Development of Advanced Insulator Inspection Robot for 345kV Suspension Insulator Strings

Abstract

Abstract—In our previous paper, we developed the prototype of an insulator inspection robot system for suspension insulator strings in 345kV power transmission lines. However, the prototype robot has some problems. To solve such problems, we newly developed an advanced version of our robot system. This robot’s frames were made of a flexible carbon composite instead of a rigid aluminum material, which makes its installation process easier. In addition, the robot measures the distribution voltage of an insulator together with its insulation resistance, thereby providing more information for its analysis and diagnosis. We confirmed its effectiveness through experiments. method since 2000. However, its field tests showed that this method had the following problems: first, this method cannot detect a faulty insulator that is placed at the end of an insulator string, and secondly, its tool contacts more than two insulators at once, which is undesirable from the viewpoint of insulation. And finally, using a manual tool may give inaccurate results when a human worker has unstable posture in 345kV lines where workers should be more than 3.5 meters away from the closest power line to secure their safety.