A strong storm rolls through your neighborhood. The wind picks up, rain pours down and a tree branch comes crashing into a power line. In the past, that might have meant hours without electricity. But today, many customers might not notice anything at all because of PPL Electric’s Smart Grid.
Over the past decade, we’ve invested in building a smarter, stronger electric grid, with Smart Grid technology playing a major role. It’s designed to help prevent outages before customers experience them and restore power faster when problems do happen.
The Smart Grid is made up of intelligent devices, sensors and software installed throughout our system. These tools constantly monitor the flow of electricity and quickly detect issues caused by storms, fallen trees or failing equipment. Should a problem occur, the system can isolate it and reroute power around the trouble spot in real time — often restoring service to many customers in just minutes.
Since 2015, this technology has prevented more than 3 million outages across our service territory. That means millions of moments where lights stayed on, homes stayed comfortable and everyday routines weren’t interrupted. Even when outages can’t be avoided entirely, the Smart Grid helps reduce how long they last as the data we receive from devices also helps us pinpoint issues and dispatch crews more efficiently to handle issues as safely and quickly as possible.
And our Smart Grid is getting smarter every day. PPL Electric was the first utility to implement a Smart Grid in this way, and we’re continually upgrading it with better automation, faster communication and advanced tools that help us respond more efficiently. Between 2026 and 2029, we’re investing more than $8 billion in infrastructure improvements, including expanding grid automation with additional Smart Grid devices to further strengthen reliability.
Smart Grid technology is one part of a larger reliability effort that also includes rebuilding aging power lines, installing more storm‑resistant poles and wires, trimming trees year‑round and maintaining equipment before it fails. Together, these proactive investments help deliver reliable electric service you can depend on.
Keeping your lights on means planning ahead, investing wisely and using technology to work smarter. That’s how we create value for customers today — and build a grid that’s ready for tomorrow.
May is National Electrical Safety Month, a great time to learn how to stay safe around electricity at home. Electricity helps power our lights, appliances, phones, and more — but if it’s not used the right way, it can be dangerous.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, electrical home structure fires cause the following every year:
51,000 fires
1,400 injuries
500 deaths
$1.3 billion in property damage
The good news? Many electrical accidents can be prevented with a few easy safety steps. Here’s a room-by-room guide to help you and your family stay safe at home.
Download this room-by-room checklist to help keep you and your home safe!
Living Room Safety
Living rooms often have lamps, TVs, game systems and phone chargers — all using electricity.
Safety tips:
Check cords on lamps and electronics. Don’t use them if they are cracked or frayed.
Make sure outlets and switches have faceplates and work properly.
Never run cords under rugs or furniture, as they can overheat.
Keep space heaters far away from curtains, furniture and other items that can catch fire.
Don’t plug too many things into one outlet or power strip.
If children live in or visit your home, use outlet safety covers.
Kitchen Safety
Water and electricity don’t mix, so kitchens need extra care.
Safety tips:
Keep appliances like toasters and mixers away from the sink.
Unplug small appliances when you’re not using them.
Make sure refrigerator coils are clean and there’s space behind the fridge for airflow.
Kitchens should have GFCI outlets (outlets with “test” and “reset” buttons). Test them once a month.
Keep a Type C fire extinguisher nearby in case of an electrical fire.
Bathroom Safety
Bathrooms also have water, which makes electrical safety very important.
Safety tips:
Keep hair dryers, razors and other electric items away from sinks, tubs and toilets.
Unplug appliances when you’re done using them.
Install and test GFCI outlets monthly.
Use safety covers on unused outlets, especially if kids are around.
Bedroom Safety
Bedrooms may seem low-risk, but chargers and cords can still cause problems.
Safety tips:
Don’t run cords under beds, rugs, or furniture.
Unplug phone chargers and other electronics when not in use.
Check cords regularly for damage.
Make sure outlets and switches are covered.
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors outside sleeping areas and on every floor of your home.
Basement Safety
Basements often hold big appliances and electrical panels.
Safety tips:
Know where your main electrical shutoff is located.
Label your circuit breaker box clearly so you know which breaker controls each area.
Make sure breakers have the correct amperage.
Clean dryer lint after every use and leave space behind washers and dryers for airflow.
Use GFCI outlets near washers, sump pumps, and utility sinks.
Keep space heaters away from boxes and stored items.
Garage Safety
Garages often use power tools, heavy equipment and additional appliances.
Safety tips:
Check cords and plugs on all tools.
Unplug tools when they’re not in use.
Use tools with three-prong plugs when possible.
Avoid overloading outlets, especially when using power tools.
Make sure your garage has the correct breaker size for its electrical needs.
Keep boxes and storage items away from outlets and wiring.
Outdoor Electrical Safety
While it’s important to make sure the inside of your home is safe, at home safety also means being careful outdoors.
Safety tips:
Use outdoor-rated outlets with waterproof covers.
Never use indoor extension cords outside. Look for cords marked “SJTW.”
Only use generators outdoors, at least 20 feet away from your home, and never near doors or windows.
Never open or touch your electric meter—only trained professionals should do that.
Before digging for any project, call 811 at least three business days ahead to avoid hitting underground lines.
A Safe Home Starts With You
Electrical safety doesn’t have to be hard. By checking cords, using the right outlets and keeping electricity away from water and flammable items, you can help protect your home and your family.
This National Electrical Safety Month, take a few minutes to walk through your home and spot potential hazards. Small steps today can help prevent big problems tomorrow.
More than 500 students across the region put their creativity to work in this year’s Bright Ideas Energy Efficiency Student Poster Contest and the Think! Energy Innovation Challenge, presented by PPL Electric Utilities. From colorful posters to inventive project submissions, students shared practical ways their communities can conserve energy and protect the environment.
Participants in both contests were students whose classes took part in hands‑on energy efficiency presentations. This year’s poster themes included recycling, reducing wasted electricity, choosing efficient lighting, the benefits of solar power, and simple everyday actions families can take at home.
Young creators from K–8 lead the way
Students in kindergarten through 8th grade submitted hundreds of posters to the Bright Ideas Energy Efficiency Student Poster Contest. The artwork highlighted students’ understanding of sustainability while also capturing their enthusiasm for conservation.
Grand prize winners earned a $100 gift card, a $100 teacher grant, and a classroom pizza or ice cream party. Honorable mention recipients received a $25 gift card and a class celebration as well.
This year’s teachers emphasized the lasting impact of sustainability education.
“My students and I would like to thank you for not only honoring us with a great celebration, but also inspiring them to make a difference in the world through energy conservation,” said Stacey Bottley, 2nd grade teacher at Drums Elementary. “Your program makes a difference in the choices they make. It provides them with the knowledge and opportunities to think first about their everyday actions.”
High‑school students innovate for the future
The Think! Energy Innovation Challenge invited 9th–12th grade students to create videos or artwork promoting water and energy efficiency. Teams of up to four students participated, and judges selected both grand prize and honorable mention winners. Each winning team member received wireless headphones.
PPL Electric Utilities celebrates the 2026 winners
PPL Electric Utilities is proud to continue supporting classrooms, teachers, and student innovators through these annual contests. Find the full list of winners below and enjoy their artwork here.
Poster contest pizza party at Drums Elementary School. Poster contest honorable mention (Julian) from Moscow Elementary School. Innovation Challenge honorable mentions (Jordan, Ari and Skylar) from Souderton Area High School. Innovation Challenge grand prize winners (Stella and Addisyn) from Susquenita High School.
Grades K–2
Grand Prize: Kaleesi (Ms. Stacey Bottley; Drums Elementary School)
We know that any price increase matters to our customers. The fact sheet below explains how PPL Electric works to keep your electric service reliable and your bill as low as possible. About half of a typical bill covers the cost of electricity itself, which PPL Electric passes through at no markup, while the rest supports maintaining local power lines, delivering electricity across the regional grid, and funding state‑required programs and taxes. By tightly controlling everyday expenses and investing early in modern, resilient infrastructure, PPL Electric helps prevent bigger costs down the road. These smart choices have helped deliver the lowest total residential electric bills and local delivery charges among large Pennsylvania utilities, all with strong regulatory oversight to ensure rates stay fair and focused on long‑term reliability for customers.
On Friday, March 20, residents and commuters in downtown Dickson City witnessed an impressive sight: a 220-ton transformer making its way through Main Street on its journey to our Lackawanna substation.
This delivery was the first of seven scheduled transformer transports taking place between March and June as part of our ongoing reliability upgrades throughout our 29-county service territory. These major equipment upgrades are essential to strengthening the grid and improving long-term reliability.
In total, these deliveries will directly help improve reliability for 155,000 customers in our territory. The delivery through Dickson City alone will benefit over 36,000 customers.
Big accommodations for big deliveries
The sheer size of the equipment – roughly 25 feet long and 12 feet high – required a highly coordinated transport effort. Crews moved slowly through the downtown area on Friday afternoon, halting intersections and lifting utility lines where necessary to allow the oversized load to move safely to its destination.
While the move did cause some brief traffic delays, the operation went smoothly thanks to cooperation between PPL Electric, contractors, local officials and the community.
What does a transformer do?
Transformers are an important part of a substation. As electricity travels, it will head to substations, where transformers will increase or decrease voltage – think “transforming” – so that it can safely travel to its next destination.
The transformer heading to our Lackawanna substation will replace an older transformer to improve efficiency and reduce maintenance.
Bigger. Newer. Better.
With six additional deliveries scheduled in the coming months, customers will continue to see our investments in action. And if you see one of these transformers on the move (they’re hard to miss!), know that they’re helping move safer, more reliable power into your homes and businesses.
