Article

MAYURI GRACE, ASIET; Krishnapriya Vinod ,ASIET; Sanju B ,ASIET

We all know that electricity is a part of our day today life and its demand has increased considerably due to the rise in the population. In order to supply power to the consumers, it has to be transmitted with minimum amount of losses such that the power system provides better efficiency. For this purpose, generation, transmission and distribution must be efficiently carried out considering all the factors in order to reduce losses and increase the power outcome. Transmission line (TL) plays an important role in transmitting electrical power. This paper deals with the maintenance of overhead (OH) TL by using a robot, which monitors the TL and detects any fault if present, so that electricity is transmitted with minimum amount of losses. Maintenance and detection of any kind of faults in the TL is a difficult task we face then and now because of risky factor while dealing with high voltages. Usually inspectors carry line inspection by aviation method which includes an observer who observes the TL by a helicopter driven by a pilot which is indeed a costly one and the video images provided from the helicopter is out of focus. Hence in order to achieve the same a robot is used which travels on the TL with the help of rollers on it. The robot inspects the TL and transfers the data regarding the line faults directly to the control room. In this method, the robot is equipped with a voltage and current sensor for the measurement of voltage and current, a RF module for communication purposes and a visual camera to capture images to be sent to the control room. This method is so advantageous in reducing cost, increasing efficiency and enhancing safety.