Actual operation of overhead power line structures at stages of the life cycle

Introduction. The object of the study is the structures of overhead power lines (OPL), including their foundations; the subject is the actual performance of these structures (APS) at the various stages of the OPL life cycle (LC) (construction, operation and reconstruction), as a linear structure, which determines the practical significance of this paper. The aim is determined by the need to ensure the required regulatory reliability of OPL operation. The objectives of the study are to investigate the factors affecting the actual performance of OPL at the various stages of their life cycle.

Materials and methods. The actual operation of overhead line structures, as a set of real deviations of the characteristics of the elements from the standard values, is defined in the form of specific factors. The factor of emergency damage to structures, including the collapse of poles, is also included in the actual operation of structures. After repair or reconstruction, such as the replacement of damaged and collapsed poles or the replacement of old wires with new innovative wires, the operation continues as part of the life cycle.

Results. This is a real example of the successful reconstruction of a 220 kV overhead line, where the wires were replaced with new innovative wires with a gap, which allow the current-carrying part to move relative to the supporting core under high-temperature deformations. This reconstruction is possible due to the increased strength and reduced diameter of the new wire with a compact cross-section. This allowed the new innovative wires and lightning rods to be hung on old poles with reinforced foundations, significantly reducing the cost of the overhead line reconstruction.

Conclusions. This approach allowed the use of old poles for suspending new wires and a lightning protection cable. As a result, the capacity of the 220 kV overhead line increased by 60 % or more. The life cycle is represented by a new graphical model, the “life curve”, which shows the change in the failure rate ω over time τ. The curve consists of three main stages: break-in, normal operation, and wear. This graph is proposed to describe the process of subsequent reconstruction as the fourth main stage, with an extended time axis as part of the new life cycle of the overhead line.

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