State Grid Zhoukou Power Supply Company: Technology Empowers Intelligent Spring Inspections

“An early start and diligent work promise a rewarding spring inspection season,” therefore, State Grid Zhoukou Power Supply Company wasted no time. Its operation and maintenance technicians have recently been utilizing acoustic imaging technology to detect discharges on insulators, porcelain bushings, and other equipment on transmission lines. This was just one example of how the company incorporates new smart technologies, specifically “drone + ultrasound” systems, into its ongoing spring maintenance program to identify and address potential grid hazards.

With the spring inspection season underway, the company aimed to efficiently pinpoint defects and develop precise maintenance plans. Supplementing their regular grid hazard patrols, they deployed advanced tools like drones equipped with ultrasound sensors to perform comprehensive “check-ups” on power line equipment. This approach enabled them to quickly and efficiently identify critical points of concern, formulate targeted corrective measures, and promptly eliminate potential problems, ensuring a reliable and safe power supply for customers through optimized grid operation and maintenance management.

Traditionally, hazard identification relied heavily on day and night patrols combined with infrared thermography. Line workers would assess equipment health primarily through visual, olfactory, and auditory observation, supplemented by temperature readings. However, these methods could be prone to incomplete inspections and imprecise assessments. Following guidance from the municipal power company, Fugou County Power Supply Company has now used drones equipped with high-definition cameras and positioning technology combined with simulation software. This allowed for multi-dimensional, comprehensive, and thorough inspections of insulators, fittings, and line corridors, revealing defects and hazards often missed by conventional ground-based inspections.

Meanwhile, Shangshui Power Supply Company was tackling the challenge of insulator flashovers, cracked porcelain bushings, and loose connections - issues that often arise from prolonged use or other factors affecting distribution lines and are difficult to detect with the naked eye during routine inspections. Ultrasound technology, however, allows sensitive digital instruments to detect subtle anomalies. By capturing and analyzing the sounds of electrical discharges and the reflections from flashover points, technicians can quickly identify faults and pinpoint areas of metal fatigue or cracking on the lines. This information is then logged, categorized by risk level, and used to develop targeted repairs, ensuring equipment reliability and a secure, efficient power supply.

The successful application of these new intelligent devices by State Grid Zhoukou Power Supply Company and some of its county-level branches has enabled highly efficient, intuitive, and intelligent inspections of the regional distribution network, marking a significant step forward in the company’s grid operation and maintenance practices. (By Liu Bin & Wang Yumin)