5 things about high voltage power lines
#1 High voltage power lines :Definition
A high voltage power lines or high-pressure lines are a cable or electrical cables coming out of an electrical power station to connect the current for use in factories and homes. The cable carries a very high voltage of 100,000 volts or more and the electrical current in which it usually flows is AC(Alternativ current ).
The air acts as an insulator between the cables that carry the current. Wood towers, reinforced concrete, or interlocking iron bars can be used to build the towers for a voltage of less than 50 kV. As for the voltage above 50 kV, cross-linked iron towers are used in Europe. For voltages above 110 kV, interlocking iron pipes are also used to build the towers.
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For the purpose of protection from electric lightning strikes, the cable’s height from the ground should be at least 4 meters for the voltage less than 1000 V, and for the efforts above 1000 V (1 kilovolt), the cable’s height must be increased from that from the ground.
#2 Why are there red and white balls on power lines?
#3 Different types of power lines (VHV, HV, MV, LV)
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The transport network: very high (VHV) and high voltage(HV) lines
- With minimal losses, VHT lines can transport large amounts of electricity over long distances. These lines, whose voltage exceeds 100 kilovolts (kV), constitute the principal network of transmission or interconnection. They allow regions and countries to be connected together as well as provide a direct supply of large urban areas. Most THT lines have a tension of 400 kV.
- The high-voltage lines constitute the regional distribution or supply network and allow transport on a regional or local scale. They transport electricity to heavy industries, large consumers of electricity such as rail transport and make the link with the second network. Their voltage is between 10kV and 100kV.
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The distribution network: medium (MV) and low voltage(LV) lines
- Medium-voltage lines allow local power to be transported to small industries, SMEs, and businesses. They also make the link between the customers and the transformer stations of the current distribution companies. MV lines have a voltage between 15kV and 30kV.
- Low voltage lines are the smallest lines in the network. Their voltage is 230V or 400V. These are the ones that we use every day to power our household appliances. They, therefore, allow the distribution of electrical energy to households and artisans
#4 Electrocution problems
A major risk of electrical lines on birds
Above ground electrical infrastructure represents a major risk to birds if some precautions are not taken, due to their size. And its large presence.
Most of the above-ground power lines (both medium and high voltage distribution lines) pose deadly risks to birds through collision with overhead cables and the risk of electric shock.
Bird collision occurs when a bird flies and collides physically with the power cable and usually, The bird is killed because of this collision, or because it occurred on the ground, or dies from injuries resulting from all of this.
As for electrocution, it happens When a bird bridges the gap between two charged elements or a charged element and a ground element. This results in a short circuit so that it flows The electric current through the
body of the bird is electrocuted and is often accompanied by a blackout.
In these countries, the problem of electrocution is a serious threat to a number of species, Especially storks and birds of prey that build their nests on electric towers or use poles as a place to rest.
Power lines are one of the main causes of abnormal bird deaths in a large portion of African-European and Asian flight paths. Collisions with species threatened with extinction from the first supplement to the bird protection directives in many European countries, for example, Spoonbill – Platalea leucorodia, and the problem also exist in Africa.
The problem of electrocution is not just that an issue about bird conservation, but rather serious economic and financial consequences due to downtime and energy savings, which is a cause of concern among companies electricity distribution.
It is estimated that there are many millions of crash victims annually and there is a high proportion of victims. Black-tailed Godwit – Limosa Limosa in the Netherlands and Houbara and Eagle in Spain and Portugal.
Although at present electrocution is not a problem in northwest Europe, where most of the low voltage lines have been laid underground, however, there are still many countries, in Europe and elsewhere along the African-Eurasian flight paths, that no
Sound in mitigating low and medium voltage lines.
#5 What is the solution to the problem of birds’ electrocution?
Underground power lines
In spite of This is rarely implemented for a large area, due to technical and financial challenges, but it reduces harm to birds and contributes to the lives of millions of birds around the world.
Keep birds away from power lines
Optical deterrents have been tried in the past, « such as using silhouettes on columns to limit birds’ journeys over the lines, but they have proven ineffective. The problem with these devices is that birds get used to them, but as for audio or sound buddies, they enjoy blankets despite the absence of any articles proving their activities. With these deterrents, birds are not likely to get used to it, but the problem is that this cannot be applied over long distances in addition to its high costs and over time it will lose its impact.
Adjust places.
This can be done in various ways, including surrounding the electricity line with trees, in order to attract birds to them instead of going to the electrical lines in order to manipulate the movement of birds, but this also requires significant financial and environmental costs.
Line design – less obstacle for birds
Although different types of birds fly at different altitudes above the surface of the earth, there is consensus that the lower the power cable line, the better it will be to prevent the collision of birds. There is also a consensus that vertical spacers pose less for birds.
Determining the power lines make it more visible to birds
Electric line marking devices
Since the assumption is that birds collide with hanging cables because they cannot see them, mounting them with devices in order to make them more visible to birds in the air has become the preferred option for mitigating collisions around the world. In addition to making the wire thicker or coating and coloring the wires less visible, there is a wide range of marking devices for power lines that have evolved over the years, including balls, swing boards, spiral dampers, tapes, flight guides, fins, and balls Aerials, tapes, flags, fishing rods, fly balls, and crosshairs.
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