Manipulator system for constructing overhead distribution lines

This paper describes the manipulator for liveline construction of high-voltage overhead power distribution lines (line voltage of 6.6 kV), jointly developed by Tokyo Electric Power and other companies. It describes the system's development concept and configuration as well as operability tests using actual-scale distribution line poles. A prototype model of a ground-mounted twin-arm manipulator was trial-manufactured in 1985. In 1988, a vehicle-mounted system was developed in which the twin-arm manipulator was mounted on a telescopic aerial truck. A practical system was then developed based on these results.<>