E4014 Construction Surveying

Transmission Line Surveys

Objectives
provide an understanding of the principles
involved and methods used for surveying
transmission lines
describe factors that affect the location of
transmission lines
describe the basic principles of the survey
and design of transmission lines

Objectives (cont)
understand the survey & design required for a
rural extension line
display a knowledge of the surveys required
for high voltage lines

Introduction
Three main types of transmission lines
(a) rural extension of the distribution network
( low & high voltage )

(b) extra high voltage lines carried on towers

similar design principles apply to types (a) and
(b)
factors are more critical and methods more
accurate for type (b)

Introduction
Third type of transmission line
( c ) urban distribution network

Power Supply System

Generation
Transmission
Distribution

Power Supply System

Generation
electrical energy is generated at the power
stations using 3-phase a.c. generators
voltage and frequency are controled producing
a moderate voltage of, say, 13.8 kV

Power Supply System

Transmission
high voltage transmission lines are used to
transfer electrical energy from the power
stations to the load centres
usually 3-phase overhead conductors
suspended from insulators attached to towers,
and called PRIMARY TRANSMISSION lines
275kV used in Qld, 330kV in NSW and 500kV in
Vic

Power Supply System

Transmission (cont)
power transformers are used at generating
stations to step up or step down the voltages
choice of transmission voltage depends on the
power to be transmitted and the distance
involved

Single Wire Earth Return System

( SWER )
Low cost, low maintenance method of
supplying power to isolated (country) areas
An isolating transformer separates the main
high voltage system ( 11kV or 33kV ) from the
SWER line ( 12.7kV to 19.1kV )
separates the different earthing systems

a single conductor overhead line feeds a

distribution transformer, which steps-down the
voltage to 2 circuits of 250V, or 1 circuit of 500V

Single Wire Earth Return System

( SWER )
The SWER system uses a unique method of
passing the return current through the earth
the resistivity of the earth must be within a certain
range for the system to work effectively

Basic Principles of Transmission

Line Design
Ideal route between the point of power
production and the point of consumption is
a straight line
Design Parameters and regional
constraints affect the location of power
lines

Design Parameters
Height of Poles or Towers
Span Length
Foundations

Angles

Design Parameters
Height of Poles or Towers
minimum height of transmission lines above
the ground, for road crossings etc is laid down
by an Act of Parliament
most economic design attains this ground
clearance and no more

more height increases span length, but

increases cost of pole or tower
increases depth of pole, or
increases foundation costs of tower

Design Parameters
Span Length
aim is to have as few poles or towers per
kilometre
poles should be placed to maximise span
length, whilst maintaining the minimum
clearance

Design Parameters
Foundations
location of poles or towers may affect the type
of foundations required
cost of towers in 1978
normal foundations - 4 legs, 5m deep, 0.5m deep
$2500
special foundation - unstable soil
$5000
rock anchor - rocky ground
$5000
piled - mangroves, coastal flats
$10000

Design Parameters
Angles
the pole or tower must be able to withstand the
tension of an indirect pull
poles will need to guyed on the half angle
angle towers can be up to $20000 more expensive
than an ordinary support tower

essential to keep bends to a minimum

Design Parameters
Summary of Design Parameters
Height of Poles or Towers

Span Length
Foundations
Angles

Constraints
Built up areas
topography
mountains, forests, rivers, swamps, flood
zones

recreational areas
national parks, development areas

Constraints (cont)
mining areas
cultivation areas
future uses
highways, railways, airstrips

environment
aesthetics, erosion

Rural Extension Surveys

Extend the power transmission network to
small settlements and farm dwellings
may carry high or low voltage
low voltage <
high voltage >

650 volts
650 volts

normal extension is 11kV or 22kV high

tension line

Rural Extension Surveys

Proposed extension is designed by an
electrical engineer and plotted on existing
topographical and cadastral maps
shows location of all properties to be served
shows proposed location of transformers etc

actual route location and design functions

are carried out in the field by the SURVEYOR

Rural Extension Surveys

Aim for

minimum number of poles per kilometre

minimum number of bends
minimum ground clearance (6m at 49C)
minimum clearance over
road cuttings
railways
telephone wires

Rural Extension Surveys

minimum cut angle between telephone and
power lines is 45 and parallel lines must be a
minimum of 30m apart to avoid interference
and power loss
before undergrounding of power and telephone
lines power lines were often placed 30 - 100m away
from the phone line which was often in the road
reserve
advantages - easy connections to sheds and houses set
back from road
disadvantages - cultivation, access

Rural Extension Surveys

Survey & Design
Basic survey problem is to obtain a profile
of the land over which the transmission
line is to traverse and to negotiate
obstacles unforeseen in the proposed
design - trees, hedges, buildings etc.
clinometer and chain
total station
GPS

Rural Extension Surveys

Survey & Design
traverse along proposed centreline from
the last pole position
note chainage and RL of grade changes and features
continue past the next pole position

plot profile
horizontal and vertical scales are different
governed by sag templates provided by Electricity
Authority

Rural Extension Surveys

Survey & Design

Rural Extension Surveys

Survey & Design
by using the sag template the position of
the next pole is determined
place a peg at the pole position
only after the chainage and RL of the point have
been compared to the plot

surveyor should do a reconnaissance

survey of the route before hand so that the
topography is known to some extent

Rural Extension Surveys

Survey & Design
angles are read
where a bend occurs
where a spur or branch line occurs

place a peg at the bend and at the half

angle
poles will have to be guyed

Rural Extension Surveys

Survey & Design
if line is traversing private property and
easements are required, then occupation
is also located
running chainage to fence, angle along fence and distance
along fence to cadastral corner

Rural Extension Surveys

Survey & Design
surveyor has measured
the profile of the line
the running chainages and RLs
the angles at bends

an accurate plot of the final design is made

for construction, easement and record
purposes

High Voltage Lines on Towers

Basic design factors are the same
the following are critical

cost factor
foundations
length of route
aesthetics and environment

High Voltage Lines on Towers

Initial Design
most suitable route is chosen based on

voltage, conductor, tower specification

topographical maps
cadastral maps
town planning schemes
aerial photos
local Authorities advice
other Government Departments advice
ground reconnaissance

High Voltage Lines on Towers

Initial Design
report on the route is prepared

costing
scheduling
approval
environmental impact assessment
comments of interested Public Authorities

High Voltage Lines on Towers

Initial Design
route maps are prepared

1:10 000
latest cadastral information
number of lines proposed
easement widths
current land use

High Voltage Lines on Towers

Initial Design
contact is made with the owners and
occupiers
negotiate easements and access tracks
property owners ( and other interested parties )
may object
property owners may state their intended future
use of the land

if objections justify an amendment then the

centre line may be re-routed

High Voltage Lines on Towers

Survey of the Route
high accuracy required
control survey for whole of the route
centre lines are cleared, surveyed and
marked
further public reaction may be forthcoming and the
route may be deviated again

keep lines to a minimum height for

aesthetic reasons

High Voltage Lines on Towers

Survey of the Route
surveyor locates towers and access tracks
appreciate land usage and erosion
report all relevant circumstances particularly
those affecting overall location

field data must show enough data for the

towers to be located and their positions to
be checked in the office

Urban Distribution Network

Transmission lines are entirely located in
the road or street reserve
span length is not as important
poles are place to service as many consumers
as possible

design and survey is usually carried out by

electrical engineers and their staff
underground transmission conduits
at least 5 times more expensive