New Optical System for Online, Real Time Sag Monitoring of High Voltage Overhead Lines

A new optical system, based on image analysis, has been ad-hoc developed in RSE for the online monitoring of the clearance to ground of overhead power line conductors and to study winter ice sleeve formation and monitor summer overheating. The system is capable of in-field standalone operation. The functionality of the system, long-time tests at laboratory level and in a test facility have been performed. The results demonstrate its ability to perform sag and ice sleeve measurements. In-field tests are scheduled on a significant span of overhead line in the near future.