Maintenance of Transmission Lines by Helicopter

M. A L E X A N D E R
MEMBER AIEE

O. K. M A N G U M
ASSOCIATE MEMBER AIEE

UCCESSFUL USE of the transport helicopter in Korea and in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia is focusing attention on the potentialities of this craft as a transport vehicle. With such successful operations in mind, a study was indicated of the feasibility of using a commercially available 8-passenger 1,500-pound payloadcarrying transport helicopter for transmission-line maintenance and repair work. The system studied was the 1,558mile transmission system of the Parker-Davis Project of the Bureau of Reclamation, in Arizona, California, and Nevada. Figure 1 shows the payload-carrying capabilities of the transport helicopter under varying conditions of operation when equipped with suggested basic optional items. Line crews, tools, and supplies for hot line changeout of a 230-kv insulator string will weigh approximately 1,400 pounds; a 161-kv double crossarm change-out, about 2,600 pounds; a conductor break for either voltage, about 2,700 pounds. A special cross-country vehicle would be used for pole and tower replacement. A comparison of these weights with Figure 1 shows the transport helicopter to be capable of expeditiously transporting, in one load, crews and equipment necessary to accomplish satisfactorily usual transmission-line repair work. Two trips are necessary in the less frequent instances of crossarm change-out and conductor breaks for high-voltage lines.

Table I. Comparison of Annual Maintenance and Repair Expenses1,558-Mile Transmission SystemParker-Davis Project Estimated expenses using light helicopter for patrol, with conventional maintenance and repair methodsfor year 1955 Salaries $223,000 Travel expense 24,000 Equipment use 30,000 Patrol helicopter* 18,000 Patrol road maintenance 50,000 Estimated annual expense $345,000 Estimated expenses using two transport helicopters as major transport medium for transmission line patrol, maintenance, and repairfor year 1955 Salaries $133,400 Travel expense 4,000 Equipment use 20,000 Transport helicoptersf 112,600 Patrol road maintenance 16,000 Estimated annual expense Estimated annual saving $286,000 $ 59,000

* All operating expenses, including salaries of pilot and mechanic. f All operating expenses, including salaries of three pilots and three mechanics.

For the system under study, using two transport helicopters permitted: 1. Reduction of five line crews to two main crews and an auxiliary crew. 2. Virtual elimination of patrol roads for steel tower lines and reduction of requirements for wood-pole lines. 3. Taking advantage of helicopter's mobility in the strategic location of line crews for service restoration during emergent conditions. Patrolling would be accomplished by helicopters. Preventive maintenance of steel tower lines would be incorporated in the patrol activity. Ground vehicles would be used for preventive maintenance of wTood-pole lines with vehicles remaining in work area. Helicopters would transport all men, supplies, and fuel to daily work sites. In addition to providing satisfactory maintenance and repair transportation and making possible quicker restoration of service during emergent conditions, the entire job can be accomplished at a considerably reduced annual cost, as is shown in Table I. This study indicates that for the system studied the use of the transport helicopter takes advantage of the inherent qualities of this type of craft and capitalizes on its ability to carry repairmen, tools, and supplies to work areas in minutes, rather than hours, as is required now. The transport helicopter's relatively great speed and mobility make possible a major reduction in maintenance crews and equipment ; increased continuity of service ; a substantial saving in maintenance and repair costs; and an inherent improvement in customer service.
Digest of paper 53*341, "Economics of Transmission-Line Maintenance and Repair by Helicopter,'* recommended by the AIEE Committee on Transmission and Distribution and approved by the AIEE Committee on Technical Operations for presentation at the AIEE Pacific General Meeting, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, September 1-4, 1953. Scheduled for publication in AIEE Transactions, volume 72, 1953. L. M. Alexander is with the United States Bureau of Reclamation, Region III, Boulder City, Nev., and O. K. Mangum is with the United States Bureau of Reclamation, Parker-Davis Project, Phoenix, Ariz. ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

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Figure 1. Payload capacity in pounds for vertical take-off performance of Sikorsky S-55 helicopter. No wind, no ground run, and ability to clear 50-foot obstacle in 400 to 500 feet. Take-off weight less payload, 5,450 pounds

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Alexander, MangumMaintenance of Transmission Lines