CONTENTS

Foreword iii
Preface
Chapter 1- Design Parameters for Transmission Lines
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Mechanical Design
1.2.1 Wind Speed
1.2.2 Maximum Temperature of Current Carrying Conductor
1.2.3 Span
1.2.4 Tower Steel Sections 3
1.2.5 Stresses in Bolts 3
1.2.6 Ground Clearance 3
1.2.7 Quality of Zinc 4
1.2.8 Weight of Zinc Coating 4
1.2.9 Minimum Zinc Coating 4
1.2.10 Sag Template 4

1.3 Electncal Design 5

1.3.1 Electrical Clearances 5
1.3.2 Air Clearances 5
1.3.3 Minimum Ground Clearance 5
1.3.4 Minimum Clearance above Rivers/Lakes 6
1.3.5 Air Clearance and Swing Angles 6
1.3.6 Clearance between Conductor & Groundwire "At Tower" 7
1.3.7 Clearances at Power Line Crossings 8
1.3.8.1 Power Lines Crossing each other 8
1.3.8.2 Power Lines Crossing Communication Lines 8
1.3.9 Power Line Crossing Railway Tracks 9
1.3.10 Power Lines running along or across the Roads 9
1.3.11 Clearances to Ground and Buildings as per IE Rules 1956
(latest edition) 9
1.3.12 Insulators / Insulation 10
1.3.13 Right of Way Requirement 11
1.3.14 PTCC 12
x

1.4 Conductor 12
1.5 Earth Wire 14

Annexure A Typical sag template drawing-Dog ACSR conductor 16

Typical sag template drawing-Panther ACSR conductor 17
Typical sag template drawing-Zebra ACSR conductor 18
Typical sag template drawing-Moose ACSR conductor 19

Chapter 2- Inspection and Maintenance Formats of Transmission Lines

2.1 Introduction 20
Inspection from Ground 20
2.3 Inspection after Climbing the Tower 20
2.4 Schedule of Inspection and Maintenance Activities 21
2.5 Fault Inspection of Line 21
2.6 Inspection / Check Report for Major Maintenance Work 21
Fomlat-I - Ground Patrolling Report 22
FOn11at-II - Tower Climbing Patrolling Report for Critical Lines/ Critical
Stretches (Non Outage) 23
FOn11at-Ill - Live Line Puncture Insulator Detection 24
Fonnat-IV - Maintenance Schedules of Transmission Lines 25
Fonnat-V - Line Declared Faulty Inspection Report 27
FOn11at-VI - Inspection Report for Major Maintenance/ Breakdown Works 28
Fomlat-VIl - IR Value and other Details ofInsulators Under Shutdown 29
Fonnat-VIII - Measurement of Contact Resistance of Joints
(After Replacement of Conductor/ Joints) 30

Chapter 3 - Probable Causes of Failure of the Transmission Line Components

3.1 Introduction 31
3.2 Probable Causes of Damage of Insulators and Hardware Fittings 31
3.3 Probable Causes of Failure of Conductor and Conductor Accessories 33
3.4 Adverse Affects of Vibration 34
3.5 Probable Causes for Damage of Earthwire and its Accessories 34
3.6 Probahle Causes for Failure of Towers 35
3.7 Probable Causes for Rusting 37
3.8 Probable Cause of Failure of Tower Foundation 37
 Xl

3.9 Causes of Erosion at the Base of Foundation / Tmver Legs 38

3.1 0 Probable Causes of Damage of Earthing Electrode and Earthing Strip, etc. 38

Annexure 1 Effect of Vibrations on Perfomlance of Components of

Transmission Line 39

Chapter 4 - Condition Monitoring of EHV Transmission Lines

4.1 Introduction 40
4.2 Philosophy of Condition Monitoring 40
4.2.2 Advantages 40

4.3 Condition Monitoring of Transmission Line 41

4.3.2.1 Corrosion Measurement of steel (stub / anchor bolts) in
foundation Resistance Measurements Method 41
4.3.2.2 Tower Footing Resistance Measurement 41
4.3.2.3 Conductor Corrosion Detection 42
4.3.2.4 Conact Resistance Measurement of Conductor Joints 43
4.3.2.5 Checking of Clearances of Conductor 43
4.3.2.6 Condition Monitoring of Insulator 44
4.3.2.7 Coronography of Transmission Line 48
4.3.2.8 Line Signature Analyzer (LSA) Unit 49
4.3.2.9 Thermovision Scanning of the Lllle 50
4.3.2.10 Monitoring of Spacers/Spacer Dampers/Hardware Fittings 50
4.3.2.11 Advanced Condition MOl1ltoring Teclmiques 51

Chapter 5 - Maintenance Procedures of EHV Transmission Lines

5.1 Introduction 53
5.2 Methodology 53
5.2.1 Locating the Fault 53
5.2.2 Patrolling and Scheduling 54
5.3 General Safety Precautions 54
5.3.1 Purpose 54
5.3.2 Scope 55
5.3.3 Definitions 55
5.3.4 Dangers 55
5.3.5 General Precautions to be taken before Climbing or Working on
Transmission Towers or working on Conductors 56
xii

5.4 Attending to Tower Collapse 57

5.5 Attending 10 Stuh R~pair 58
5.5.1 PI\)('cdnre 58
5.5.2 T,~,;)i:, required for Rectification of Stubs 62
5.5.3 ;"/!:nerial required for R"'c:tJtlcatioll of Chimney 63
5.5.4 'lower Material Generallv re4uired for Rectification of Stubs
5.5.4.1 STlTB:.: ~els 63
5.5.5 Additional Detail,:
5.6 Insulator R cplacemc111 63
5.6.1 Bundle Conductor (Twin / Quad) Transmission Line 63
5.6.2 Bundle Conductor crwm) TransmiSSIOn Line 68
5.6.2. Replacement of Suspension Insulator (1- String) 68

5.6.3 Replacement of Tension Insulator - Procedure 1 (Fig. 9) 74

5,6.4 220 KY Tension Insulator Disc Replacement 78
5.6.5 66 KV & 132 KV Tension Insulator Disc Replacement 78

5.7 Catching Off / HoIoll1g Twin/Quad Conductors at Suspension Tower 81

5.8 Raising and Lowering Twin/Quad Conductor and Insulators
to the Ground 85
5.9 Repairing ofT\vin Conductor at Ground of400 KV Line. - Tension Tower 87
5.10 Procedure for repall'lng of Conductor at Ground of 400 KV Line.
- Suspension TowCT 89
5.11 Jointing Procedure 90
5.12 Repair of Twin/Quad Conductor ill situ with Mid Span
Compression Joint 93
5.13 Repair of TwiniQuad Conductor ill situ with Repair Sleeve 94
5.14 Temporary repair of Twin/Quad Conductor in situ with Mid Span /
Dead End Compression Joints 95
5.15 Repair of Failed Jumpers 95
5.16 Repair of Failed Earth Wire 96
5.17 Replacement of Nuts and Bolts 103
5.18 Replacement IRepair of Spacer ISpacer Dampers 103
5.] 9 Anti-Corrosive Measures 106
5.20 Preventive Maintenance of Tower Foundation 107
5.21 Earthing Maintenance of Transmission Lines 107
 l(lll

5.22 Tree Cutting/fnJ1ll11ing 108

Chapter 6 - Hot Line Main!enance

6.1 Introduction 110
6.2 History ~Jl1d Ik,dopment of Hot Line Maintenance Tools 110
6.3 Trainin.c! 111
6.4 Methods oj' riot Line Maintenance 111
6.5 Hot Line ()perations 112
6.6 Safety 112
6.6.1 Safety Rules 112
6.6.2 Safe Electncal Clearance 113
6.6.3 Effect of Leakage Current flow in Body 113

6.7 Ropes and Hot Line Knots 113

6.7.1 Types of Ropes 113
6.7.2 Care of Ropes 115
6.7.3 Knots 115

6.8 Safe Practices for Live Line Barehand Mallltenance 115

6.9 Hot Stick Method 116
6.9.1 Design Considerations 116
6.9.2 Advantages of Epoxy Glass Stick 116
6.9.3 Type of Epoxy Tools and its Loading Capacities 117
6.9.4 Metallic Tools 117
6.9.5 Care of Tools 118
6.9.6 Maintenance of Tools 118
6.9.7 Replacing Femlies on Epoxiglass Poles 119
6.9.8 Protecting Tools during Transportation 120
6.9.9 Inspection of Tools 120
6.9.10 Repainng Broken Metal Members 120
6.9.11 Using LImitations 120
6.9.12 Caution 120

6.10 Live Line Barehand Maintenance 121

6.10.1 Principle of Live Line Barehand Work 121
6.10.2 History of Live Line Barehand Work 121
XIV

6.10.3 Equipment 122

6.11 Bondmg procedure 123

6.12 Important Tools 124
6.13 Procedure 126
6.13.1 Preliminary Works to be taken up before Starting the
Hot Line Work 126
6.13.2 Terminology used in the Procedure for Hot Line Maintenance 126

6.14 Hot Line Tools 127

6.15 Procedure for Hot Line Maintenance Work upto 220 KV) - Hot Stick
Method 127
6.15.1 Suspension Insulator String 127
6.15.2 Tensiop Insulator String 128
6.15.3 Precautions 129

6.16 Procedure for the Hot Line Maintenance work in 220 KV Double
Circuit Suspension Tower (Middle Phase) using Trolley pole by
Hot Stick Method 129
6.17 Procedure for Hot Line Maintenance work (66KV/132KV) 133
6.18 Procedure for Hot Line Maintenance Work - Bare Hand Technique 134
6.18.1 400 KV Single Circuit Suspension Tower (Middle Phase) 134
6.18.2 400 KV Single Circuit Tension Tower (Middle Phase) Using
the Method of Controlling of Ladder from Ground 141
6.18.3 400 KV Single circuit Suspension Tower (Outer phase) using
Trolley Pole method 150

6.19 Procedure For Hot Line Maintenance Work in 400 KV Single Circuit
Suspension Tower (Middle Phase) using Trolley Pole Method 159
6.20 Tightening of nut bolts/ Replacement of spares/ jumper 164
6.21 Replacement of Spacers/Tightening of Nut BoltslReplacing Jumper in
Substation - Line up to 400 KV 165

Annexure A - Typical List of Hotline Tools Required for Maintenance of Line

Upto 220 KV by Hotstick Method 167
Annexure B - Typical List of Hotline Tools Required for Maintenance of 400
KV line 169

Chapter 7 - Insulator Washing/Cleaning

7.1 Introduction 172
 xv

7.2 Type of Contaminants 172

7.3 Pollution Management/Methods of Cleaning 173
7.3.1 Pollution Management 173
7.3.2 Methods of Insulator Pollution Cleaning 174

7.3.2.1.2 Washing with Medium Pressure Water 185

7.3.2.1.3 Washing with low Pressure Water 185
7.3.2.1.4 Compressed Air - Dry Cleaning 186
7.3.2.1.5 Hot Wiping (Hot Cleaning) 188
7.3.2.2 Cleaning under De-Energized Conditions 189
7.3.2.2.1 Hand Cleaning 189

7.3.2.3 Cleaning of Polymer Insulators 189

7.4 Safety Procedures 189

7.4.1 Technical Considerations for Energized Cleaning with Water 189
7.4.2 Resistivity Measurement and Monitoring 191
7.4.3 Water Pressure 191
7.4.4. Nozzle Orifice 191
7.4.5 Safety 192

7.5 Frequency and Results of Cleaning 192

7.5.1 Frequency 192
7.5.2 Results 192

7.6 General Guidelines 193

7.6.2 Training 194
7.6.3 Equipment 194
7.6.4 Public 194
7.6.5 Limitations 195
7.7 Practical Experience in Hot Line Washing in India 195
7.7.1 Insulator Washing Methods by other Utility 195
(A) Live Line Washing 195
(B) Cold Line Washing 199
7.8 Other Pollution Cleaning Methods 200
7.8.1 Cleaning of Coated (Greased) Insulator 200
XVI

7.8.2 Silicone Protective Coatings 200

7.8.3 Silicone RTV Coatings 201

Chapter 8 - Emergency Restoration of Damaged Transmission Lines

8.1 Introduction 203
8.2 Advantages of ERS 203
8.3 Components ofERS 204
8.4 Deployment of ERS System 205
8.4.1 Route Alignment 205
8.4.2 Computerized Calculations 205
8.4.3 Erecting Structure 206

8.4.3.1 Gin Pole Method 206

8.4.3.2 By Light Duty Crane 206
8.4.3.3 Winch Line Method 206
8.4.3.4 Helicopter Method 206

8.4.4 Anchoring System 207

8.4.4.1 Cross Plate Anchor 207
8.4.4.2 Screw/Marsh Anchor 207
8.4.4.3 Dead Weight Anchor 207

8.4.5 Stringing and clipping of conductor 207

8.4.6 General Precautions 207
8.4.7 Safety Aspects 207
8.5 Training 208

About the Authors 209