Development of new technology to access the energized phase by walking along the strain string on 500 kV transmission lines and substations

The maintenance of 500 kV transmission lines and substations requires a great amount of manual services on its insulator strain strings, conductors and hardware. The conventional method of gaining access to the hot end of strings uses a long insulated ladder (longer than 6 m), numerous accessories, which involves great effort and the work of many electricians. This paper looks into a method developed by ELETRONORTE to access the energized parts of transmission lines and substations by walking directly on the insulator strain string without having to use an insulated ladder. The results of the experiment show that this method can meet safety standards. This method was further experimented on suspension strings. However, the outcome of such an experiment led us not to recommend its use.