would put them underground. If nobody knows what I'm talking about here's a picture:
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad112/njr140/poles_zps7559bf3c.png

Maybe don't take a picture there? Or perhaps stop the car and get out to take a decent picture instead of one driving?

I am curious, how many pictures would a person need to have of Cedar Point from that spot?

Its not just that spot, its on the whole causeway. Look around. If you look at the pictures of people driving up, the power lines are almost always in the pictures.

I get that but couldn't you just google CP pictures and print one off, I am guessing a couple of them won't have power lines in them.

I've never really had an issue with them. All of my CP skyline pics are powerline free.

I've never actually noticed them until you pointed them out.. If you are suggesting that they remove them and burry the lines, I wouldn't get your hopes up. That doesn't seem like it would be a high priority for the park.

Actually "they" mentioned possibly burying the power lines and updating the toll both area not long ago.

How can they burry them? The Causeway isn't a piece of land is it?

Last I checked. No. I believe there is a small island half way through but I never take that way. I would much rather pick out my future house on the lake.

Unless Cedar Point would tear up the pavement and put the lines underground, is there really any other option? I don't think many guests notice the power lines when they are distracted by the view of Top Thrill Dragster or Windseeker.

Burying power lines along the causeway is likely considerably more difficult than burying them most other places. You have a water table that's not going to play kindly with anything buried, not to mention there's a few bridges on the causeway you'd have to get the lines across without interfering with the boats.

I'd love to see them buried, but I would bet its close to the bottom of their priority list.

On the topic of power lines though, I'm always surprised that there aren't any more power lines coming into the park than what you see on the Causeway and the Chaussee/scenic route.

Burying the power lines is a good idea because they would not be subjected to storms and possible damage if buried, or for that matter, people who loose control of their cars and possibly knock a pole down.

I don't know if there are additional power lines that you can't see, but it just seems like what is on the road would not be enough to power the entire peninsula. There is a newer building by the parking lot that looks like some type of power substation, perhaps there are already either underground lines or underwater lines going across the bay to CP.

Rcoaster10 said:
Am I the only one annoyed by the power lines coming in to CP while driving in?

It certainly seems so. :)

It's not like you're going to get a decent picture while moving anyway (as evidenced by that blurry photo you linked to). If you really need a skyline pic of the park (and the hundreds of decent ones available online don't suit you for whatever reason), head over to Battery Park.

That building Pete is a pump house.

The majority of the power lines that provide the rather large amount of power (for such a small area) are already buried. Next time you enter the park, starting just before the toll booth, you will see large removable sections of concrete (plugs) about 4' square in the roadway.

The plugs allow Ohio energy (as well as municipal utilities) access to the pathways that distribute power (and other services) to the park.

When Maverick was installed they had to make a new run down perimeter road to provide the larger amount of power required for the lsms. At that time the added a new plug in the roadway just prior to where the walkway to the marina gate begins from the front lot.

The wires you are seeing are more than likely communication lines or low voltage (120 vac) that are for the toll booth, pump station, lighting, bridge buoys or a number of other things I'm not thinking of.

My guess is that there is some reason (accessibility or multiple customers on those lines not just CP) that will not allow CP or Ohio energy to bury the lines, but that's just my guess.

Those lines down the causeway look more like 12.5kV lines.

Most of the distribution voltages on First Energy's Grid are 32.5 kV (32,500 V) and 12.5 kV (12,500 V), then they place local distribution transformers (usually green, about the size of a smart car). These transformers have very high normally are 500kVA rated or 1000kVA rated.

I have a large industrial customer that has feeds into their plant that are fairly close to what is feeding up the main causeway overhead. they generate somewhere around 4800A of 480Vac power for their plant from the 12.5kV feeder into their plant, and really only have that 12.5kV feeder 30% loaded.

I wouldn't be surprised if the park has at least two if not three feeders into the site from multiple substations. Including the lines that come in on Cedar Point Rd. I know their main substation is off of first st.

The curse of the Electrical Engineer, I pay way too much attention to power lines and electrical controls.

Looking at MF just for a bit of a power consumption baseline, that ride alone is (by my best guess) using about 1000A. 700 HP motor (~ 800 A) controls and an air compressor (~ 200A)

I also know that TTD has 2 3500kva transformers (@ 480v) for its step down power supply, but I'm not sure how much capacity is used up on them.

In 2002 and 2007 Ohio brought in 2 new feeds on top of what was already in place. I would lean towards at least 4 incoming feeds at the bare minimum.

I'm all for burying all power lines at Cedar Point and nationwide. Power lines photo bomb my otherwise great photos way too often.

But I like when the the power pole transformers blow up in the tornados! :D

Ever Since I went to Europe on a trip in 2010, I have a hate for power lines. You don't really notice how much of a presence they have till you go to a place which has almost no above ground power lines. Everything looks much better.