A concept for an ice detection system on overhead power lines, theory and practical results

The detection of the mechanical load of high voltage overhead power lines caused by ice is a crucial point for decisions to activate de-icing and for monitoring of high current based de-icing procedures. This paper reports about solutions for ice load and high current load monitoring by wireless sensors at overhead power lines of distribution grids of 110 kV level voltage and more. A theoretical methodic of calculating of the sag of the conductors depending on the ice load and on the elevated temperature due to Joules loss is implemented into the algorithms of the sensor system. The contribution shows the practical realization of such sensors and of theoretical methods by practical results. It reports the results of a field tests at a real distribution grid of 110 kV voltage level in different weather conditions.