At Dairyland, we are dedicated to solving problems. We take pride in our resourcefulness and ability to connect with customers to develop innovative solutions for the toughest industry problems. That is why, in 2025, Dairyland created new Market Segment Manager roles within the company to build upon our relationships in the pipeline and electric utility industries. These positions are designed to create a tighter connection to the inner workings of each industry, bringing deeper knowledge of the challenges our customers face and ensuring Dairyland remains a trusted, informed partner in solving them.
Here, Phil Eggen, Market Segment Manager of Pipelines, and Mason Spang, Market Segment Manager of Electric Utilities, discuss their roles and explain how they deliver to customers the expertise needed to help solve their complex industry problems.
What exactly is a Market Segment Manager?
Mason: A Market Segment Manager (MSM) is a dedicated resource to Dairyland and the customers of a specific market. MSMs are able to take a step back from individual accounts and find what larger changes need to occur to best serve the entire market. Understanding what problems matter most to customers is the foundation. From there, MSMs work internally at Dairyland to build solutions.
Phil: Simply put, a Market Segment Manager represents the voice of the customer for a specific market. When an MSM is truly in tune with this voice, Dairyland will be able to deliver solutions for the right problems that customers are most concerned about.
How does this differ from the role of Dairyland’s Business Development team?
Phil: The Business Development (BD) team will coordinate and deliver solutions to our partners in the industry that our products can solve. BD builds meaningful relationships with distributors and individual accounts to ensure their needs are being met. They are connected to the industry through various conferences, in-person visits, and personalized training—and they keep tabs on larger projects that may need some direction of product selection or design support.
Market Segment Managers look at the market holistically to understand what common problems are shared between customers. We then work with internal teams to find a solution for that problem. This solution can range from something as significant as a new product launch or can be simpler in nature—but still impactful—such as clearer communication materials. MSMs also ensure that Dairyland products remain well positioned within each market and review feedback to determine if improvements are needed.
Why is Dairyland committed to better understanding the pipeline and electric utility industries?
Mason: In the electric utility market, Dairyland’s origins trace back to the relationships built within the industry — stemming from early work solving stray voltage issues on agricultural facilities. Fast forward to the present, where we’ve realized that now more than ever, electric utilities could benefit from our expertise in isolation and electrical interference solutions. As inverter-based resources continue to grow, right-of-way corridors become more congested, and demand for power increases, the company recognized that we are uniquely positioned to help.
Phil: In the pipeline market, Dairyland has always strived to understand what problems our customers are facing and how we can help. It’s in our mission to be a trusted leader in specialized electrical solutions, and the pipeline industry is a large focus of our attention to be innovative for this market. Summed up in a few words we like to say: “We are here to help”.
How does Dairyland make sure the customer’s voice gets heard?
Mason: Dairyland is very intentional about making sure the feedback from our customers and partners is heard. We attend dozens of tradeshows and conferences around the world to make it easy for customers to talk with us on their most pressing issues. At Dairyland, we strive to be great listeners and ask the right questions that get to the root of our customers’ problems.
Phil: Dairyland is committed to working with our customers to find out their problems and then determine if our team of experts can provide a solution. We have recently rolled out a new internal process called Core Technology Innovation Development (CTID). This process starts from any idea that comes into Dairyland; evaluating it to see if it fits with our core design philosophy of providing specialized electrical solutions, and if it does, we work to develop the product. This is a joint effort, led by the MSM department, with input from business development and engineering departments. While Dairyland has been successful with developing solutions for our customers’ problems in the past, this new process puts more up-front emphasis on listening closely to truly understand the root of the issue. Once confirmed, we then work to provide a solution that meets their needs.
What is your background as it pertains to the market you oversee?
Phil: I have been at Dairyland for almost six years, working with customers in numerous industries to apply our products for their various applications. In this time, I have come to appreciate the complexities that come from the variety of situations where decouplers can be used to help solve CP system issues.
Prior to joining Dairyland, I held a variety of roles within the pipeline industry. For nearly 15 years, I worked for a major gas utility company, where I gained an understanding of how transmission and distribution piping systems are operated and maintained. At the gas utility company, I was introduced to cathodic protection and have now been in the CP industry for over 17 years. Before joining Dairyland, I worked as a consultant in the CP industry, helping customers with AC mitigation and CP designs and surveys.
Mason: I joined Dairyland in 2025 with a technical background in Engineering Physics and experience in asset management. Prior to Dairyland, I helped develop solutions alongside utilities to predict failures of circuit breakers, transformers, and back-up batteries. I am active in a variety of IEEE Power and Energy Society Committees related to electrical interference challenges. These include the IEEE 1695 Stray and Contact Voltage, IEEE 2746 AC Interference on Linear Facilities, and AMPP SC11 on Electric Power.
What do you do to keep a pulse and maintain credibility within your market?
Phil: I try to be active in a variety of ways to stay in front of issues related to the pipeline market. The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) offers numerous options to keep in touch with issues and allows input from operators, consultants, construction groups, and product manufacturers. I am active with my local AMPP chapter in Chicago, and also attend several AMPP conferences across the country. In addition, I keep apprised of the standards that AMPP maintains and I offer my opinion and expertise where necessary.
Mason: People who are in the industry can attest that continuous education and awareness of emerging technologies is critical for success. I maintain credibility by attending conferences, participating in committees, and engaging in educational webinars to gather a variety of information and perspectives on our industries’ challenges. Most importantly, I maintain a pulse on the market by visiting with partners and customers to talk in real time about the challenges they face.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Mason: Meeting customers where they are is at the core of what Dairyland does. Whether that means getting boots on the ground in your substation or simply picking up the phone, we are always ready to show up. Beyond solving problems, we are happy to bring value to your team by provided educational training sessions on topics such as DC electrical interference or AC mitigation. If this is of interest to you, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Phil: I can’t emphasize enough the saying “We are here to help”. If you have something that has you scratching your head or a problem others can’t figure out, give us a call or reach out through our online portal and we’ll look into it.
If you’re wrestling with a problem, and would like to consult with Dairyland’s Market Segment Managers, please contact us here.
Contact Phil (Pipeline Market) Contact Mason (Electric Utility Market)
Stoughton, WI – Dairyland Electrical Industries is honored to be the winner of the 2025 Best Places to Work in Manufacturing award, presented by Best Companies Group.
Best Places to Work in Manufacturing is a research-driven program administered by Best Companies Group that evaluates workplace excellence through a comprehensive review of company practices, programs, and benefits, paired with direct employee feedback. Evaluation criteria focus on leadership, corporate culture, role satisfaction, work environment, training and development, compensation and benefits, and overall employee engagement.
Team members at the Dairyland Pound location dress as their favorite Dairyland Cow during spirit week 2025
In 2024, Dairyland was named Wisconsin Best Place to Work in Manufacturing by Insight Publications after entering the program as part of its Operation Great Place (OGP) initiative. OGP was launched to build on Dairyland’s strong workplace reputation by fostering a culture that supports employee attraction, engagement, retention, and a shared sense of purpose. Participation in the Wisconsin program provided an opportunity to benchmark progress and performance.
To continue measuring progress and employee satisfaction, Dairyland entered the national Best Places to Work in Manufacturing program after the Wisconsin-specific award paused for 2025.
On Tuesday, February 3, Dairyland team members gathered in person to watch the virtual awards ceremony together and celebrate the moment. Competing on a nationwide stage, Dairyland was honored to be ranked #1 among manufacturing organizations across the country.
We invest deeply in culture because people matter. When people feel valued, supported, and connected to purpose, they do their best work, and that creates meaningful benefits for our customers and communities. This recognition affirms what we believe to be true: strong culture and strong results are not an either/or choice, they are a powerful both/and. I’m grateful for everyone at Dairyland who lives out our values daily and makes our culture real. —Amy Wedell, Programs & Systems Senior Manager
About Dairyland Electrical Industries
At Dairyland, we cultivate innovation to deliver rugged and reliable solutions. Addressing a wide range of complex electrical problems, we engineer our highly specialized products to provide safety protection for assets and personnel across numerous industries. Backed by third-party certifications to standards around the world, Dairyland manufactures products to the highest quality, ensuring unmatched performance. We are dedicated to understanding our customers’ needs and providing reliable products and service. If a solution to your problem does not yet exist, we’ll work to find one. Our experienced team excels at finding innovative solutions for your toughest problems.
Beyond our products, we use business as a force for good to support our vision to make a safer world. We do this by volunteering locally in our communities and working with non-profit organizations that provide safety and stability for people around the world. We believe that by working together, we can expand our reach and create more opportunities to enhance the quality of life for others.
Stoughton, WI – Dairyland is proud to announce successful recertification to ISO 9001:2015 after meeting all the requirements of our new ISO audit partner, Amtivo. Over the next few years, we will continue to have annual surveillance audits to ensure we maintain this high standard of excellence in our pursuit of quality across the company.
What is ISO 9001? ISO 9001 is a global Quality Management System standard. Certification confirms an organization’s commitment to improving quality, delivering more efficient operations, and improving customer satisfaction.
Who is Amtivo? Amtivo provides ISO certification services focused on the areas of quality management, health and safety, and information security. Their standards provide organizations with the framework to implement change and improve products, processes, and people.
“This accomplishment is no small feat! It reflects the hard work, attention to detail, and unwavering dedication each of our employees show every day to our customers and to quality. Every process followed, every improvement made, and every effort to do things the right way contributed to this success.” —Joe Mutchler, Manufacturing & Quality Manager
Stoughton, WI – Dairyland Electrical Industries is pleased to formally announce recent changes to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
In early September of last year, Dairyland’s Executive Leadership Team underwent a transformation. Below is a summary of the changes to the team.
Ken Schuh (left) was promoted to Executive Vice President of Strategic Growth. For over 12 years, Ken worked as Dairyland’s EVP of Operations. Ken is well-suited for his new role, as he seeks to bring Dairyland more holistically to new and existing markets.
Robert Whitehouse (second from left) is the newest member of the team; he was promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations. Robert has been with Dairyland for over two years, leading our supply chain team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role.
Kailey Tachick’s title now more accurately reflects her duties at Dairyland. She is the Executive Vice President of Finance, Systems, and Culture.
Please join us in congratulating each of them.
Stoughton, WI – Dairyland Electrical Industries is honored to be the winner of the 2024 Wisconsin Best Places to Work in Manufacturing award, presented by Insight On Manufacturing.
“I am so proud of our team! This could never be done by one or two people – it is a lived, believed, whole-company effort of intentionality.” –Mike Tachick, President
This year, Dairyland launched project “Operation Great Place.” This initiative set out to build on their reputation as a great workplace by fostering a culture that strengthens employee attraction, engagement, retention, and sense of purpose. The project team set out to understand what draws people to Dairyland, why they choose to stay, and how their experience can be made better. Through this process, it was discovered that the Dairyland team is highly motivated by strong relationships and purpose-driven work.
To capitalize on these insights, they created an attraction and retention strategy that includes clear messaging about our culture, values, and benefits for both recruiting and internal engagement. A ‘fun and togetherness’ plan was also introduced, and the team entered the ‘Best Places to Work in Manufacturing in Wisconsin’ competition to benchmark standing and progress.
“Winning this award affirms that Dairyland is truly an exceptional place to work, and we’re excited to continue building on this success.” –Amy Wedell, Programs & Systems Senior Manager, and Jen Merryman, Inside Sales Representative II (Project Managers of Operation Great Place)
“At Dairyland, culture is a guiding philosophy, a core component of how we define quality, and an intentional long-term investment because we believe it matters tremendously. That is why it felt so meaningful to receive this award, which thoroughly assesses company culture from programs and benefits to the direct employee experience. Every organization has a culture; the question becomes what that culture looks, sounds, or feels like and whether it can be sustained over time. I am proud of the culture we are building together at Dairyland as we look at all areas of the business, our purpose for existence, and our work together as we earnestly strive to use business for good. Our lives are too short and precious – and the world’s needs too great – for any other way of doing business.” –Kailey Tachick, Executive Vice President of Finance, Systems, & Culture
Insight Publications’ mission is connecting minds and creating insights by offering dynamic, creative platforms for sharing business news and information – from magazines and events to digital messaging and marketing partnerships.
Dozens of manufacturers across the state of Wisconsin were considered as part of Insight Publications’ inaugural Best Places to Work in Manufacturing program. An independent survey was conducted by Workforce Research Group, which sought to help employers benchmark their employee benefits and company culture. Ten companies were ultimately selected to be honored on November 13, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.
About Dairyland Electrical Industries
At Dairyland, we cultivate innovation to deliver rugged and reliable solutions. Addressing a wide range of complex electrical problems, we engineer our highly specialized products to provide safety protection for assets and personnel across numerous industries. Backed by third-party certifications to standards around the world, Dairyland manufactures products to the highest quality, ensuring unmatched performance. We are dedicated to understanding our customers’ needs and providing reliable products and service. If a solution to your problem does not yet exist, we’ll work to find one. Our experienced team excels at finding innovative solutions for your toughest problems.
Beyond our products, we use business as a force for good to support our vision to make a safer world. We do this by volunteering locally in our communities and working with non-profit organizations that provide safety and stability for people around the world. We believe that by working together, we can expand our reach and create more opportunities to enhance the quality of life for others.
Madison, WI – Dairyland Electrical Industries is pleased to announce a new line of product accessories — Direct Bury Enclosures ENCL-DB-SSD/OVP2 and ENCL-DB-PCR/PCRX.
After a recent uptick in customer requests for decoupling products that can be buried underground, Dairyland is thrilled to announce a rugged solution with this new ENCL-DB accessory line.
There are times when it may be beneficial to install a Dairyland decoupler entirely underground. Reasons may include deterring theft or vandalism, minimizing lead distance to buried isolated joints, or simply, not wanting any visible components above ground.
The Dairyland ENCL-DB series of enclosures allows for the direct burial of selected Dairyland products. These consist of a fully sealed enclosure to house the decoupler, with cables exiting the enclosure through a sealed interface. The cables are supplied with unfinished ends, giving the operator the flexibility to cut to length and/or to accommodate a variety of connection types in the field.
“In recent years, one of our most common customer requests has been for a way to bury decouplers underground so they are out of sight and out of the way … for example, on plowed farmland, in areas prone to theft and vandalism, or in populated areas where aesthetics are critical. It’s exciting to now be able to offer the ENCL-DB accessory line as a robust solution that ensures decouplers are protected from water ingress and loading from soil and surface traffic.”
– Jay Warner, Dairyland Senior Business Development Leader
Both models ENCL-DB-SSD/OVP2, designed to house Dairyland SSDs and OVP2s, and ENCL-DB-PCR/PCRX, designed to house Dairyland PCR and PCRXs, are available now.
About Dairyland Electrical Industries
Over a range of industries and applications, Dairyland has been applying the concepts of isolation, grounding, and over-voltage protection to standard and custom products since 1983. Dairyland deals with a wide variety of applications across multiple industries including oil and gas, power utility, railroad, and others where it is necessary to provide simultaneous isolation and safety grounding. Dairyland products isolate DC current, ground AC fault current and lightning, and protect equipment and personnel.
Offering the first solid-state solutions to each of these markets, Dairyland remains the leader in the industry, with popular products such as the PCRX, PCR, SSD, OVP and OVP2 as well as a full line of accessories to make installation quick and easy.
Designed to protect track-connected signaling and crossing warning systems from damaging AC faults
Madison, WI — Dairyland is pleased to announce the launch of its new Overwatch™ HEFPD product line designed to serve the railroad industry with rugged, engineered AC fault protection.
Railroad systems are increasingly required to operate in common corridors with power transmission and distribution lines, presenting new equipment protection challenges. Damaging AC faults caused by failure of power utility equipment on overhead power lines present high-energy, long-duration events that typical lightning surge protective devices are not capable of withstanding. These events pose a risk to track-connected signaling and crossing warning systems as well as other protective equipment.
To address these concerns, Dairyland is pleased to introduce Overwatch HEFPD, a new class of product in the railroad industry. Designed using Dairyland’s decades of experience in high-energy applications, Overwatch HEFPD uses proven solid-state technology that can withstand the powerful, long-duration events caused by AC faults to keep your sensitive track-connected equipment protected.
Benefits of Overwatch HEFPD
- Provides protection from both high-energy AC faults and lightning surges
- Designed and tested to meet AREMA standard 11.3.7, as well as the applicable requirements of primary surge protection as defined in AREMA 11.3.1
- Built to withstand multiple AC fault or lightning surge events without failure
- Dairyland’s proven solid-state design prevents sparks and arcing
- Extensive third-party testing/verification
“Simply put, Dairyland knows AC fault and over-voltage protection. This has been our business for 40 years. We’ve had a similar product serving the rail industry for years, but the Overwatch HEFPD is specifically designed and tested to meet the demanding guidelines identified in AREMA’s new manual part to address high-energy faults. Today, we welcome the opportunity to serve railroad clients and consultants with this robust solution.”
– Mike Tachick, Dairyland President
About Dairyland Electrical Industries
Over a range of industries and applications, Dairyland has been applying the concepts of isolation, grounding, and over-voltage protection to standard and custom products since 1983. Dairyland deals with a wide variety of applications across multiple industries including oil and gas, power utility, railroad, and others where it is necessary to provide simultaneous isolation and safety grounding. Dairyland products isolate DC current, ground AC fault current and lightning, and protect equipment and personnel.
Introduction
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published Part 2 of the Pipeline Mega Rules on August 24, 2022, with the new laws taking effect on May 24, 2023 (Reference Docket Number PHMSA-2011-0023). The following sections give some history behind the PIPES Act that generated the Mega Rule, and a high-level summary of the major portions of the latest rule installment, known as Part 2. Also included in this article is a summary of the new valve installation rules that went into effect earlier in 2022.
Rule updates such as these can be challenging as each operator applies them to their system. Dairyland wants to assure you that we are here to help you make decisions on how our solutions can be applied to meet these important safety updates. Our technical support staff is ready to support you in a variety of ways, and always offer free personal consultations to help customers decide how to apply Dairyland solutions to your system. This article aims to articulate ways we can help you with rugged and reliable products you have come to expect from us over the last 40 years.
Pipeline Integrity History
The United States Pipeline and Hazardous Materials & Safety Administration has had a transmission pipeline integrity emphasis for over 20 years, with the first major installment of pipeline-focused rules known as the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act introduced in 2002. The Pipeline Safety Act focuses on Federal Codes Part 192 and Part 195, reinforcing a risk management approach to the safety of natural gas transmission pipelines, natural gas distribution pipelines, and hazardous liquid transmission pipelines. This first wave of code updates was promulgated by a catastrophic pipeline failure in Bellingham, Washington in June 1999.
After a series of other significant pipelines failures in the late 2000’s, most notably the San Bruno, CA pipeline incident in 2010, PHMSA published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) in August 2011, which was signed into law as the Pipeline Safety Act in January 2012. Additionally, a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) was published in April 2016, with rules collectively known as the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act, and was signed into law in June of 2016. An additional PIPES Act was also signed into law in December of 2020. The outcomes of the PIPES Acts of 2016 and 2020 was a planned separation of the proposed updates into three separate Rules, also known as Mega Rules.
Mega Rule – Part 1 – Issued October 2019
The major focus of this rule was for the reconfirmation of a pipeline’s maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) of previously untested natural gas transmission pipelines and pipelines lacking certain material or operational records. In addition, it required periodic assessments of pipelines not in High Consequence Areas (HCA’s), as well as other related provisions.
Mega Rule – Part 3 – Issued November 2021
Additional rules were created to ensure the integrity of onshore gas gathering pipelines that have large diameters and high operating pressures. An estimated 425,000 miles of onshore gas gathering pipelines are now being reported on and managed through the integrity management of transmission pipelines.
Mega Rule – Part 2 – Issued August 2022
The final rule of the PIPES Act was published on August 24, 2022, with the bulk of the requirements taking effect on May 24, 2023. This culmination of the PIPES Act generated the following statement from PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown “The 2010 PG&E incident in San Bruno was a tragedy that we must never forget. This rule will help prevent future incidents by ensuring operators identify and repair threats more quickly and comprehensively, improving safety and mitigating climate impacts.”
This major rule update took over six years to come to fruition after many discussions with a diverse group of stakeholders including federal and state commissions, pipeline operators, citizen groups, and industry trade groups. This most recent update under the Mega Rule is focused on onshore natural gas transmission pipelines and has the following main components:
Management of Change
PHMSA determined that the existing Management of Change (MOC) requirements and industry practices were not sufficient and made changes to align the requirements with that of the existing MOC standards in the ASME/ANSI B31.8S standard titled “Managing System Integrity of Gas Pipelines.” Specifically, as outlined in the standard section 11, the MOC process must address technical, design, physical, environmental, procedural, operational, maintenance, and organizational changes to the pipeline or processes, whether permanent or temporary.
Corrosion Control
Installation of Pipe in the Ditch and Coating Surveys
PHMSA has identified that construction practices, including the installation of pipe into the ditch, can result in damaged coating that can compromise corrosion control. The rule now requires that operators perform coating assessments to identify any damage promptly after pipe backfilling and to remediate any damage found. In addition, language has been added to require that pipe coatings have sufficient strength to resist damage during installation and backfill operations. The code specifies that any installation, repair, or replacement of natural gas pipelines greater than 1,000 feet in length will need a coating survey to be performed within six months after putting the pipeline into service. These surveys include both ACVG and DCVG, and any indications that are classified as severe, according to NACE SP0502, must be remediated appropriately.
Interference Surveys
Specific requirements to monitor and mitigate detrimental AC & DC interference currents have been added to subpart I of Part 192. Interference surveys are now required when periodic monitoring indicates an increase in stray current, or new stray current sources are introduced. Sources of stray current can include co-located pipelines, structures, or high voltage alternating current (HVAC) or DC power lines, including from additional generation, a voltage up-rating, additional lines, new or enlarged power substations, or new pipelines or other structures. Additionally, a remedial action plan is to be developed if the interference current is greater than or equal to 100 amps per meter squared. Identified remedial actions are to be completed within 15 months after completing the interference survey where the deficiency was identified and operators must apply for any necessary permits within six months of completing the interference survey. The rule gives allowance to complete remedial actions within six months of obtaining the necessary permits.
External Corrosion
The annual monitoring of pipeline cathodic protection (CP) levels will now include additional requirements related to specific actions and timing of remediation when deficiencies are noted. When a deficiency is identified, it is now a requirement for a close-interval-survey (CIS) to be completed when systemic causes are identified. The CIS needs to be completed both upstream and downstream of the “down” reading (i.e. not at or above required levels) and it needs to be completed with the current sources interrupted in order to obtain an accurate polarized potential of the pipeline. In addition, an interrupted CIS is to be completed after remedial actions are undertaken to ensure the pipeline potential readings are acceptable.
Remediation of any confirmed CP deficiencies are to be completed promptly, but no later than the earliest of the following: prior to the next required inspection or test interval; within one year, not to exceed 15 months of the inspection or test that identified the deficiency; or as soon as practicable, not to exceed six months, after obtaining any necessary permits.
Internal Corrosion
Onshore gas transmission operators that are known to transport gas with corrosive constituents are now required to evaluate the effectiveness their internal corrosion monitoring and mitigation systems at least once per calendar year, not to exceed 15 months. In addition, these same onshore gas transmission operators are to review their internal corrosion monitoring and mitigation program annually, not to exceed 15 months, and adjust as necessary to mitigate the harmful constituents.
Inspections Following Extreme Weather Events
Extreme weather has been a contributing factor in several pipeline failures, predominantly from floods, river scour, river channel migration, earth movement and hurricanes. The frequency and severe consequences of these events have raised the importance of inspecting potentially affected pipelines. PHMSA has amended the code to require operators to inspect potentially affected facilities within 72 hours after the event and when the area can be safely accessed. Adverse conditions must be remediated appropriately.
Repair Criteria for HCAs and non-HCAs
PHMSA has updated repair criteria to provide greater assurance that operators will repair anomalies and defects before they grow to a size that causes a leak or a rupture. Also, repair criteria are now consistent between HCA and non-HCA locations, with the latter providing longer timeframes for remediation of conditions that are not categorized as “immediate.” This allows operators to prioritize anomalous conditions in HCAs where consequences of a pipeline failure may be greater.
Valve Spacing Rule – Issued April 2022
This rule applies updated valve spacing requirements and minimum rupture detection standards based on NTSB recommendations to PHMSA after the 2010 pipeline incidents in San Bruno, CA and Marshall, MI. The rule applies to newly constructed and “entirely replaced” onshore gas transmission, Type A gas gathering and hazardous liquid pipelines with diameters of six inches or greater.
The rule made updates to both CFR 192 and 195, and can be summarized as follows:
- “Entirely Replaced” is a new definition for both gas and liquids pipelines where two or more miles of pipe, in aggregate, are replaced within any contiguous five-mile segment, within any 24-month period.
- “Rupture-Mitigation Valve” (RMV) is a new definition for an automatic shut-off valve (ASV) or a remote control valve (RCV) that a pipeline operator uses to minimize the volume of gas released from the pipeline and to mitigate the consequences of a rupture.
- The rule creates new minimum valve spacing and defines other locations where valve installation will be required (such as class location changes) and defines timelines for the installation of the RMV.
- The rule also addresses:
- Establishes Safety Performance Standards for the identification of ruptures, pipeline segment isolation, and other mitigative actions
- Responding to an identified rupture by closing RMVs no more than 30 minutes after rupture identification.
- Performing post-event reviews of any incidents/accidents or other failure events involving the closure of RMVs
- Performing maintenance on RMVs
- Remediation measures for repair or replacement of inoperable RMVs, including an RMV that cannot maintain shut-off
- Update emergency plans to reflect new 9-1-1 notification requirements for covered pipelines.
Ways for Dairyland to Help
Our values-driven culture and commitment to continual improvement means Dairyland is positioned to deliver the exceptional product quality and service that our customers around the world have come to expect. This allows us to offer a variety of solutions to help you meet the PHMSA Mega Rule requirements:
Accurate Close Interval Surveys
Conducting Close Interval Surveys (CIS) is a typical assessment method for most operators and has been in place for many years. An interrupted CIS aims to obtain a potential measurement taken with all cathodic protection (CP) current sources synchronously interrupted momentarily. The purpose of such a measurement is to evaluate the effectiveness of the CP system by determining the polarized potential of the pipeline (i.e. instant off potential). However, definitively proving that a cathodic protection system is providing the degree of corrosion protection required can often be a time-consuming and error prone endeavor. Accurate potential values in the field can be elusive, with several factors affecting these measurements. Dairyland Electrical Industries has provided pipeline decoupling products for almost forty years and has recently introduced a new decoupler called the PCRX which addresses one of the primary issues in most typical applications.
The PCRX provides typical decoupler functions with the additional benefit of electronically camouflaging itself from interrupted surveys, including close interval surveys (CIS), preventing the device from contributing to errors in potential readings. Field testing has shown that interrupted surveys can sometimes be impacted by combinations of factors such as pipeline coatings, soil resistivity, and the capacitance of traditional decouplers resulting in excessively electro-negative instant-off values. In most cases the PCRX completely solves this problem. The PCRX camouflages itself to overcome capacitive effects ensuring accurate and timely potential measurements. It does this without sacrificing the rugged over-voltage, AC mitigation, CP isolation, and safety grounding of Dairyland’s standard decoupling products.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PCRX
Interference Mitigation
When a pipeline shares a right of way with high-voltage power lines, the electromagnetic field on the power lines can induce unwanted voltage onto the pipeline. This steady-state AC voltage is a safety hazard for personnel and can contribute to corrosion problems. In order to mitigate this voltage, an effective grounding path is required that will continue to isolate DC voltage for cathodic protection.Dairyland decouplers such as the SSD, PCR and PCRX, provide an effective grounding path that mitigates induced AC, while simultaneously maintaining DC isolation. This is possible due to the nature of a Dairyland decoupler which provides a low resistance to AC and high resistance to DC simultaneously. As a result, CP systems will continue to work efficiently, and the pipeline and personnel will be safe from unwanted AC interference.
RMV Installation Best Practices
Dairyland has a long history of providing recommended best practices for maintaining electrical isolation of Rupture-Mitigation Valves (RMV) more commonly known as automatic shut-off valves (ASV) or remote-control valves (RCV). The Dairyland application that this applies to is known as “Decoupling Electrical Equipment.” The referenced application guide gives guidance on how to maintain effective grounding paths for safety, while also maintaining DC isolation so that your CP system can effectively protect against corrosion.
Product Availability
Dairyland recognizes the importance of timely remediation of issues found and the solutions that are required to keep the public, pipeline workers and pipelines safe. We are committed to providing accurate and timely product quotes and deliveries in order to keep pipelines safely operating. Our rugged products are built for extreme environments around the world and are built to last. Dairyland Electrical Industries is the world’s leading manufacturer of solid-state decoupling products used to isolate cathodically protected structures from grounding systems or other equipment, while simultaneously providing safety grounding for AC fault current and lightning.
At Dairyland, it’s not just about selling great products. We pride ourselves on being a reliable resource for complete technical guidance on applications relating to isolation, grounding, over-voltage protection and related issues. We’ll make sure your questions are thoroughly researched, that you understand the answers, and that you know how to proceed…even if you don’t end up needing our products.
Feel free to reach out to us to ask questions or consult on your needs – we are here to help!
Madison, WI – Dairyland Electrical Industries is pleased to formally announce a major update to our newest product line.
After thousands of hours of research, development, and field testing, the PCRX represents a major advancement in decoupler technology. Using sophisticated design techniques that represent the work of numerous leading experts around the world, the PCRX’s active capacitance compensation renders it completely invisible to close interval survey testing. This is a major technological advancement that provides a direct benefit to customers experiencing inaccurate CIS readings due to capacitance from decouplers installed on their pipeline and avoids the need to alter testing procedures or disconnect decouplers to take readings.
“We are excited that the PCRX is now fully certified to meet international hazardous location standards, making it available for our customers everywhere.”
– Jay Warner, International Business Development
Expanding on our US certifications, the PCRX has now been tested and certified by National Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs) to the latest ATEX and IECEx related standards for explosive atmospheres (hazardous locations).
Dairyland has always been known for their reliable products. As a part of their commitment, third party certifications are a critical component of new product development validating the product’s performance and providing confidence to their customers. Dairyland maintains an extensive list of internationally accepted third-party product certifications where electrical or other safety codes apply. Maintaining certifications is expensive and time-consuming.
“As with all Dairyland decoupler products, our third party certification can give you confidence and peace of mind when installing the PCRX in your application”
– Randy Hilgart, Engineering Manager
The PCRX features a full range of product ratings and capabilities, along with UL certification to applicable standards.
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About Dairyland Electrical Industries
Over a range of industries and applications, Dairyland has applied the concepts of isolation, grounding, and over-voltage protection to standard and custom products since 1983. Dairyland deals with a wide variety of applications including AC voltage mitigation, insulated joint protection, gradient control mats and other applications where it is necessary to isolate cathodically protected structures from other equipment or grounding systems. Dairyland products isolate DC current, ground AC fault current and lightning, and protect equipment and personnel.
Offering the first solid-state solutions to each of these markets, Dairyland remains the leader in the industry, with popular products such as the PCR, SSD, OVP and OVP2 as well as a full line of accessories to make installation quick and easy.