The iPad Southern California Edison lineman Nathan Davis is holding displays virtual animation as he is walked through a step-by-step process to help troubleshoot an electrical equipment issue in the field.

The technology Davis is testing is known as Augmented Reality and is part of a pilot program that could help revolutionize the way linemen in the field make repairs. In addition to diagnosing complex automation and protection equipment, AR could help determine a substation issue or if equipment is energized.

“This is much easier than trying to read instructions on a job aid and it allows us to be more efficient by finishing the job in less time,” said Davis, 30, who works out of SCE’s Santa Ana Service Center.

AR technology lets users see computer-generated perceptional animation in a real-world environment on iPads. Several companies and utilities across the country are testing and using AR, which has increased job efficiency and improved the safety performance of employees.

Christopher Huff, an SCE engineer, is leading the AR research and is part of SCE’s Grid Technology Innovation team.

“Currently, the technology is in the proof-of-concept phase. The next step is to conduct a large focus group with journeyman linemen and other field workers,” said Huff, who is also partnering with SCE’s Transmission and Distribution Training team.

“Some will use the technology and others will continue to use the traditional method of reading a job aid to troubleshoot a system issue.”

If AR testing goes well and employees are comfortable using the technology, then it could be deployed sometime in the future, said Huff. However, the AR technology could look different, possibly in the form of headgear instead of on an iPad, so field crews can work more efficiently by having both hands free.

“I believe it offers a lot of value for the company, and I’m excited about the remote support assistance capabilities and next-generation AR display technologies,” Huff said.

Once the technology has proven to be effective, it could be an important tool for linemen in the field helping with safety while keeping the lights on for SCE customers.

“I like the fact that the technology is simply an app on my device and as new technologies emerge to troubleshoot the grid of the future, there will be a lot more to learn and retain so Augmented Reality will help reduce potential errors,” said Davis.