NEWAn effective method for diagnosing an overhead power transmission line using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was developed at the Department of High Voltage Engineering and Electrophysics of the Faculty of Power Engineering, NSTU NETI. An alternative method of controlling a drone proposed by university scientists — using the electric and magnetic fields of the power lines themselves - allows more rapid and accurate detection of defects on power lines, even in hard-to-reach places.
According to Vladimir Egorovich Kachesov, professor of the Department of High Voltage Engineering and Electrophysics, drones use special diagnostic equipment to monitor high-frequency radiation of the power line, thermal imaging, ultraviolet monitoring, and photo and video recording. With satellite control of the drone, the minimum flight altitude is approximately 50 m., which complicates the ability to examine defects and recognize them. Control by means of an electromagnetic field allows you to fly closer to power lines and obtain a high-quality image of a specific part of the emergency site. In addition, the drone can fly to hard-to-reach places, for example, such swampy areas. The method of power line diagnostics proposed by NSTU NETI scientists reduces the time required to search for defects and generally improves the quality of monitoring.
"Modern UAVs are controlled by satellites, and the closer the aircraft is to the wires of the overhead power line (power line), the worse it is controlled. In addition, the power line itself is a source of radiation, including high-frequency, which can lead to the fall of the drone. We have developed a method for autopiloting using the electric and magnetic fields of the power line. The industrial frequency field allows you to control the UAV, i.e.,hold it over the line route. Moreover, the closer the UAV is to the wires, the more stable it is controlled," said Vladimir Egorovich Kachesov.
There is already a prototype — an unmanned aerial vehicle, on which it is planned to install equipment for monitoring. Electric grid companies are interested in this diagnostic method: in Tomsk distribution networks, they plan to diagnose a 110 kV power transmission line.