AUTO-LOOP IMPROVEMENT

The Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) has dev eloped a computer program that predicts the reliability of auto-loops and optimizes loop design. This paper describes the application of thi s program to auto-loops in an urban area, the calculation of loop-spec ific failure data using a Bayesian data update process and the develop ment of strategies for enhancing loop reliability. Reliabilities predi cted using loop-specific data are compared to those obtained using gen eric data. The paper also demonstrates two alternative means of enhanc ing auto-loop reliability: adding protective devices to a loop and rea ligning its main run.