Upgrade-loops: apparatus and method for increasing electrical clearances of energized conductors

This paper describes an apparatus and method for increasing the electrical clearances of energized conductors from their grounded supporting structures, ground and other underlying objects. More specifically, this includes a number of insulators which help form an outwardly extending conductor loop, called an "upgrade-loop", to increase the clearance between the electrical conductor and its support structure. Upgrade-loops may be installed on existing transmission towers without any modification to the structures. They may even be installed live line, if necessary. Upgrade-loops can be implemented on existing power lines such that they would raise the conductors, thus increasing conductor clearance to ground and other underlying objects. This paper also describes upgrade-loops applications which include: (1) upgrading voltage for increasing the power transfer capability of a line; (2) improving line performance for system overvoltages and contaminated environments; and (3) simplifying line compaction for increased loadability while reducing ground level electromagnetic fields.