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Which of the following category of maintenance of overhead transmission lines can be carried out even if the system is live?
patrolling from the ground
Inspection from top
shut-down period inspection
other work
patrolling from the ground
Ground patrolling is a routine visual inspection procedure carried out along the transmission line route from ground level while the line remains energized (live). It allows engineers and technicians to identify physical defects, vegetation encroachments, and structural abnormalities without interrupting power supply.
IS 5613 (Part 3/Sec 1): 1989 & CEA (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations 2010
Ground patrolling is a routine visual inspection procedure carried out along the transmission line route from ground level while the line remains energized (live). It allows engineers and technicians to identify physical defects, vegetation encroachments, and structural abnormalities without interrupting power supply.
SsafeтАЛтЙеDminтАЛ+CbufferтАЛ тАФ Minimum safety clearance required from energized lines
IleakageтАЛ=XCтАЛVphтАЛтАЛ тАФ Leakage current via insulator string during live condition
Ground patrolling relies on ground-based visual observation, optical instruments (binoculars), and thermal/ultraviolet cameras to detect physical faults, overheating joints, or corona discharge on high-voltage energized lines. Since the inspector maintains safe clearance from energized conductors at ground level, no de-energization or shut-down is required.
Patrolling from the ground requires no shutdown and is classified as routine live-line condition inspection.
Top inspection and maintenance work like insulator replacement or conductor splicing typically require line outages or specialized Hot-Line Maintenance (HLM) protocols.
Ground patrol helps detect flashover marks, damaged insulators, missing tower members, and sagging conductors.
Continuous power supply to consumers without network interruption.
Cost-effective and quick method to cover long transmission corridors.
Limited visibility of top structure elements, line hardware, and upper side of insulator discs.
Cannot detect minor hairline cracks or internal insulator deterioration.
Routine pre-monsoon and post-monsoon line inspections.
Emergency patrolling during/after line tripping or atmospheric storms.
Option B (Inspection from top) requires climbing towers and brings personnel within safety clearance limits, usually requiring a permit-to-work (PTW) or special live-line techniques.
Option C (Shut-down period inspection) is explicitly done when the system is de-energized and grounded.
Option D (Other physical repair work) generally mandates a complete system shutdown for human safety.
A is correct тАФ Ground patrolling is performed from safe ground distances and does not require de-energizing the overhead transmission line.
Always distinguish between routine inspection (like ground patrol) and major repairs; inspections requiring tower climbing generally necessitate a Permit-to-Work (PTW) and line shutdown unless specialised Hot Line Maintenance (HLM) tools are deployed.