Presently electricity utilities make use of a number of inspection tools to survey their transmission lines and electrical distribution equipment. Mobile robot capable of crossing obstacles is developed on overhead ground wires. A teleoperated robot with cameras realizes inspection and maintenance tasks on power transmission line. This paper examines the possibility of remote detection of defective devices on power transmission lines. Infrared, visible and ultraviolet cameras are the latest visual diagnostic tools available to utilities to identify potential failures on electrical equipment. Infrared cameras are used to collect images related to temperature differences that arise on components such as compression splices and insulators. The clever analysis of thermograms will then reveal possible defects. Corona effects and arcing are symptomatic of certain types of defects on insulators, line spacers, and conductors, etc. These possible defects can be detected by the ultraviolet. As new imaging technologies were developed, line inspectors began employing infrared and ultraviolet imaging to locate hot spots and electrical discharges. This paper highlights the design and development a inspection robot with cameras which combine ultraviolet, infrared and visual imaging techniques for advanced diagnostic inspections. A novel inspection robot was designed to inspect the 500KV power transmission lines. Results of experiments demonstrate that the robot can be applied to execute the navigation and inspection tasks.

Date Published: 24 November 2009
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 7513, 2009 International Conference on Optical Instruments and Technology: Optoelectronic Imaging and Process Technology, 75130E (24 November 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.837984

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7513:
2009 International Conference on Optical Instruments and Technology: Optoelectronic Imaging and Process Technology
Toru Yoshizawa; Ping Wei; Jesse Zheng, Editor(s)