Ameren Illinois Enhances Customer Reliability with New Smart Devices

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (September 25, 2025) - Ameren Illinois is taking another step forward in its modernization of the electric grid in Vermilion County with the installation of cutting-edge 69kV Viper®-HV reclosers, also known as a smart switches.

The new smart switches (69kV Viper®-HV reclosers) detect problems on the electric system and help determine whether power should be re-routed from another source. The reclosers work in tandem with other outage detection devices to isolate outages and reduce the length of service disruptions while reducing the number of customers who experience an outage.

Ameren partnered with G&W Electric, headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, to develop the Viper®-HV recloser, a purpose-built device rated for 69kV. The first installation of the Viper®-HV recloser took place in Fithian. Key features include:

• Encapsulated vacuum interrupters for high-voltage fault isolation
• Integrated protection and control relays
• SCADA compatibility for remote diagnostics and operation
• Modular pole-top design for streamlined installation and maintenance

Ameren currently has 12 units installed across its service territory. Nine more units will be added in Illinois in 2025 as part of its broader strategy to improve overall reliability by:

• Isolating faults on power line segments while keeping adjacent segments energized
• Automatically transferring customers away from faulted segments
• Replacing auto-sectionalizing schemes that use open air break switches, particularly in areas prone to winter ice storms, to minimize customer impact during 69kV system malfunctions

"This is an industry-first solution designed to enhance customer reliability and a solution we hope to use to re-route power on additional sub-transmission lines across our broader service territory," said Patrick Smith, Senior Vice President of Operations and Technical Services for Ameren Illinois. "We are also proud to say this recloser was developed in collaboration with Illinois-based manufacturer G&W Electric to support local jobs and economic growth in central Illinois."

About Ameren Illinois

Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers throughout central and southern Illinois. Our service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles and our mission is to power the quality of life. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com. Follow us at @AmerenIllinois or Facebook.com/AmerenIllinois.