Abstract

The paper describes the various means that HydroQuebec uses to continuously or intermittently monitor the effects of various environmental factors on its overhead lines. First a review is done of the real time remote monitoring of ice accretion which includes a network of measurement stations covering the most critical part of the transmission system. Next come the climatic load telemonitoring stations (ice and wind) which are directly integrated into the lines and which are found in fewer numbers at even more critical points along the transmission system. The paper continues with a description of an original measuring device developed by Hydro-Quebec for the monitoring of aeolian vibrations in conductors and overhead ground wires. This is followed by a section on a system that measures leakage current on the surface of insulators to determine the extent of the contamination of overhead lines and substations. The monitoring of lightning using special sensors, active lightning rods and remote-controlled video cameras is covered in the next section. The paper concludes with a description of the ultrasonic wave testing technique used for detecting fatigue cracks at the base of tower guy anchoring bars.

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