As shoppers finalize their holiday gift lists and area shopping malls prepare for the bustling holiday season, PECO is ready to keep the season warm and bright. PECO has completed the inspection of approximately 200 miles of aerial line and 20 circuits that provide electric service to regional shopping malls and regional shipping company distribution centers. The company also has upgraded, replaced and repaired electrical equipment and completed more than 100 jobs as part of the company’s winter readiness work to ensure reliable service for all customers during the winter months. This work is part of PECO’s annual $500 million investment to continue to provide safe and reliable electricity for customers and businesses.

The inspections included visual examination of PECO’s aerial electric system to identify potential issues like damaged equipment and sagging lines. Infrared cameras also were used to identify potential future issues before they occur by recording temperature variations within a piece of equipment while it is in operation.

The shopping mall and shipping company circuit inspections were performed as part of PECO’s annual circuit patrol program. This program also includes the inspection of 1,884 circuits and more than 10,000 miles of aerial lines throughout the service territory. More than 80 percent of the corrective maintenance actions identified during the 2014 inspections already have been completed. In addition, PECO has begun to plan and prepare for the 2015 circuit patrol program.

“Preventative maintenance programs, such as annual inspections, help us identify and address potential issues before they impact our customers,” said Eric Helt, vice president of Electric Operations. “This inspection program ensures reliable electric service for area businesses to support the increased economic activity for the region during the holiday shopping season.”

These inspections are part of PECO’s overall preventative maintenance program, which includes regular inspection of electric and natural gas equipment, including manholes, underground cables, transformers, substations and pipelines.

Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC). PECO serves 1.6 million electric and more than 500,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and employs about 2,400 people in the region. PECO delivered 85.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 37.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2013. Founded in 1881, PECO is one of the Greater Philadelphia Region's most active corporate citizens, providing leadership, volunteer and financial support to numerous arts and culture, education, environmental, economic development and community programs and organizations. For more information visit PECO.com, and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

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