PPN - live conductor operations on 400 kv, 220 kv and 110 kv overhead transmission

and distribution lines in ENERGA-OPERATOR S.A., Toruń Branch 95

PPN - LIVE CONDUCTOR OPERATIONS ON 400 KV, 220 KV AND 110 KV OVERHEAD
TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION LINES IN ENERGA-OPERATOR S.A.
TORUŃ BRANCH
Ryszard Michniewski / ENERGA-OPERATOR S.A. Toruń Branch

The history of live-working techniques (PPN) on high and extra high voltage overhead lines in ENERGA-
OPERATOR S.A. Toruń Branch dates back to 1933 when the first operations applying the PPN technology took
place in Pomorska Elektrownia Krajowa Gródek (previously ENERGA-OPERATOR S.A., Toruń Branch ) on the 60
kV line Gródek – Gdynia. Revival of PPN operations on overhead transmission lines took place in 1990 on 400 kV
lines using equipment and technologies purchased in the former German Democratic Republic.
1992 marked the beginning of performing PPN operations on straight line poles and straight and trans-
position line poles for 220 kV based on technologies developed in Zakład Energetyczny in Toruń in cooperation
with the Occupational Work Safety Section at the Institute of Power Engineering in Gliwice In 2008, ENERGA-
OPERATOR S.A., Toruń Branch developed and implemented a technology for replacing insulators and insulator
assemblies on anchor poles and anchor and angle poles.

Table 2 shows Line

Number of operations on lines: operations Year Total
400 kV 220 kV
400 kV 220 kV in particular years. 1990 2 - 2
Poles Poles Total number 1991 5 - 5
of operations 1992 7 2 9
Anchor Straight Straight and Anchor
and angle transposition and angle 1993 2 35 37
poles line poles poles poles 1994 2 94 96
245 624 260 24 1153 1995 6 20 26
1996 5 16 21
Table 1 shows the number of PPN technology 1997 26 1 27
operations on 400kV and 220kV lines in the period 1998 4 3 7
1990 to the end of 2008. 1999 1 2 3
2000 1 9 10
2001 8 1 9
2002 1 3 4
2003 1 9 10
2004 174 2 176
2005 199 1 200
2006 194 20 214
2007 128 34 162
2008 103 32 135
Razem 869 284 1153

Abstract
The paper presents the short history of hotline applying PPN technology performed on 400 kV, 220 kV
operations (PPN) on 400 kV, 220 kV overhead transmis- and 110 kV lines provided grounds for conclusions regar-
sion lines and 110 kV lines from the first PPN operations ding the reduction of line power loss, i.e. the positive eco-
performed by ENERGA-OPERATOR S.A. Toruń Branch to nomic and environmental impact of the PPN technology.
the end of 2008. The volume of work performed on the
lines is shown and the kinds of operations. The paper
describes the methodology and technologies applied du-
ring the operations. Pictures are included showing ope-
rations on 400 kV, 220 kV, 110 kV and the design of the
derrick for transporting the fitter to the 400 kV hotlines
and the insulator string to the pole lines. The operations
 Ryszard Michniewski / ENERGA-OPERATOR S.A. Toruń Branch
96

1 2
Photo. 1. PPN operations on 400 kV –
single circuit line pole, suspension type

Photo. 2. PPN operations on 400 kV –

suspension type ŁPV-400 – work on
platform

3 4 Photo. 3. PPN on 400 kV line

400 – fitter reaching hot line

Photo. 4. PPN on 400 kV line

suspension type ŁO2 –
mounting the cradle for
the insulator string

5 6 Photo. 5. PPN on 400 kV line,

suspension type ŁO2-400 –
disconnecting the insulator
string

Phot. 6. PPN on 400 kV,

suspension type ŁO2 –
hoisting the insulator string

Phot. 7. PPN on 400 kV line, suspension type ŁO2-400 – hoisting the insulator assem-
bly
 PPN - live conductor operations on 400 kv, 220 kv and 110 kv overhead transmission
and distribution lines in ENERGA-OPERATOR S.A., Toruń Branch 97

PPN operations on 400kV lines are performed against a written request with a statement from all mem-
bers of the team of their physical and psychic fitness to perform the job. The work is performed by a team of
nine members: three fitters work on the pole cross-arm, one on the hotline with the rest at the pole mount, the
foreman supervises the performance procedure. Work on a 220kV line is performed by a team of eight with allo-
cation of duties similar as in the case of a 400 kV line except for the fact that two fitters work on the cross-arm.
The live working technique on 400 kV anchor poles according to the German technology was both la-
bour consuming and dangerous (fitters refused to apply this technology). In 2006, ENERGA-OPERATOR S.A.
Toruń Branch developed a new technology for PPN operations on 400 kV anchor poles and anchor and angle
poles. According to the new technology, transport of fitters to the hotline and transport of the insulator string
is performed with the use of a two element insulation derrick linked by a pulley block with the insulation ropes.
The derrick boom is made of two parts (can also be a three part structure) of relevant mechanical and electric
strength. The boom is topped by a special metal head, supported on conductor lines, used to hoist the fitter to
the hotline using an insulation ladder and an electric driven winch.

Fig. 1. Derrick transporting fitter to the hotline

Head top on mast
Hoisting tackle

Block

Mounting grip
for top rack bar

Angle
iron handle

Grip with transporting supporter

Derrick Insulation stick connecter on boom Boom connector
mast
Derrick boom Travelling grip on boom

Derrick and insulation

ladder connector

Derrick
mount

Support, cotter pin

Insulation ladder

Hoisting tackle Block

Fig. 2. Derrick transporting replaced insulator string

Insulation stick connecter on boom

Travelling grip on boom

Angle
iron handle

Derrick boom
Derrick Boom connector
mast

Derrick and insulation

ladder connector

derrick
mount

Support, cotter pin

Insulation ladder
 Ryszard Michniewski / ENERGA-OPERATOR S.A. Toruń Branch
98

Block

Insulation stick connecter on boom Boom connector

Derrick boom Travelling grip on boom

Derrick and insulation

ladder connector

800
Support, cotter pin

Insulation ladder

Segment part 1 – diameter 110 Segment part 2 – diameter 110 Segment

part 3
4800 2500

Segment part 3 – dimension in (mm)

3.1. 500
3.2. 800
3.3. 900
3.4. 1100
3.5. 1200

Fig. 3. Derrick – selecting boom length relevant for the line bend angle

An application to the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland was submitted in 2007 for PPN operations
on anchor poles and anchor and angle poles to obtain patent protection for the new technology. It is entered
under the number P 382278.
In 2008, ENERGA-OPERATOR SA Toruń Branch developed and implemented the new technology for the
live working technique on 220 kV anchor poles and anchor and angle pole lines, suspension type ŁO2 and ŁO3.
Development of the technology was quite difficult because most 220 kV lines base on VKLF 75/16 and VKLS
75/21 type long rod insulators, which have a high damage rate. For this reason conductors and insulator strings
cannot be used in hoisting the fitter to the hot line and for fitter’s operations on the hotline from the conductor
side. To enable the replacement of insulator and insulation assemblies, suspension type ŁO2 and ŁO3, (long rod
insulation), the control of tension line must be ensured prior to the operation. Special holders/clamps have
been constructed (made of steel, aluminium or plastic) placed on the strain yoke of insulator string on the side
of the conductor and on the side of the pole structure. Thanks to these clamps for insulation sticks and pull,
the line strain functions are reallocated and allow for the replacement of insulators and assemblies. The fitter
is transported to the hotline with use of an insulated ladder, which is hoisted with an insulation system com-
prising a six meter long and ø 75 mm insulation stick, metal cable head, insulation rollers and angle clamps.
The insulation system is fastened in two points to the lower angle bar of the pole cross-arm. Operations on the
insulator string from the conductor side are performed by the operator on the insulated ladder, connected to the
insulation assembly. The insulation head is supported during the operation by the insulation derrick boom (for
better bracing). An application for patenting this technology is being at present processed by the Polish Patent
Office.
 PPN - live conductor operations on 400 kv, 220 kv and 110 kv overhead transmission
and distribution lines in ENERGA-OPERATOR S.A., Toruń Branch 99

8 9
Phot. 8, 9. PPN operations on 220 kV –
straight line poles

10 11 Phot. 10, 11. PPN operations

on 220 kV - single and double
circuit line suspension type
ŁPO-220 and ŁP2-220

12

Phot. 12. PPN operations on 220 kV - double

circuit line poles, suspension type ŁP2-220
 Ryszard Michniewski / ENERGA-OPERATOR S.A. Toruń Branch
100

Table 3 presents the scope of works on 400kV and 220kV lines applying PPN technology.

No. Year Line Scope of operations

Replacement of 318 VKLF 75/16 on straight line poles and straight line and transposition
1 1993–1995 220 kV line Włocławek Azoty – Pątnów poles
2 2004 Double circuit 400kV line Gdańsk Błonia – Żarnowiec Replacement of 141 slings on straight line poles
Replacement of 74 PS16B insulators on straight line poles and repair of 73 surge arrester
3 2005 400 kV line Grudziądz Węgrowo – Płock bridges
4 2005 400 kV line Krajnik – Dunowo Replacement of 74 PS16B insulators on 57 straight line poles

5 2006 400 kV line Dunowo – Słupsk Replacement of 100 PS16A insulators on straight line poles and 9 PS22A on anchor poles

6 2006 400 kV line Słupsk – Żarnowiec Replacement of 38 PS22A insulators in 35 rows, suspension type ŁO2 and ŁO3
7 2006 220 kV line Dunowo – Żydowo Replacement of 21 PS16B insulators on straight line poles
Replacement of 8 PS22A insulators, suspension type ŁO2 and ŁO3, and replacement of 28
8 2006 400 kV line Krajnik – Dunowo insulators PS16B, suspension type ŁP and ŁPV
9 2007 400 kV line Połaniec – Rzeszów Replacement of 20 insulators, suspension type ŁO2 and ŁO3
Replacement of 121 PS22A insulators, suspension type ŁO2 and ŁO3 and 24 PS16B
10 2007 400 kV line Krajnik – Dunowo insulators, suspension type ŁP and ŁPV
Replacement of 114 insulators LP 75/17 assembly, suspension type ŁPO on straight line
11 2007 220 kV line Olsztyn – Ostrołęka and transposition poles
Replacement of 26 insulators PS16B, suspension types ŁP and ŁPV on straight line poles
12 2008 400 kV line Krajnik – Dunowo and replacement of 86 insulators PS22A, suspension type ŁO2 and ŁO3 on anchor lines, in
total 110 pieces in 103 rows
Replacement of 30 insulators LP 75/17 assembly, suspension type ŁPO, and 48 assemblies
13 2008 220 kV line Olsztyn – Ostrołęka suspension type ŁO2

The first PPN operations on overhead transmission lines took place in 1998 on 110 kV lines. Up to date,
the only company applying PPN technology for this voltage is ENERGA-OPERATOR SA, Toruń Branch .
Operations on overhead 110 kV transmission lines apply two methods.
•  remote method
•  hotline method – developed by ENERGA-OPERATOR SA, Toruń Branch in 2007.
Remote operations on 110 kV straight lines with use of insulations sticks with heads, which hold the ap-
propriate tools (their dimensions cannot exceed 300x300x150 mm), and a pulley block with insulation ropes.
PPN operations on anchor and angle poles are performed with the help of; a two part insulation derrick mounted
on the pole shaft, insulation pull with hooks placed on the conductor, and by the anchor clamp and insulation
sticks holding relevant tools.
PPN operations on 110 kV straight lines are performed by a team of six. Two fitters work on the pole
structure, four on the pole mount, the foreman supervises the performance procedure. PPN operations on an-
chor poles are performed by a team of seven. Three fitters work on the pole structure, four on the pole mount.
The work is performed at a written request for the service supplemented by a statement of the team members
confirming their physical and psychic fitness to perform the operation applying PPN technology.
Table 4 shows the number of operations performed by ENERGA-OPERATOR SA, Toruń Branch on 110 kV lines.

Table 4.

Number of operations on poles Average time required for

Number of PPN Number insulator replacement on poles
Year operations of replaced
Straight poles Straight and Anchor and angle insulators Straight poles Anchor and
transition poles poles angle poles
1998 68 51 17 - 98 50 min -
1999 361 346 15 - 403 53 min -
2000 294 250 44 - 447 1 h 12 min -
2001 22 19 3 - 25 60 min -
2002 250 231 19 - 275 50 min -
2003 87 1 - 86 104 1 h 15 min 1 h 50 min
2004 353 208 - 145 479 44 min 1 h 17 min
2005 835 295 19 521 1401 50 min 1h
2006 931 477 45 409 1291 48 min 59 min
2007 836 349 3 484 1358 48 min 58 min
2008 740 210 12 518 1331 46 min 60 min
Razem 4777 2437 177 2163 7212
 PPN - live conductor operations on 400 kv, 220 kv and 110 kv overhead transmission
and distribution lines in ENERGA-OPERATOR S.A., Toruń Branch 101

13 14 Phot. 13. Replacing an insulator

suspension type ŁP-110 on straight
line pole

Phot. 14. Replacing an insulator su-

spension type ŁPO-110 on straight and
transition pole

15 16 Phot. 15. Replacing an insulator suspension type

ŁPO-110 double circuit hot line

Phot. 16. Replacing an insulator on suspension

type ŁP2-110 on straight and transition pole

17 18
Phot. 17, 18. Replacing an insula-
tor suspension type ŁPO-110

19 20 Phot. 19, 20. Replacing an insula-

tor suspension type ŁO2-110
 Ryszard Michniewski / ENERGA-OPERATOR S.A. Toruń Branch
102

Economic and environmental effects of applying the PPN technology in operational and repair works are
presented in Table 5 (for 220 kV and 400 kV lines), and in Table 6 the effects of application on 110 kV lines.
Table 5
Economic Economic effects
Loss increase
effect of loss Not emitted to the atmosphere
Disconnected transmission resulting from Coal not Hours on hot
reduction
system element disconnecting burnt CO2 SO2 NOx Pył line
(thousand
the line (MWh) (t) (t) (t) (t) (t)
PLN)
Year 2004
984,4 115,2 460 962,7 7,85 2,23 0,5 96
l. 400 kV Gdańsk Błonia – Żarnowiec
Year 2005
7 852 919,7 3 667 7 685 62,6 17,82 4,09 156
l. 400 kV Krajnik – Dunowo
l. 400 kV Grudziądz – Płock 11 606 1 357,9 5 420 11 351 92,6 26,3 6,05 192
Year 2006
1 829 214 854,1 1 789 14,6 4,15 0,95 170
l. 400 kV Dunowo – Słupsk
l. 400 kV Słupsk – Żarnowiec 845 98,8 394,6 826,4 6,74 1,92 0, 44 141
l. 400 kV Krajnik – Dunowo 3 323 388,8 1 552 3 250 26,5 7,54 1,73 65
Year 2007
16 173 2 102,5 7 552,8 15 817 119,4 36,7 8,4 316
l. 400 kV Krajnik – Dunowo
l. 220 kV Olsztyn – Ostrołęka 487, 5 63,4 227,6 476,8 3,9 1,1 0,254 88
Year 2008
248 35,0 115,8 242,5 1,98 0,56 0,13 45
l. 220 kV Olsztyn – Ostrołęka
l. 400 kV Krajnik – Dunowo 14 569 2 040 6 803,7 14 248,5 116,2 33 7,6 285

57 917,0 7 335,3 27 048,0 56 649,0 452,4 131,3 30,144 1 554

Table 6
Specification of adverse effects in the case of replacing insulators applying the 110 kV line 110 kV line
Lp.
traditional method, i.e. disconnecting 110 kV Pątnów –Piotrków Grudziądz –Wąbrzeźno
Total work time on line connected with insulation replacement (hours) – electric
1 528 432
power supply system hazard
Number of 15/0, 4 kV disconnected transformer stations and powered by MV,
2 52 67
crossing 110 kV line
Installed power of transformers 15/0, 4 kV (MVA) powered by 15 kV,
3 2,93 6,7
crossing 110 kV lines
Disconnection time of particular transformer stations 15/0,4 kV for 110 kV line
4 5 5
operations (hours)
Undelivered power resulting from disconnection of 15/0,4 kV (MWh) transformer
5 11,7 14,2
stations
Undelivered electric power resulting from disconnection of LV lines, crossing
6 1,1 1
110/ kV (MWh) lines
Total power undelivered to consumers resulting from disconnection of MV and
7 15,2
LV (MWh) lines 12,8

8 Power system loss due to growing load on neighbouring 110 kV (MWh) lines 266,8 216

Costs related to power emergency services for disconnecting MV, LV, earthing
9 56 000 90 000
lines and admitting the service team for operation (PLN)
 PPN - live conductor operations on 400 kv, 220 kv and 110 kv overhead transmission
and distribution lines in ENERGA-OPERATOR S.A., Toruń Branch 103

PPN operations on 400 kV, 220 kV and 110 kV overhead transmission lines mean:
•  operation of electric power supply systems without hazard,
•  reduction of power loss in the transmission and distribution system,
•  no disconnecting of crossing 220 kV, 110 kV, MV and LV lines,
•  no restrictions in electric power sales from extra high voltage, HV, MV and LV systems,
•  reduction of power system operational costs,
•  improving Occupational Safety and Hygiene in operational and repair jobs,
•  developing proper habits in operational and repair jobs,
•  increasing the operational level,
•  reduction of time required for the operation,
•  more environmental friendly way.

BIBLIOGRAFIA

1. Michniewski R., Aspekty techniczne i ekonomiczne prowadzenia prac pod napięciem w ZE Toruń SA, Energetyka,
2002, nr 10/11.
2. Michniewski R., Czy warto wykonywać PPN na liniach przesyłowych w Polsce?, Energetyka, 2006, nr 6 i  Biuletyn
Informacyjny PTPiREE, 2006, nr 4.
3. Michniewski R., Prace pod napięciem na słupach odporowych i odporowo-narożnych linii 400 kV – uzyskiwane efekty
ekonomiczne, IX Konferencja „Prace pod napięciem w sieciach nn, SN i WN w Polsce i na świecie”, Gdańsk 21–22.06.2007.
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Oddział w Toruniu, VIII Międzynarodowa Konferencja ICOLIM 2006, Czechy, Praga, 7–9.06.2006.
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