State Grid Ma'anshan Power Supply Company employees carry out inspection work. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn].
On Nov 22, the transmission inspection team from State Grid Ma'anshan Power Supply Company, together with the live work team, conducted insulator flaw detection on 110kV West and 513 lines in the Zhengpu Port section of the Shanghai-Wuhan Expressway, which serves as a major transportation artery in the province. During the autumn inspection period, the company carried out a comprehensive "physical examination" of the six "three-span" lines under its jurisdiction to ensure the safe and reliable operation of key lines in Ma'anshan and the surrounding counties during the winter peak season.
"The personnel have arrived at their designated positions, the X-ray device has been positioned for inspection, image acquisition has commenced, and the crimping status of the A-phase clamp is confirmed normal. As acquisition progresses, it was discovered that the crimping joint of the B-phase clamp exhibits damage, requiring attention" said Wang Bo, the person in charge of the operation. Three professionals utilized an insulated bucket truck to access the midsection of the tower, ascended to the line side, and deployed an X-ray detector for internal flaw inspection of the 110kV line equipment. Real-time images revealing the internal structural damage to the B-phase clamp of pole 87 were clearly displayed on the computer screens of personnel on the ground.
"Today, we need to use X-ray to inspect six points on the transmission line for defect elimination, with each point requiring at least 30 minutes of defect elimination work. The X-ray flaw detector we use is similar to a doctor conducting a 'CT' scan, allowing us to detect internal fractures in the line. This method is much more efficient and safer than traditional manual operations," said Wang Bo. X-ray flaw detection technology utilizes the varying intensity attenuation of X-rays as they penetrate different parts of the tested object, providing a comprehensive non-destructive method for detecting defects. It is commonly used to identify hidden dangers in transmission line clamps. The State Grid Ma'anshan Power Supply Company conducted advance simulation drills, developed operation manuals, and plans to integrate drone technology into X-ray flaw detection operations in the future. This will completely eliminate the personal risks associated with long-duration, high-intensity, and high-altitude operations, as well as the impact of power outages, significantly enhancing on-site operational efficiency and the user experience of accessing electricity.
"This time, due to the 110kV West and 513 lines being erected on the same pole as the 10kV line, detecting defects in the 110kV line across the 10kV line proved challenging. We utilized an insulated bucket truck to assist personnel in ascending the pole, which not only ensured the reliability of power supply in the southern area of Zhengpu Port but also safeguarded the personal safety of the construction workers," said Wang Binbin, head of the Power Transmission and Transformation Inspection Center at the State Grid Ma'anshan Power Supply Company. Up to now, the State Grid Ma'anshan Power Supply Company has comprehensively grasped the status of six "three-span" lines within the jurisdiction of Hexian county, completed three defect elimination tasks, and conducted 21 drone patrols.
To ensure the safe and stable operation of power grid equipment during winter and prepare for the winter power consumption peak, the State Grid Ma'anshan Power Supply Company will continue to make meticulous arrangements and overall progress, carefully formulate the autumn inspection plan, seize the "golden period" of maintenance, and fully eliminate equipment hazards to prepare for the winter peak.
