Simulation analysis of potential transfer process in live-line maintenance

Abstract

The transmission line maintenance is usually carried out by live-line maintenance, and equipotential live-line maintenance is one of the primary forms. In this process, the linemen need to enter the high potential with the help of conductive gloves or a potential transfer rod. This process is called the potential transfer. Because this process is accompanied by sizeable potential transfer current and transient energy, it may threaten linemen’s safety. Hence, the research on this process is of great significance. This paper improves the traditional transient model by introducing the arc model. The finite element method calculates the capacitance distribution between conductors by establishing the three-dimensional models of different postures and positions that the lineman may adopt. Then, considering the influence of the arc model on the process of the potential transfer, the potential transfer current and transient energy under different linemen’s postures and positions are calculated. Finally, the optimal mode of potential transfer operation for linemen in the process of potential transfer is proposed, which provides a theoretical reference for the safety protection of personnel in the process of the potential transfer.