Other

American Electric Power Company, Inc.

James R Booker

John M Schneider

Edward J Koegler

John D Mandeville

A hot stick testing apparatus and method including a pair of generally ring-shaped electrodes spaced from one another at a predetermined distance. Each electrode has a central opening configured to receive the diameter of a hot stick under test positioned longitudinally through the central opening of both electrodes. Each electrode includes relatively smooth, outer surfaces presenting generally curved contours to enhance generating a relatively high electrical field intensity between the electrodes, without causing electrical flashover or arcing in the air gap between the electrodes. One of the electrodes is operatively connected to a source of high voltage and the other to ground. The testing apparatus has the ability to generate an electrical field intensity between the electrodes of about 140 to 170 kv per centimeter with an applied voltage in the range of 60 to 80 kv to the energized electrode.

Testing device and method of testing insulated handles used for servicing high voltage transmission lines

The present invention is a non-invasive cable tester. The cable tester comprises a sensor for detecting an electric field emitted by a live electric cable. The resulting signal from the sensor is then filtered, amplified, and compared to a threshold value to determine the energization status of the electric cable. A meter can be provided to get a reading of the amplified signal that can be compared to a predetermined threshold value. Also, a detector circuit can be provided that includes a comparator in electrical communication with a light-emitting device such as a light-emitting diode. The detector circuit processes the amplified signal and compares it to a predetermined threshold value. If the electric cable is energized, the output of the comparator either causes the light-emitting device to emit light or not emit light, as desired. This enables an operator to determine the status of the electric cable simply by determining whether the light-emitting device is lit.

Non-invasive cable tester

A method and apparatus for detecting a loss in cross-sectional area of metallic reinforcing members having magnetic properties of a conductor indicating corrosion effects on the conductor. The method comprises providing a motive force to move a data collection component and a detector component along a length of conductor. The detector includes a rotating magnetic source spaced apart from an electronic coil winding. In use, a conductor is interpositioned between the magnetic source and electronic coil winding. The amount of magnetic field passing through the conductor induces a voltage in the coil inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area of the steel reinforcing strands of a conductor. The described apparatus can be used to determine the rate of loss of cross-sectional area for a conductor over a period of in use by measuring the cross-sectional areas of the metallic reinforcing members over an adequate time interval. Alternatively, the cross-sectional area of a new conductor can be compared to the cross-sectional area of a conductor in use for a known period of time to estimate a rate of loss of cross-sectional area. This determination can be compared to a minimum baseline cross-sectional area indicative of imminent failure to estimate the remaining useful life of the conductor in use.

Method of measuring the cross-sectional area of magnetic reinforcing

A method and apparatus for detecting a loss in cross-sectional area of metallic reinforcing members having magnetic properties of a conductor indicating corrosion effects on the conductor. The method and apparatus comprises a tug component to provide the motive force to move a data collection component and a detector component along a length of conductor. The tug component further includes a rechargeable battery, a motor energizable by the rechargeable battery, a guide wheel and tensioner assembly. Linked to the tug is a data collection component. In turn, a detector is linked to the data collection unit. The tug, data collection unit and detector all ride along the same conductor by a series of guide wheels and tensioners. The detector further includes a magnetic source spaced apart from an electronic coil winding. In use, a conductor is interpositioned between the magnetic source and electronic coil winding. The magnetic source is preferably energized to produce a rotating magnetic field which is directed at the conductor. The amount of magnetic field passing through the conductor corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the steel reinforcing strands of a conductor. The magnetic field recognized by the coil induces a varying voltage depending upon the cross-sectional area of the steel strands of the conductor through which the rotating magnetic field passes. The electronic coil may also be linked to a recording system such that the change in magnetic field induces a change in voltage in the coil which can be recorded on a strip chart, graph, CPU or other suitable data collection unit. The data collection component therefore may also include a relay system comprising a transmitter and receiver sufficient to send data streams and information to a ground surface when the unit is used above ground to analyze and test overhead conductors.

Reluctance change apparatus and method of detecting loss of

A method and apparatus for detecting a loss in cross-sectional area of metallic reinforcing members having magnetic properties of a conductor indicating corrosion effects on the conductor. The method and apparatus comprises a tug component to provide the motive force to move a data collection component and a detector component along a length of conductor. The tug component further includes a rechargeable battery, a motor energizable by the rechargeable battery, a guide wheel and tensioner assembly. Linked to the tug is a data collection component. In turn, a detector is linked to the data collection unit. The tug, data collection unit and detector all ride along the same conductor by a series of guide wheels and tensioners. The detector further includes a magnetic source spaced apart from an electronic coil winding. In use, a conductor is interpositioned between the magnetic source and electronic coil winding. The magnetic source is preferably energized to produce an alternating (e.g., oscillating or rotating) magnetic field which is directed at the conductor. The amount of magnetic field passing through the conductor corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the steel reinforcing strands of a conductor. The magnetic field recognized by the coil induces a varying voltage depending upon the cross-sectional area of the steel strands of the conductor through which the rotating magnetic field passes. The electronic coil may also be linked to a recording system such that the change in magnetic field induces a change in voltage in the coil which can be recorded on a strip chart, graph, CPU or other suitable data collection unit. The data collection component therefore may also include a relay system comprising a transmitter and receiver sufficient to send data streams and information to a ground surface when the unit is used above ground to analyze and test overhead conductors. An optional amplifier, band pass filter, and maximum and minimum type voltage meter may also be included.

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Baltimore, OH, United States of America

James R Booker