Morristown's Manhole Covers Get Tech Upgrade

Morristown's downtown streets are getting a tech facelift. 

Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) has installed innovative manhole covers in the downtown Morristown area as part of a year-long effort to enhance the town’s underground electric system. 

The new covers feature latching devices that allow ventilation of the system while preventing the covers from being displaced, according to a news release. The covers also prohibit unauthorized entry through the manholes, which provide access to Morristown’s underground electrical network for equipment maintenance and inspections. 

“Upgrading Morristown's underground electrical network is part of JCP&L's ongoing effort to enhance the reliability of our system," said JCP&L President Don Lynch. "Whether it’s utilizing innovative new manhole covers, replacing or refurbishing equipment, or providing additional training for our employees and local first-responders, the Morristown project reflects the continuous improvements our customers have come to expect." 

JCP&L officials worked closely with local officials throughout the Morristown underground network project. The project includes:  

• Installation of new underground electric switches 
• Refurbishing a transformer along Flagler Street 
• Completing preventative maintenance on circuit breakers and sampling oil in the underground network electrical transformers 
• Adding special animal guards on four circuits at the Morristown substation to prevent animal-related outages 
• Additional training for employees on electrical vault inspections and data collection to support effective preventative maintenance 
• Electrical safety training on the underground network for Morristown firefighters 
• Upgrading relays at the Morristown substation to help reduce the length of any future power outages 

JCP&L is a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE). JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L and Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL.