Development of a Novel Live-Line Inspection Robot System for Post Insulators at 220-kV Substations

Based on investigating existing on-line detection methods for energized ceramic post insulators, this paper proposes a new live-line work robot involving ultrasonic detection for flaws in porcelain post insulators at 220-kV high-voltage (HV) substations. Owing to the HV, strong electromagnetic field and space conditions, the robot would be a special one. Thus, on the basis of studying correlative technologies — mechanism design, visual alignment and location, HV insulation, electromagnetic compatibility, automatic control, and wireless communication — each part of the robot system is designed and analyzed. The experiment and trial operation results show that the designed robot can work normally in 220-kV substations, and cracks in porcelain post insulators can be detected effectively, safely and conveniently by the robot.

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