What is Live-Line Washing?
Live-line washing, also known as live-line maintenance or live-line working, is a technique used in the maintenance of high-voltage power lines. It involves cleaning and, in some cases, applying protective coatings to the insulators and other components of the power lines. The process is done while the electricity is still ON and the lines are energized and in operation.
Live-line cleaning is done to ensure the reliability and safety of the power transmission system without the need to power down or de-energize the lines, which would result in a loss of power to customers. This approach is applied where maintaining an uninterrupted power supply is necessary for sensitive applications such as security and military applications, computer servers, security cameras, etc.
Good to Know:
Why Do We Need Live Line Cleaning?
Here are some reasons and advantages of why live line-maintenance is necessary:
- Prevention of Pollution Flashovers: Insulators can accumulate dirt, dust, pollution, and other contaminants over time. These circumstances can lead to flashovers (unintended electrical discharges). Live line cleaning removes these contaminants, reducing the risk of flashovers and improving the reliability of the electrical system.
- Maintenance of Insulator Performance: Contaminants on insulators can reduce their electrical resistance, which can compromise their ability to insulate the conductors properly. Cleaning the insulators helps maintain their performance and prolong their lifespan.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Performing maintenance on live lines eliminates the need to de-energize the electrical system, which can be costly and disruptive. Live line working allows maintenance work to be carried out efficiently without interrupting power supply to customers.
- Safety: Live line maintenance is performed by trained professionals using specialized equipment and procedures to ensure safety. It allows maintenance work to be done without the need for workers to come into direct contact with energized components, reducing the risk of electrical accidents.
- Compliance with Regulatory Requirements: Some regulatory authorities require utilities to perform regular maintenance, including insulator washing, to ensure the reliability and safety of electrical power system. Live line insulators washing helps utilities comply with these requirements.
Methods of Live-Line Washing
Live line-washing is a specialized and potentially dangerous operation that requires skilled personnel and specialized equipment. The following different approaches are used to wash the power lines while electricity is still ON.
- Helicopter washing: Using a helicopter equipped with washing equipment to access and clean the power lines from the air.
- Bucket truck washing: Using specialized trucks with extendable buckets to reach the power lines and wash them.
- Water spraying: Directly spraying water or a cleaning solution onto the power lines using hoses or nozzles.
- Robotic systems: Using automatic and smart robotic arms or devices to clean the power lines without direct human intervention.
- Chemical cleaning: Applying specialized chemicals to the power lines to remove contaminants or dirt.
- Manual cleaning: Involves workers physically climbing the power lines using safety equipment to clean them.
FAQ
Why do we need live line washing?
Insulators on high-voltage lines are washed to remove the accumulation of dirt, dust, or other materials that could reduce their efficiency. Dirt and dust could cause damage to insulators and make them more prone to electric shocks
How do they clean power lines?
The helicopter is flown adjacent to the insulator string and positioned by the pilot to enable the line worker to direct a high-pressure stream of water onto and under each insulator. The swirling motion created by the water flow removes pollutants such as dust and dirt, salt, and bird droppings
What is live-line working in an electrical circuit?
Live-line working, also known as hotline maintenance, is the maintenance of electrical equipment, often operating at high voltage, while the equipment is energised
What is hot line washing?
Hot Line Washing is basically a procedure where insulators on electrical lines are cleaned with water while the electricity is energized (on). If the insulators are not cleaned, a flashover may occur causing brownouts, blackouts and damaged equipment
Why do we need pressure washing?
Pressure washing removes dirt, mold, and mildew
Pressure washing uses high-pressure streams of water to blast away any buildup on the outside of the house. This cleaning method is more thorough than other methods, as it can reach all the nooks and crannies of your home
What is the principle of live-line working?
Once on the line, the worker is safe from shock as both the lineworker and the wire are at the same electric potential, and hence no current passes through their body. This is the same principle as that which allows birds to safely sit on power lines
Can you touch power lines without dying?
Overhead power lines are never safe to touch – and they are just as dangerous on the ground. If you touch one of these wires with your hand or with an object you are holding, you will provide an instant path for electricity causing serious injuries or worse
