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Uti& transmission engineers are beuig challenged with a new set of design parameters. These include the reduction of construction cos&, addressing transmisswn line aesthetics, and optimizuig power delivery within restricted right of way. This document describes a design approach which enables the engineer to maximize these criteria without sacriyxbig system reliabilily.
Uti& transmission engineers are beuig challenged with a new set of design parameters. These include the reduction of construction cos&, addressing transmisswn line aesthetics, and optimizuig power delivery within restricted right of way. This document describes a design approach which enables the engineer to maximize these criteria without sacriyxbig system reliabilily.
Uti& transmission engineers are beuig challenged with a new set of design parameters. These include the reduction of construction cos&, addressing transmisswn line aesthetics, and optimizuig power delivery within restricted right of way. This document describes a design approach which enables the engineer to maximize these criteria without sacriyxbig system reliabilily.
Low Environmental Impact J .T. Burnham P.S. Givens Transmission Line Department Florida Power and Light J uno Beach, FL Abstract - In todays operational environment, uti& transmission engineers are beuig challenged with a new set of design parameters. In addition to the traditional objective of system reliabilily, new issues of paramount importance have evolved. These include the reduction of construction cos&, addressing transmisswn line aesthetics, and optimizuig power delivery within restricted right of way. This document describes a design approach which enables the engineer to maximize these criteria without sacriyxbig system reliabilily. A laboratory test method for poijmer post uisulators is also presented which eflectively simulates combuied mechanical bad conditions expected in application, thus ahwing the utility enguieer to optimize span lengths, conductor size, and uisulator selection. Polymer hktory and benef& associated with compact file design are also reviewed. I. INTRODUCTION The use of horizontal line posts (HLPs) to nunimize ROW has been well documented [1][2][3]. The acceptance of polymer posts has increased their usage due to enhanced electrical and mechanical performance capabilities. Polymer insulators have been utilized by Florida Power and Light (FPL) since 1977 (at 138kV) to develop new structures which reduce construction costs, relieve ROW limitations, mitigate against cascade failures from porcelain HLPs, and are environmentally pleasing. The development of larger diameter fiberglass rods, on- going design improvements, and polymer materials testing has given FPL the confidence to apply polymer posts at higher voltages and longer spans. The development of single pole construction at 230kV, utilizing unbraced polymer posts, has demonstrated the same functional capacities as H-frame T.M. Grisham Reliable Power Products Franklin Park, IL structures at greatly reduced construction costs. Additionally, the use of silicone materials has significantly reduced outages, while the new designs allow more options in construction to minimize environmental impact. Due to the unique mechanical properties of polymer posts, e.g., high strength under bending, the ability to absorb shock or vibratory loads, deflection under loading, and an elastic limit near the ultimate strength, the need to develop applica- tion guidelines which clearly define the ultimate strength capabilities of polymers is required to maximize cost savings in construction. Historically, laboratory testing of polymers has provided limited product capability information due to the variability of the test methods employed. Insulator design ratings have added to this uncertainty since a standard rating method has yet to be agreed upon. Subsequently, FPL was forced to apply polymer post insulators utilizing conservative loading parameters which prevented full product optimization for cost savings, i.e., resulting pole spans were shorter than optimum. To address this shortcoming, a laboratory test program was devised to simulate actual field load conditions, thus allowing FPL to more clearly define insulator loading limits, maximize cost savings and maintain desired safety and operational integrity. A. History of Compact Trarisnrission Designs at FPL The increasing cost of obtaining new ROW in densely populated areas of Florida prompted the development of compact transmission line designs. In the early 1960s, FPL began constructing 69kV and 138kV lines with porcelain post insulators. This design concept was extended to include 230kV lines in the late 1960s. Porcelain post insulators, being brittle, are subject to mechanical failures [4]. When one porcelain post insulator breaks and falls it can create an impact load on adjacent structures, resulting in a cascade failure. FPL has experi- enced 10 separate instances in the past 30 years in which 6 or more ceramic post insulators cascaded and dropped conductor from transmission lines. Initiating causes of these failures include high winds, cars hitting poles, lightning strikes, construction crew techniques, and excessive conductor 0-7803-1 883-8$04.00019941EEE 494 tension. In these 10 instances, a total of approximately 550 ceramic posts failed dropping about 40 miles of conductor. Although porcelain post insulators provided the desired line compaction, it became evident that they could not perform satisfactorily when subjected to extraordinary mechanical loads. The application of polymer posts was investigated as a possible solution. Polymer posts incorporate a fiberglass reinforced resin rod as the main strength member. This results in a mechani- cally resilient insulator which is less prone to cascading failures. For these reasons, FPL constructed two 138kV lines using a total of 567 polymer post insulators as a trial in 1977. In 1982, FPL experienced a major cascade failure of a 230kV line with porcelain post insulators which resulted in dropping a conductor onto the Florida Tollway injuring two motorists. As a result of this event and the good experience with 138kV polymer posts, FPL converted the 230kV designs to polymer post insulators. To accommodate live line mainte- nance safety clearance requirements, a longitudinal length of 60" (&-2") was specified at 138kV and a 90" ( f 2") was specified at 230kV. Originally, braced post assemblies were used at 230kV and unbraced posts were used at 138kV. To reduce the possibility of cascade failures on existing porcelain posts, many structures in the FPL system were braced with organic polymer (EPR) suspension insulators of several different manufacturers. B. Unbraced Polymer Post Used at 230kV Initial polymer compact designs at 230kV utilized a braced polymer post assembly with EPR material. Ap- proximately 3,000 of these units were installed between 1982 and 1988. An evaluation of installed insulators revealed the braced post units were applied at span lengths which used less than 15% of useful cantilever strength. The insulators also showed signs of early deterioration of the EPR polymer. This was attributed to a combination of electrical stress (no grading rings were used) and environmental conditions (UV and salt contamination). The polymer degradation was significant, and a decision was made to find a more suitable polymer insulator for this application. FPL operational experience with transmission polymer insulators [ 5] [ 6] and FPL sponsored accelerated aging tests [7] indicated that insulators comprised of silicone materials would provide the best performance in the FPL service area. It was also concluded that an unbraced design provided adequate mechanical strength as well as reduced the cost of the insulator assembly. A11 U.S. suppliers of polymer posts were given the opportunity to submit drawings for 230kV unbraced SIR posts. Initially, one manufacturer submitted design drawings for a silicone rubber (SIR) unit and was subsequently approved as a supplier. Additional manufacturers have since been approved. A significant feature of the 230kV single circuit unbraced post used by FPL is that it is shorter than the braced unit, due to the increased contamination performance of SIR. The previous 8 foot long braced EPR polymer post unit required a grading ring on the line end of the suspension unit to reduce corona damage to the EPR material. The SIR insulators require no corona protection. As the grading ring effectively shortened the post's air gap, the section length could now be shortened to 7-1/2 feet. This reduction resulted in equivalent air gap performance, reduced the cost of the unit, reduced the deflection, and increased the useful cantilever loading range. FPL has installed approximately 6,400 SIR units in the past five years. Cost savings over the original braced polymer assemblies exceed $2,300,000 on approximately 200 circuit miles. This represents a savings of about $12,000 per line mile in insulator purchase and installation costs. An independent audit of transmission line construction costs conducted in 1993 demonstrated the 230kV unbraced polymer post insulator used by FPL to be $425 less, per structure, (material and labor), than an equivalent ceramic horizontal vee assembly [8]. The anticipated improvement in contamination perfor- mance of SIR at 220" leakage distance has been verified by field experience of five years without any documented flashovers. I t is signiticant to note this represents a Class I1 (medium pollution) design, per the IEC-815 standard, although it is applied in a Class 111, high contamination (coastal) environment . An unexpected benefit of this insulator was realized during the 1992 restoration of damaged structures from Hurricane Andrew. Because of its light weight, high strength, and availability, it was used extensively in tempo- rary repairs to 230kV lines originally framed with a variety of structure types [9]. Subsequently, FPL has created draw- ings for any emergency restoration which now specify polymer post insulators exclusively. C. 7he Double Circuit 230kV Structure The application of the newly designed unbraced polymer post in a 230kV double circuit single pole StNChI fe was delayed when maintenance supervisors indicated they could not perform hot line work on a structure with both circuits energized. They recommended that the polymer post insulators be increased in length so that a bucket could be safely positioned between the circuits. Trial work was performed with members of the Barehand Safety Committee (which is composed of both company and union members) at FPL's transmission maintenance training center to determine the length of post insulator required. To allow hot stick work with both circuits energized while complying with the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) 495 minimum working distance of 60" specified in rule 441 [lo], a minimum insulator length of 104" was needed. It was additionally determined that vertical phase spacing had to be increased from the traditional 8 to 10 feet to accommodate standard hot sticks in use at FPL. The increased phase spacing will have additional benefits such as reduced corona noise and losses, improved reliability through fewer phase to phase outages, and reduced electrical stress on thepolymer posts, a major aging factor for EPR polymer materials. -1' I m S29 759 87s' 95 500 69s 875' D. Rebuilding Existing Lines with the Double Circuit 230kV Structure FPL has approximately 800 miles of 230kV transmission lines constructed with wood sparlarm H-frame structures. These lines were built primarily in the 1950's through the 1970's in rural areas where ROW was inexpensive to acquire. This structure uses a wide ROW, typically 100 feet. When two circuits of this structure are on a ROW, the minimum width is 150 feet. These structures are becoming costly to maintain, as they are subject to rot in the warm moist climate of Florida, damage due to woodpeckers, and contamination flashovers of the porcelain insulators. The new double circuit single pole structure is so much more compact when compared to the wood spar/arm H- frames, that it is possible to replace one existing circuit with two, double circuit, single pole structures on an existing ROW (see Fig. 1). The potential benefits of doing this are significant. Since FPL already owns the ROW, there is no cost of obtaining new ROW. Environmental permitting and siting procedures, and associated costs, are also reduced. Wood H-Frame, Single Circuit (550 Feet Typical Span) ROW =110 Feet Two Double Circuit, Single Pole (750 Feet Typical Span) ROW =115 Feet l l l l Fig. 1 Right of Way for H-Frame vs. Single Pole Construction Cost comparison of removing existing structures and conductor and adding two double circuit single pole lines (four circuits) on the same easements are calculated to be--- $158,000 less than building four circuits on two concrete H-frames on new right of way, assuming a 750 foot span. Since the new circuits are closer together, EMF is reduced at the edge of the right of way to about one-half of the strength for the single existing circuit. A typical reduc- tion was calculated to be 130 to 60 milligauss. 11. DEFINING MECHANICAL STRENGTH FOR UNBRACED POLYMER PARTS Strength requirements for line posts in Florida's climate are optimized by unbraced polymer insulators. Since there is no ice loading, the rated cantilever is determined by the nom1 loading factors of vertical, transverse (tension or compression), and nominal longitudinal loads. Extraordinary loading was defined by hurricane conditions which generate 115 mile per hour (mph) sustained winds at 30 feet above ground level for a period of three hours, adding to the transverse loading. The intent of adding an extraordinary load during testing is to demonstrate the ability of the poly- mer to violate working ratings for temporary periods without damage or line loss. A. Single Pole Construction Strength Matched by Polymer FPL's experience in the past 30 years has led to the development of high strength concrete poles. Table I defines the maximum allowable span lengths for various wind zones in the FPL territory. The upper span lengths are equivalent to those of the current concrete H-frame designs now in use and were obtained using various pole sizes, 1431 4517 ACSR/AW Bobolink conductor with a 25 foot minimum ground clearance. SPREAD GWED SIDE GUYED ZONE UNGUYED (MPH) I5 KIP POLE 12 KIP POLE I5 KIP POLE I I15 350 452 110 I 350 I 509 I 823 II 395 574 823 455 612 875' 105 395 574 823 455 612 875' Note 1: Maximum span length is constrained by clearance requirement of 25 feet. Table I: Maximum Allowable Span (Feet) far Various Wind Zones 496 Knowing the capabilities and constraints of the concrete poles, a suitable polymer insulator can be selected for span optimization, In order to accomplish this, a testing program was devised to quantify the mechanical strength of the 3 inch diamebr polymer insulator. B, Laboratory Twting Procedure Developed to Simulate Installation Loading An extensive structural testing program was performed for the 3" diameter polymer post by applying various longitudinal and transverse loads. Then vertical loads were incrsswd from normal to destruction or as limited by test The overall approach was to mount the insulators in a specially designed space frame (see Fig. 2). Forces were applied by hydraulic cylinders operated by independent controls. The cylinders were mounted within self-contained space frames to eliminate deflection variation on the insula- tor, fixturing, C. Direction of Loading Determined for Ense of Analysis For application of the compressive loads. a trolley, mountad on a system of two channels, was installed so that the compression force was applied as a tension pulling toward the insulator base, perpendicular to the axis of the pole. As the vertical load was applied, the insulator would bend and the trolley would reposition itself to maintain proper force rpplication to simulate a horizontal wind component. To properly apply tension forces, it was necessary to make use of a fourth hydraulic cylinder with a free-running pulley on the outward end of the cylinder. The flexible steel cable applying the tension force was passed through this pulley, thereby permitting the tension cable to be realigned throughout the period of application so as to be in line with the axis of the insulator rod. The hydraulic cylinders controlling the application of the tension force and the position of the fm-running pulley were controlled by manual valves. An electric light system was developed, controlled by a micro witch sensing cable alignment. The operator could then alternately apply power to the two cylinders to maintain alignment. This "in-line" application of the tension force was consid- ered essential to cause the bending moment produced by the tension force to add, in a realistic way, the bending moment caused by the vertical load. This increased the stress at the insulator base, causing failure of the insulator at lower vertical loads than those found when there was no tension load. Longitudinal forces were applied on the line end fitting at the point of line connection. This location tends to apply torsional loading which is offset by vertical forces. D. Conversion of Test Results to Field Application Investigation of the combined load failing data yields a significant result, namely, the effects of longitudinal forces have minimal influence on cantilever strength ratings (see Fig. 3). With proper analysis of this data, it is possible to provide the transmission engineer with applicable information such as a standard working load based on testing and correlation to actual installation. Using the cantilever breaking loads, rated cantilever load (RCL) can bederived (see Fig. 4). The pertinent methodolo- gy is summarized below: A.B.L. x 0.98 =S.C.L. S.C.L. x 0.50 =R.C.L. Where A.B.L. =Average Breaking Load S.C.L. =Specified Cantilever Load R.C.L. =Rated Cantilever Load (Note: The above terms are those defined in the pro- posed revision (#a) of ANSI C29.11 to include composite line post insulators.) It is important to note that the compression curves in Fig. 4 do not represent the maximum capabilities of the unit. This is due to limitations of the equipment which did not allow testing of the insulators to failure. Instead, the compression portion of the maximum working load curve was developed using data accumulated during the extraordinary "hurricane" load tests. Comparison of the derived maximum working load with FPL insulator specifications demonstrates that the strength of the polymer line posts surpasses the FPL strength require- ments. In addition, by plotting the recommended pole strength limits from Table I onto the graph, it is apparent that the maximumworking load of the insulators exceeds the pole loading limitations (seeFig. 5) . The principal implication of Fig. 5 is that the 3 inch horizontal line post can be applied in any wind zone up to the maximumlimits of any of the poles in Table 1. From this information it can be concluded that span distance can be increased until the maximum loading limit of the pole is reached. By increasing the spans, and thus placing fewer structures per mile, two positive benefits are achieved: 1) line cost is reduced and 2) environmental impact is mini- mized. Examination of a specific field application clearly demonstrates the benefits that can be realized. For demon- strative purposes, a conductor turning a comer has been chosen to illustrate the worst case loading situation. For this calculation, the following FPL loading conditions have been utilized: 1431 4517 ACSR/AW Bobolink conductor, side guyed 12 kip pole, comer span lengths of 350 feet, maximum 497 turning angle of 15 degrees, stringing tension of 3,750 pounds, and wind loading of 115 miles per hour. In addition, a total safety factor of 2 is applied to the results. The resulting calculations yield a maximum vertical load of 565 pounds and a compressive load of 2,355 pounds. In comparison with the combined load rating chart (Fig. 3), it is evident that the insulator loading is well below the RCL of the 3 inch line post. Utilizing the recommended working loads described in Fig. 3, the span length may beincreased to 692 feet, discounting extraordinary loading effects of humcane conditions. This increase in span length translates into a cost savings and minimizes the overall environmental impact. E. Extraordinary Loading of Hurricanes Evaluated To determine if the design specification could be safely increased, it was necessary to simulate time-loading condi- tions for humcane conditions. For this testing, the conditions of humcane Andrew were applied to the insulator in both the tension and compression directions. The insulators were loaded at 125 % of the specified vertical load for three hours. The tension and compression force of 4,677 pounds is calculated to be the equivalent of a 145 mile per hour wind. At the end of the three hours, no damage was evident on this insulators. The vertical loads were then increased to failure. The breaking loads were the same as new units, i.e., the units were unaffected by the extreme loading. 111. CONCLUSION Polymer posts are enabling new designs which allow lower cost construction and reduce the environmental impact, while maintaining live line capability and increasing the potential to increase power flow or existing ROW. The use of polymers has been a continual process at FPL. At this time, the cost of polymer insulators alone is not a consideration when compared to porcelain, as the manufactur- ers have proven the design to be cost competitive. The application of polymers has been based on superior electrical and mechanical performance. The cooperative development of a combined load test procedure, coupled with agreement on working and extraordi- nary loading factors, indicates the polymer post exceeds the capability of the pole design. This was verified by visual inspection following the aftermath of hurricane Andrew. FPL, with the support of manufacturers, will continue to investigate cost reduction potential with unbraced, polymer posts. Analysis of this testing program indicates the need to establish standard methods for defining post strength, testing to specified procedures, and field installations which are based on sound engineering principles to achieve maximum cost reduction potential. [31 [41 151 161 171 181 191 IV. REFERENCFS T. Goodwin, "Compact Line Design and Upgrad- ing" Presented at the Southeast Electric Exchange Engineering & Operations Group Meeting, May 1990. D. Doubley, "The Use of Polymer Horizontal Vee Arms for 120kV to 230kV Conversion" From the Proceedings of the American Power Conference, Vol. 53-11, Page 1179. S.M. Foty, "Conversion of a 115kV Line to 230kV Operation Using Free Piveting Braced Composite Line Posts, " Presemed at the Canadian Electrical Association Imulator Symposium, March 1990. E.A. Chemey and C. Altomare, "Failures of porcelain line post insulators on the Ontario Hydro distribution system," Presented at the Canadian Electrical Association Spring Meeting, March 1988. J .T. Burnham, "Silicone rubber insulators used to improve transmission line performance in Florida, " Trcinstrrission and Distribution, vol. 44, no. 8, Au- gust 1992, pp. 20-25. J .T. Burnham, D.W. Busch, and J .D. Renowden, "FPL's Christmas 199 1 Transmission Outages," WPM 094-3 presented at the IEEE PES Winter Power Meeting, Columbus, Ohio, February 1993. H.M. Schneider, W. W. Guidi, J .T. Burnham, R.S. Gorur, and J .F. Hall, "Accelerated Aging and Flashover Tests on 138kV Nonceramic Line Post Insulators," 92 WPM 264-2 PWRD presented at the IEEE PES Winter Power Meeting, J anuary 1992. "230kV Transmission Line Study: Prepared for Florida Power & Light," Sargeant & Lundy, 1993. J . Wong, J .T. Burnham, and M. Eby, "Hurricane Andrew's Challenge to FPL's Transmission Line Depart mint, " Transnrission and Distribution, September 1993. "Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers," 1993 Ndonal Electric Sajiety Code, New Yo&, IEEE, 1992. 498 v. BIOGRAPHIES Jeffrey T. Burnham received the Bachelor of Engineering Degree from Midwest College of Engineering in 1984. He is Senior Engineer in the Transmission Line Department of Florida Power and Light Company. Thomas M. Grisham received the BSME Degree from Bradley University in 1970. He is Manager of New Product Development and Testing for Reliable Power Products. Phillip A. Givens received the BSEE Degree from the University of Florida in 1984. He is a Senior Engineer in the Transmission Line Department of Florida Power and Light Company. 499 P i c 0 m C U .- 'L E a, 0 Z 4- /' J , - I I 5 4 k m 500 . ...+............ 7 : Y \ /// I - 2 C (5 2 C cl U C C If - - E - l- -- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 0 5: 0 0 0 0 5) 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 8 r - uj m J 7 0 U3 U3 W U n 3 0 0 U - n m J m 7 0 m 7 W F U - m W U '7 U LL .. ..... . . .. . ... ... T m- a W a U W 2 / \ !/ .. . .. .... ..... ... .. .. i d a 0 J U W > W J i= z 0 W L L 0 W n U3 a n - - I / I \ .. .... . .. _,__ ..... . . . . . ..... ... .... .. U n r 0 0 -0 W U W z oc LL z 0 0 a ....... .... .. 3 0 m 3 ! ...... c . ..... . . .. . ..... . ... .. ... ... .... .O 7 w 71 a r 3 71 (d a. 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