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Powerline Inspection

Drone inspections of transmission lines revealed various issues needing repair or replacement, such as cracked poles, insulator flashovers, and corroded hardware. After reviewing inspection reports and photos from three vendors, the utility selected the drone inspection option as the most cost-effective approach. The drone inspection provided high-resolution photos and identified nearly 13,000 issues across 453 poles and 47 miles of transmission lines. This led the utility to replace 17 miles of static wire and schedule future inspections every 5 to 7 years.

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140 views49 pages

Powerline Inspection

Drone inspections of transmission lines revealed various issues needing repair or replacement, such as cracked poles, insulator flashovers, and corroded hardware. After reviewing inspection reports and photos from three vendors, the utility selected the drone inspection option as the most cost-effective approach. The drone inspection provided high-resolution photos and identified nearly 13,000 issues across 453 poles and 47 miles of transmission lines. This led the utility to replace 17 miles of static wire and schedule future inspections every 5 to 7 years.

Uploaded by

anon_816185975
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Revolutionizing 

Inspections
TRANSMISSION LINE DRONE INSPECTIONS

Jamison Parker, E.I.
Electrical Engineer 11/9/2017
Jacksonville Beach
BES transmission and service area (Google Earth)
Service Territory
Galvanic Corrosion
Decisions
• Observation of adjacent spans revealed similar findings
• Decision made to have both 138kV lines inspected
• RFP prepared by engineering & procurement
• Required full inspection of all phases & shield wire of all poles
• Including all mounting hardware
• Required post analysis and report of findings with recommendations

• Received three quotes
• Performed cost analysis and selected vendor
Cost Analysis
Vendor #1 (drone) Price # Poles $/Pole # Miles $/Mile
804 Line $        26,500.00 130 $         203.85 16.6 $      1,599.03
805E Line $        24,750.00 129 $         191.86 16.4 $      1,504.98
803 / 805W Lines $        18,750.00 100 $         187.50 8.1 $      2,301.57
800 / 801 / 802 Lines $        17,850.00 94 $         189.89 5.8 $      3,070.18
TOTAL $        87,850.00 453 $         193.93 47.0 $      1,870.00
(1) 17‐mile line; 5 days, 100% Inspection

Vendor #2 (aerial) Price # Poles $/Pole # Miles $/Mile


All Lines $        99,900.00 453 $         220.53 47.0 $      2,125.53

Vendor #3 (ground‐based line crew) Price # Poles $/Pole # Miles $/Mile


804 Line $        42,500.00 130 $         326.92 16.6 $      2,564.49
TOTAL ‐ Extrapolated for All Lines $     153,000.00 453 $         337.75 47.0 $      3,255.32
(1) 17‐mile line; 5 WEEKS; only truck‐acessible poles
Outreach
• Who
• Businesses
• Residences (via HOA rep)
• Residences (direct)
• Local PD / SO
• FAA (inadvertently)

• What/Where/Why/How
• Explained project
• Ensured privacy

• When
• Schedule & timing

• Utility POC
Safety Brief & Kick‐off
• Interdivisional collaboration
• OPS, C&M, ENG, Vendor team

• Provided overview of project
• ID’d working sections per day
• ID’d nearest emergency facilities
• ID’d contact info for all involved
• Utility C&M linemen escort
In action
In action
In action
Cracked Pole Top
Insulator Flashover
Cracked Pole Top
Insulator Flashover
Got Bells?
Broken Jumper
Washers? Bolt Size?
Clogged Weep Hole
Chipped Insulator
Broken Jumper
Cracked Lug
Cracked Lug
Insulator Flashover
Insulator Flashover
Corrosion (all 805E)
Corrosion (all 805E)
More Corrosion
High Res ID
Insulator Flashover
Hardware ID
Cracked Pole Top
Cracked Pole Top
Cracked Pole Top
Broken Jumper
High‐Res Hardware ID
140’ ICW H‐frames
140’ ICW H‐frames
Possible Cracks
Possible Cracks
Possible Cracks
Possible Cracks
High‐Res Hardware ID
No Boundaries
Daily Reports
• Arrival time
• Departure time
• Weather conditions
• # of structures completed
• “Standby time” (due to weather)
• Work summary to include specific structure numbers
• Immediate areas of concern and recommended actions
Final Report
• Each structure itemized
• Each phase and wire itemized
• Grading of all hardware and equipment per structure
• Hyperlinks to respective pictures showing damage/issues
• Comments of damage/issues
• Excel‐based
• Provided an excellent high‐level summary of inspection
• ~13,000 24/30MP photos per inspection
• ~100 high res photos per structure
In‐house Summary
After Action Reqs
• Replaced 17 miles of static on 805E line
• Included all associated hardware
• Six‐week project
• Contracted out to Helo High‐line crew
• Plans to perform NDT testing
• Steel H‐frames at ICW
• H‐frame footings at ICW
• Plans to replace damaged insulators
• Plans to inspect remaining lines
• Develop a periodic inspection schedule
• ~ 5 to 7 years per line
Questions

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