Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC, PUNE-16

(An Autonomous Institute of Government of Maharashtra)

Department of Electrical Engineering

Government Polytechnic, Pune.

Seminar report on

“Repair and Maintenance of Hotline”

Submitted By

SIDDHESHWAR DNYANESHWAR DEORE

Enrollment No: 1722214
Under the Guidance of
Mrs. M. A. CHIGTERI
Department of Electrical Engineering

Government Polytechnic, Pune.

Pune-411016

Government Polytechnic, Pune

Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC, PUNE-16

(An Autonomous Institute of Government of Maharashtra)

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that
SIDDHESHWAR DNYANESHWAR DEORE
Enrollment No: 1722214
Studying in the Fifth semester of diploma in Electrical Engineering
Has successfully completed the seminar report on

“Repair and Maintenance of Hotline”

Mrs. M.A. Chigteri Mrs. M. A. Chigteri Dr. V. S. Bandal

(Seminar Guide) (Head of Department) (Principal)

Government Polytechnic, Pune

Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This is to acknowledge and thanks all the individuals who played a defining role in
shaping this seminar report. Without their constant support, guidance and assistance
this seminar report would not have been completed.

I would personally like to thank my guide Mrs. M. A. Chigteriand Electrical

Department (GPP) who with such underlying interest reviewed and enclosed this
seminar report.

I would be finding in my duty if I did not make noteworthy mention of the

respected panel of the members on the seminar Committee. Their constant
encouragement and motivation gave me an opportunity to study this topic. Last but
not the least I would like to thank our Principal who created a healthy environment
for all of us to learn in best possible way.

-Siddheshwar Dnyaneshwar Deore

-1722214

Government Polytechnic, Pune

Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

ABSTRACT
In the field of Electrical Engineering, the transmission and distribution line play an
important role for transmission of electricity one place to another place.Generally we
have to see that during transmission of electricity, some faults occur in it. Initial these
faults are minor but after it creates major problems. To solve these problems
effectively by the new techniques and approaches of live wire maintenance of
transmission line. Live-line working is the maintenance of electrical equipment, often
operating at high voltage, while the equipment is energised. Electricity utilities wish
to avoid loss of supply, for which they receive customer complaints or are financially
penalised. At the same time,they are obligated to maintain and replace their electrical
equipment on a regular basis. Due to the hazard of high voltage, it is normally
necessary for equipment to be isolated from the supply before being worked upon,
termed a planned outage.
The first techniques for live-line working were developed in the early
years of the 20th century, and both equipment and work methods were later refined to
deal with increasingly higher voltages. In the 1960s, methods were developed in the
laboratory to enable field workers to come into direct contact with high voltage lines.
Such methods can be applied to enable safe work at the highest transmission
voltages.

Government Polytechnic, Pune

Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

INDEX

SR.NO. CONTENTS PAGE NO.

1 INTRODUCTION 1

2 HISTORY 2

TOOLS FOR HOTLINE

3 4
MAINTENANCE

4 METHODS 6

5 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS 13

LIVE LINE MAINTENANCE IN

6 14
INDIA & USA

7 RISKS & WORKER SAFETY 15

8 APPLICATIONS 17

9 ADVANTAGES 18

10 CONCLUSION 19

11 REFERENCE 21

Government Polytechnic, Pune

Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

INTRODUCTION
In electrical engineering, hotline maintenance, also known as live line maintenance,
is the maintenance of electrical equipment, often operating at high voltage, while the
equipment is energised. Though this is more hazardous for a person than offline
maintenance of electrical equipment, live-line maintenance techniques are used in
the electric power distribution industry to avoid the disruptionof to turn off power
and to perform essential periodic maintenance on transmission lines and other
equipment.
Line maintenance includes maintenance activities using the hot stick or the
bare hand technique. Live-line maintenance is a procedural activity and does not
include such activities as switching, climbing inspection, conductor stringing, etc.
Maintenance activities performed on energized conductors or equipment with
a phase-to-phase voltage exceeding 600 volts by the hotstick technique or 69 KV by
the barehand technique.

Burdening power companies and their systems is a constantly increasing

consumer demand, plus certain areas are fed by radial lines. These factors make
energized maintenance the only viable solution. Yet, working on energized systems
involves risks that require highly specialized tools and techniques.

Three methods of performing live line services mitigate the considerable hazards of
working on energized power lines. They are all intended to prevent current flow from
equipment and through linemen.

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Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

HISTORY

In 916, a tool that was known as an “Electrical hook” was introduced in atlanta. This
was essentially a spring-type clamp for tapping energized circuits.

Live-line tools were first accepted for work on lines up to 34 kV, but many linemen
were hesitant to perform hotstick operations on this voltage. Because of this fear,
many companies restricted live-line maintenance to 22 kV or less. As linemen began
to realize that the use of live-line tools always kept them at a safe distance from
energized lines, they began to lose their fear of performing this work, and restrictions
were gradually relaxed, until by 1930 several companies were permitting live-line
operations to be performed on 66-kV lines. This soon rose to 110 kV, and in the late
1930’s, the astonishing news was circulated that a west coast line of 220 kV had been
successfully worked “hot.” Another milepost was passed in March of 1948, when
suspension insulators were changed on a 287-kV Hoover Dam-Los Angeles line,
using tools especially designed for the job.

In 1959, live-line tools with fiberglass poles were introduced. The

fiberglass consists of layers of resin coated glass fibers wound around and laid
lengthwise over a plastic foam core, formed into a single unit by curing in an oven
maintained at a constant temperature. It is highly resistant to moisture absorption and

Government Polytechnic, Pune

Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

damage. The introduction of fiberglass live-line tools materially advanced electric

utilities to the present day live-line maintenance of 345-kV, 500-kV, and 765-kV
transmission lines. Western has performed both hot stick and bare hand methods of
live-line maintenance since its inception in 1970 Bare hand Technique.

Government Polytechnic, Pune

Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

TOOLS FOR HOTLINE MAINTENANCE

1. SWITCHING STICK:
Switching sticks are used in hotline maintenance by having worker remain at a
specified from the part and carry out the work.

2. HAND GLOVS:
The hand gloves is used in hotline maintenance to provide a good insulation
between lineman hand and conductor.

3. SAFETY HELMET:
It is used to prevent from an accident.

4. FARADAYS SUIT:
It is most important for live maintenance with faradays suit resistance of
human body would be very high and practically no current flow through body.

5. OTHER:
Insulated ladder shoe mats support etc.

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Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

Tool for maintenance

Government Polytechnic, Pune

Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

METHODS
In general, there are three methods of hot line maintenance.
1. Hot stick method
2. Bare hand method
3. Helicopter method
1. Hot stick method:
A hot stick is an insulatedpole, usually made of fiberglass, used by
electricutility. Workers when engaged on live line working on energized
high-voltage electric power line, to protect them from electric shock
depending on the tool attached to the end of the hot stick, it is possible to
test for voltage, tighten nuts and bolts,apply tie wires, open and closed
switches, replace fuses, lay insulating sleeves on wire, and perform various
other tasks, while not exposing the crew to a large risk of electric shock.

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Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

Hot-stick working appeared in the second decade of the twentieth century,

when insulating poles made from baked wood were used for taskssuch
asreplacing fuses,swapping out post insulators, and transferring lines onto
temporary supports. The sticks enabled the linemen to carry out the work
without infringing minimum clearance distancesfrom live equipment. As
experience with the techniques developed, and then the operating voltages
at which the work was performed increased. With the advent of fiberglass
poles in the late 1950s, which neithersplit norsoaked up rainwater, utilities
were prepared to carry out hot-stick working to their highest operating
voltages, perhaps 765 kV.

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Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

Safe working distance for hot line operations as per standards

2. Bare hand method:

The first procedures for barehand working were developed in 1960 by a high-
voltage engineer. Techniques were refined in the laboratory and during
fieldwork.

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Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

During barehanded, energized work, a lineman is in direct contact with an energized

line. Prior to contact with the live lines, the worker’s body is raised to the
same voltage as the live parts. Because the lineman and live lines are at the same
voltage, no current flows through the worker.

Upon completion of the tasks, the process is reversed to allow the

worker to safely disengage from the power line. Barehand work allows for greater
dexterity than the hot stick method and can provide the preferred option under certain
conditions. With this technique, lines can be spliced or insulator strings, conductor
spacers and vibration dampers can be replaced without loss of supply.

There are a number of ways in which the worker can access the live parts:

 The worker can stand on an insulating ladder which is maneuvered to

the line
 by means of non-conductive rope. The worker is lowered from a
helicopter and transfers himself to the line.
 The worker is brought alongside the wire in a hovering helicopter and
works from that position.

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Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

Hot-hand workers are usually required to wear a Faraday suit. This is a set of overalls
made from or woven throughout with conducting fibers. The suit is in effect a
wearable Faraday cage, which equalizes the potential over the body, and ensures
there is no through-tissue current. Conducting gloves, even conducting socks, are also
necessary, leaving only the face uncovered.
There is little practical upper voltage limit for hot-hand working, and it
has been successfully performed at some of the highest transmission operating
voltages in the world, such as the Russian 1150 kV system.

3. Helicopter method:
A lineman wearing a Faraday suit can work on live, high-power lines by being
transported to the lines in a helicopter. The worker can perform maintenance sitting
on an outrigger platform attached to the helicopter while the aircraft hovers next to
the line. When approaching the line a long wand is touched to the line to equalize the
potential of the aircraft to that of the line, then a breakaway bonding wire connected
to the helicopter's frame is attached to the line during work. Alternatively the worker
can transfer to the wires from the helicopter and crawl down the wires, then be picked
up by the helicopter after the work is completed.

Government Polytechnic, Pune

Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

Government Polytechnic, Pune

Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

GENERAL PRECATIONS
Calculation of minimum approach distances take account of switching surges and
other transients. Transmission systems are often fitted with coordinated protection
devices called autoreclosers, which are circuit breakers that automatically attempt to
remake a circuit after a fault. In the event that a fault did occur it would be most
undesirable for the autorecloser to re-energized the circuit because the limits of
approach would be greatly reduced and the workers' position could be compromised.
Hence, auto-reclosing equipment is rendered inoperative while live working takes
place. Additional protection against unplanned overvoltage events can be provided by
means of a surge diverter known as portable protective air gap.
An electric arc is extremely bright, including in the ultraviolet, and
can cause arc eye, a painful and potentially blinding condition. Workers may be
provided with appropriately tinted goggles that protect their vision in the event of a
flash, and provide defence against debris ejected by an arc.
Government regulations may regulate conditions for live working
conditions. For example, in United States, the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration may require that more than one worker be present on site when
working on live equipment above a specified voltage. The work may be postponed if
adverse weather conditions such as lightning or rainfall are anticipated.

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Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

Live Line Maintenance In USA

In USA the energy demand is very high and supply company can`t interrupt
major lines from grid and hence all the maintenance of EHV line up to 765KV
is carried out by helicopter method.

Live Line Maintenance In INDIA

In India the line working training centre is at Banglore gives training up to
400KV by bare hand method and up to 220KV by hot stick method.
In India only bare hand and hot stick method are implemented and
helicopter method is not exist.

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Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

Risks
Live Work Risk:
while electrical flashover due to insulating tools failure is a risk in live
working, Mechanical failure of tools and equipment ultimately lead to
electrical flashover, both of which cause damage to equipment injury to staff.

Health Risk:
A) Short Term Problem:
1. Headaches
2. Rashes
3. muscles Pain
4. Burning Skin
B) Long Term Problem:
1. Damaging DNA
2. Cancer
3. Leukemia
4. Miscarriage

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Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

WORKER SAFETY
Line workers specially those who deal with live electrical apparatus, use personal
protective equipment (PPE) as protection against inadvertent contact. This includes
rubber gloves, rubber sleeves, bucket liners and protective blankets.
When working with energized power lines, linemen must use protection to eliminate
any contact with the energized line. The requirements for PPEs and associated
permissible voltage depends on applicable regulations in jurisdiction as well as
company policy. Voltages higher than those that can be worked using gloves are
worked with special sticks known as hot-line tools or hot sticks, with which power
lines can be safely handled from a distance. Linemen must also wear special rubber
insulating gear when working with live wires to protect against any accidental contact
with the wire. The buckets linemen sometimes work from are also insulated
with fiberglass.

De-energized power lines can be hazardous as they can still be energized from
another source such as interconnection or interaction with another circuit even when
they appear shut off. For example: A higher-voltage distribution level circuit may
feed several lower-voltage distribution circuits through transformers. If the higher

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Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

voltage circuit is de-energized, but if lower-voltage circuits connected remain

energized, the higher voltage circuit will remain energized. Another problem can
arise when de-energized wires become energized
through electrostatic or electromagnetic induction from energized wires in close
proximity.
All live line work PPE must be kept clean from contaminants and regularly tested for
di-electric integrity. This is done by the use of high voltage electrical testing
equipment.
Other general items of PPE such as helmets are usually replaced at regular intervals.

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Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

APPLICATIONS
The live line maintenance included varieties of work like.
1. Replacing crossarm
2. Replacing insulator
3. Replacing pole
4. Tapping hot line
5. Splicing conductors

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Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

ADVANTAGES
1. Maintenance can be carried out without disconnecting the
supply line.
2. Hence ensuring continuity of supply.
3. Protect the system from unbalancing.
4. Reduce transmission losses.

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Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

CONCLUSION
A. Economic Benefits:
Circuit availability has a positive impact on a utility’s balance sheet, because the
availability index is an integral part of the remuneration formula applicable to
transmission companies. In the event a network’s availability is above the fixed
value, the utility receives a bonus over and above the standard remuneration. Live-
line working is one of the maintenance activities where innovation and improvements
are continually developed. This often leads to the creation of applied research
projects, and the cost of this research and development can attract tax relief,
depending on the prevailing national policies.

B.Social Benefits:

A key external social benefit of using live-line working techniques for routine
maintenance and construction work is that energy is supplied without interruption.
This effectively increases system availability, reducing planned outages and thereby
satisfying society’s demand for improved service quality

Another externalsocial benefit affectsthe use of helicopters for public services.

Transmission circuits are often routed overroads and reservoirs, the same locations
commonly used by helicoptersfor public service responsibilities.The transmission
lines are highly visible and serve as beacons in adequate numbers, size and colour,
which are installed using live-line working procedures.

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Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

C. Environmental Benefits:

The reduction of losses by an increased availability leads to savings in generation and

lower emissions of polluting gases in the atmosphere. Also, live-line working
procedures and methods are specially designed to address environmental issues, such
as the installation of bird flight diverters and the replacement of insulators, spacers
and other accessories that generate noise.

Government Polytechnic, Pune

Repair and Maintenance of Hotline

REFERENCE

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
 https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live-line_working
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lineworker
 www.emfs.info.
 https://www.slideshare.net/GAURAVKUMAR1289/live-line-maintenance
 https://www.google.com/searchlive+line+maintenance+tools.
 https://www.google.com/searchfaraday+suit+lineman.
 https://www.power-grid.com/2013/11/14/live-line-services-techniques/#gref

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