Monitoring of OH Transmission Lines

The monitoring of overhead line has become an essential part of operating transmission systems in the past few decades. In some countries, it is already a standard tool for managing energy flow while others monitor the grid elements to improve the efficiency or safety of the utilized line. The practical examples of the methods are proven over the years in many countries. This has core importance because utilities prefer to, enhance reliability, and optimize energy flow according to different weather situations and reduce the cost of the operation. To implement this kind of optimized system, dynamic line rating could be an optional, but not the only smart method. The article presented is intended to review the general methods applied for monitoring the overhead transmission lines. Even with the best intention, it is not possible to cover all the methods and devices available in the market but this summary aims to outline the present challenges on the topic. The issue of the paper includes the monitoring of conductor clearance, sag, conductor temperature, the process of ice detection and de-icing methods applying mathematical models, weather information along the overhead lines and also field imaging. Besides describing technologies, short examples and analyses are provided through the gathered data over the years while conducting monitoring projects.