State Grid Dingxi Tackles Grid Hazards for Stable Power Supply

As summer heat strains power grids globally, a pioneering operation in Northwest China has showcased a cutting-edge solution to keep the lights on. Facing critical overheating defects on a major transmission artery, State Grid Dingxi Power Supply Company deployed high-voltage live-wire fix techniques, eliminating the need for disruptive blackouts and simultaneously boosting winter resilience.

China strives to secure power supply amid heatwaves

During routine infrared inspections, technicians identified dangerous heating in clamps on the crucial 330 kV Lin-Gong Line 1 and Lin-Gong Line 2. These lines form a backbone for regional power supply. Traditional repairs would have required shutting down the lines, risking unreliable power during peak summer demand – an unacceptable outcome. State Grid Dingxi swiftly mobilized its specialized live-line working team, opting for the technically demanding equipotential live-working method to rectify the faults without interrupting service.

Executing the High-Voltage Ballet

On the designated day, seasoned technicians, encased in specialized shielding suits, approached the live 330 kV conductor using an insulated “Little Flyer” electric lifting device. As they neared the energized line, a sharp “sizzle” signaled the moment of potential transfer – the worker safely achieving equipotential status with the conductor. Close inspection revealed oxidation at a current-dividing plate junction, increasing resistance and causing dangerous heat buildup. The team expertly bypassed the plate, meticulously polished the contact surfaces, applied conductive paste, and re-tightened bolts. This precise live-wire fix successfully lowered resistance and eradicated the overheating defect directly on the energized line.

Dual Benefits: Summer Safety Meets Winter Preparedness

Leveraging the unique access provided by the live-working operation, technicians went beyond the immediate repair. Immediately after securing the clamp, they installed the innovative “Ice-Watching Elf” intelligent monitoring device onto the same conductor. This self-powered unit harvests energy from the line current itself. It provides real-time image transmission and precise ice thickness monitoring, crucial for combating the severe winter ice accretion risks prevalent in the region. This strategic move transformed a single maintenance operation into a dual-purpose mission.

The successful Dingxi live-wire fix prevented significant planned outages during critical peak demand, directly enhancing grid reliability and demonstrating the vital role of advanced live-line techniques. By integrating the “Ice-Watching Elf” installation, State Grid Dingxi has proactively bolstered defenses against future seasonal hazards, embodying the principle that uninterrupted, safe power is the ultimate service. This operation sets a powerful precedent for maintaining critical infrastructure resilience year-round.

Must Know

Q: What is a “live-wire fix” in power grid maintenance?
A: A live-wire fix refers to specialized techniques, like equipotential live-working, used to repair or maintain high-voltage power lines while they remain energized. This avoids the need for disruptive power outages, ensuring continuous electricity supply to consumers, which is especially critical during peak demand periods like summer.

Q: Why was the equipotential method chosen for the Dingxi repair?
A: The Lin-Gong lines are vital regional infrastructure. Taking them offline for traditional repairs would have compromised grid stability during peak summer usage. Equipotential live-working was the only solution guaranteeing uninterrupted power while safely addressing the dangerous overheating clamps identified via infrared inspection.

Q: What does the “Ice-Watching Elf” device do?
A: The “Ice-Watching Elf” is an intelligent monitoring device installed directly on power lines. It harnesses energy from the line current to operate. Its primary function is real-time monitoring of ice accumulation (thickness) during winter, providing critical early warnings to prevent ice-related damage and outages, significantly enhancing winter grid resilience.

Q: What are the main benefits of combining repairs with device installation?
A: Combining the clamp live-wire fix with installing the “Ice-Watching Elf” maximized operational efficiency (“two tasks in one operation”). It eliminated the need for a separate, potentially hazardous, future live-line visit just for the monitor, saving resources and time while immediately boosting the line’s year-round operational intelligence and safety.