2017 12th International Conference on Live Maintenance (ICOLIM)
A Performant Antigalloping Device For The 400 kV
O/H Lines With 3 Subconductors Was Designed
Tested Manufactured And Installed In Romania In
2015. Live-line Procedures Available
G.A. Florea – Senior Member IEEE
M. Florea, S. Tibuliac, M. Vaju
Power&Lighting Tehnorob S.A.
C.N. Transelectrica
Bucharest, Romania
Email: georgeflorea@tehnorob.ro
Abstract—Following the implementation of the antigalloping
devices for the 400 kV o/h lines with 2 subconductors per phase,
as explained in our paper presented by the occasion of the
ICOLIM 2014 in Budapest, a new antigalloping device of the
same torsional damper and detuner pendulum type was created
and already implemented on some of the 400 kV with 3
subconductors per phase in Romania, in 2015.
The device is characterized by combining the properties of
torsional damping with those of detuning, avoiding the energy
transfer from the torsion to the vertical motion. The torsional
damping leads to a higher critical wind speed at which the
galloping instability appears and limits its amplitude, while the
detuning characteristic of the device separates the torsional and
vertical frequencies.
The new device design took the main shape of that used for 2
conductors per phase, the rigid spacers being now triangular and
some differences in the dimensions having to be considered. Nine
alternatives were taken into account for testing. Finally, based on
the transfer function diagrams, two alternatives were further
developed and manufactured, the Llght (L) and the Heavy(H).
The axonometric drawing and the view one are shown in the
figure. The difference between these two consists of different
counterweights (H- 10.9 Kg and L- 8.9 Kg) and different distance
between the counterweight axis ( H- 860 mm, respective L- 830
mm).
The concept of the damping pendulum as torsional damper
and detuner (TDD) was created and reported in 1993 by its
authors led by Prof. Jean-Louis Lilien from University of Liege-
Belgium.
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M. Oltean
E. Mateescu
L. Lipan
SMART S.A.
ROENG-T.E.C
University Politehnica Bucharest
Bucharest, Romania
Several versions were designed, tested and even used in some
minor projects, demonstrating their high capacity to solve the
risk of the overhead line conductor galloping with usual
frequencies in the range 0.4- 0.6 Hz. The parameter describing
the damping performance is the transfer function with values in
the range 1.5- 2.5 in the case of the previous versions. The new
version transfer functions came to much better values.
A description of the pendulum parts, tests carried out and the
final design are presented.
The pendulum can be easy mounted in live- line conditions.
Keywords— damper, galloping, live-line, pendulum, test
I. INTRODUCTION
The galloping phenomenon consists of low frequency and
high amplitude wind induced vibration of the single and
bundled conductors, with a single or a few loops per span. The
met frequencies are in the range of 0.1 to 1 Hz and their
amplitudes may vary from 0.1 to 1 times the sag of the
conductors in the span. The galloping may occur if a steady
wind acts upon an asymmetrically iced conductor surface. The
wind speed is moderate without to may mention an upper limit
of the speed and the wind direction has to be of more than 450
to the line axis.
The impact on the overhead line structural elements
consists of the excessive loads caused by the conductor
movement leading to the horizontal and vertical bending, as
well as torsional effects. Because of the large amplitudes of the
galloping oscillations, at the conductor attachment points the
breaking loads may be reached for both tower elements and
insulator string hardware. The torsional oscillations of high
amplitudes lead to the frequent conductor outer strands
breaking.
1
 2017 12th International Conference on Live Maintenance (ICOLIM)

During the galloping, especially those characterized by very III. THE TORSIONAL DAMPER AND DETUNER
big amplitudes, the flashovers between phases or from phase to DEVELOPMENT
groundwire may appear, causing the arcing damages to the
The TDD-2 was designed by the research group of Prof.
conductor surface and even broken strands in those conductors.
Jean-Luis Lilien (University of Liege, Belgium) in ’80-ies. The
first devices were manufactured and delivered to the Belgian
II. METHODS OF PROTECTION TSO, ELIA, in 1994. New other types were developed (8.1,
Four types of protection methods against galloping are well 3.1, 2.2a, 2.2b, 2.2, 3.1), for different phase structures [2],
known: starting from 2002. The type 2.3 was preliminary designed by
Dr. Alexander A. Vinogradov from ESSP, Russia, to satisfy the
• The removal of the ice on the conductors, by electrical necessity of the Romanian 400 kV overhead lines equipped
or mechanical means or even the ice formation with 2 ACSR 450/75 conductors per phase, in 2011. The
prevention; Romanian team in charge, under Dr. A. Vinogradov
• Installing antigalloping devices on the supervision, improved and detailed the design. 126 pieces were
conductors/phases, diminishing the risk of the galloping manufactured after the type test performance and were installed
from building up or just from attaining big amplitudes; on a section of the 400 kV Isaccea- Tulcea overhead line. In
2014, other 261 pieces of the same type were manufactured
• Adoption of increased clearances between phases or and installed on two other 400 kV lines in Romania.
from phases to the shieldwires, tolerating the galloping;
But, the galloping is a wide phenomenon met in Romania,
• Reconductoring using the special conductors with a especially in the South- East side of the country and the 400 kV
lower risk of galloping incidence. lines with 3 subconductors per phase (ACSR 300/69), crossing
the region, requested such antigalloping devices. Therefore, a
The ice removal is very well known, but very difficult to be new type of torsional damper and detuner had to be designed
applied. The increased clearances may be applied for the new and tested, the TTD 2.3- RO. In the autumn of 2015 the design
lines, during the design stage, but not on the existing lines and and the type tests were ready. 639 pieces are already installed
can not eliminate or even reduce the dynamic loads caused by on the relevant sections of 3 400 kV single circuit lines.
galloping. The reconductoring is a very expensive solution
without to get significant advantages.
IV. THE TORSIONAL AND DAMPER PENDULUM FOR 3
Concerning the special antigalloping devices, the CIGRE SUBCONDUCTORS PER PHASE
Brochure no. 322 [1] describes 14 types, mentioning their
The main design parameters are: the torsion rigidity, the
characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. The most used
damping properties of the elastomeric units, the pendulum
devices are: the rigid and flexible interphase spacers, the air
inertial momentum around the fixing point and the distance
flow spoilers and the detuning pendulums. The best behavior
between the pendulum weight center and the phase axis.
was got by the detuning pendulums, with a galloping amplitude
reduction of about 90%. The pendulum design took the main shape of that used for 2
conductors per phase (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), the rigid spacers being
The detuning pendulum action uses the assumption that the
now triangular and some differences in the dimensions having
torsional movement of the bundle interacts with the vertical
to be considered (Fig. 3 and 4).
motion. The wind energy induces a vertical motion through the
torsional movement. To avoid the frequency coalescence
between torsion and vertical movement, causing the instability,
a separation of the frequencies corresponding to the vertical
movement and the torsion motion is needed, the process being
named the detuning. The detuning changes the conductor
dynamics, preventing the potential aerodynamic instability.
The torsional damper and detuner device (TDD) combines
two types of pendulums, the simple pendulum and the torsion
pendulum. The detuning characteristic of the TDD separates
the torsional and vertical frequencies, increasing the torsional
frequency. The damping characteristic of the torsion pendulum
limits the galloping torsion amplitude. During the gallopings,
especially those characterized by very big amplitudes, the
flashovers between phases or from phase to groundwire may Fig. 1. The torsional damper and detuner for 2 subconductors per phase
(photo)
appear, causing the arcing damages to the conductor surface
and even broken strands in those conductors.

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 2017 12th International Conference on Live Maintenance (ICOLIM)

between the counterweights. Finally, based on the transfer

function diagrams, two alternatives were further developed and
manufactured, the light (L) and heavy (H), the light ones to be
mounted at ¼ and 3/4 of the span and the heavy ones in the
middle of the span.
The pendulum structure is composed by 127 components.
The most important parts are: the 2 rigid spacers, the 2 tie rods,
the elastomeric damper sleeves, the counterweight axes and the
2 counterweights. The pendulum rigid spacers are fixed on the
armour rod protected subconductors.
A very important matter was that of the best stuff to be used
for the damper manufacturing, to may achieve the best
damping properties of the pendulum.
Fig. 2. The torsional damper and detuner for 2 subconductors per phase There have to be installed 2 or 3 pendulums on each span
(drawing) phase, depending on the span size.

V. TYPE TESTS
No standards are issued concerning these pendulums, so the
proposed type tests took into consideration the relevant suitable
tests provided by the IEC standards IEC 61897:1998
“Overhead lines – Requirements and tests for Stockbridge type
Aeolian vibration dampers” and IEC 61854: 1998 “Overhead
lines. Requirements and tests for spacers” [4, 5].
The requirements were fulfilled performing the type tests,
but sample tests, too.
Regarding the reliability the fatigue tests were carried out in
the case of:
Fig. 3. The torsional damper and detuner for 3 subconductors per phase • 0.4 Hz – 1,000,000 oscillations;
(drawing)
• 1.5 Hz - 10.000.000 oscillations;
• 20 Hz – 100.000.000 oscillations.
No welding damages or bolt unscrewing could be observed
after the mentioned cycles.
The damping properties of the pendulum were tested by the
IEC 61854 method (page 37 of the standard, Art. C- Damping
method), resulting the transfer function or the logarithmical
decrement. The results are shown in the diagrams of the Fig. 5
and 6, for the 2 types of pendulums.
10.9 kg x 860 mm

6
5
Fig. 4. The torsional damper and detuner for 3 subconductors per phase
4
(view drawing)
3
2
Without the devices (damper and detuner pendulums), the 1
vertical frequency of the phases are in the range of 0.16- 0.18 0
Hz, the torsional frequency being in the range of 0.19- 0.22 Hz. 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
After the device installation (3 per span and phase), the vertical
10.9 kg x 860 mm
frequency comes into the range of 0.15- 0.17 Hz and the
torsional one in the range of 0.45- 0.47 Hz. So, the major risk
of galloping occurrence appears for the first harmonic of the Fig. 5. Heavy device – initial transfer function
torsional oscillation with the third harmonic of the vertical
motion, this affecting the middle of the span (one loop and The difference between these two consists of different
three loops galloping). Nine alternatives were considered and counterweights (H- 10.9 Kg and L- 8.9 Kg) and different
manufactured for testing, with different weights and distances

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 2017 12th International Conference on Live Maintenance (ICOLIM)

distance between the counterweight axes (H- 860 mm,

respective L- 830 mm).
8,9 kg x 830 mm

5
4
3
2
1
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

8,9 kg x 830 mm

Fig. 6. Light device – initial transfer function

Fig. 8. Installation by platforms

VI. PENDULUM INSTALLATION ON DEENERGIZED LINES

Sometimes it is very difficult, if not impossible, to get a VII. LIVE - LINE INSTALLATION
deenergized line to may allow installing the pendulums. It is Live-line procedures may be applied to the pendulum
not possible to get from National Dispatch Center the rough mounting, three types of technologies being possible to be
financial data regarding additional costs implied by the line used: trolley chariot, by insulating platforms and by insulated
deenrgizing (congestions, intrinsic technological consumption, ladders. The last one was used and is shown in the Fig. 9. The
and maneuver costs) because the simulation can be done only average time for one device mounting is of 20- 25 minutes, 2
for a specific line. In this case it is not possible to compare the electricians being directly involved in. it seems that this is the
costs involving Live Working and the cost for the works with cheapest solution.
deenergized line.
The 400kV OHL may be very important for power
evacuation from wind farms (which was the case for the
considered lines for damper mounting). Deenergizing the line,
the additional costs due to undelivered energy should be
considered. Anyway, the contracts between System Operator
and wind power plants allow the line deenergizing only in
extreme conditions.
There are three possibilities to perform the installation, by
trolley chariot, by platforms and by ladders. The first two were
used (Figure 7 and Figure 8). To install one device by the
platform solution 15 minutes are necessary for 2 workers, one
on the platform the other being the platform driver. It is the
cheapest solution at this time.
Fig. 9. Installation by ladder

A. General Circumstances
For practical works the Procedure NTE 010/11/00 –
Technical Normative Establishing the Requirements for Live
Working in Electrical Networks and working procedures of
Smart should be applied.
The method applied is “bare hand” (the worker finds
himself at the same potential as the conductive elements on
which he is working)
When the works have to be done it is necessary for the
equipment to be in special exploitation regime (RSE) which
consists in: Auto reclosing cancelled, radio or telephone links
Fig. 7. Installation by trolley chariot have to be established between the working area and operative
dispatch centre, The reclosing of the OHL should be done
manually, only when the LW foreman agrees.

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 2017 12th International Conference on Live Maintenance (ICOLIM)

B. Weather Conditions All of them have advantages and disadvantages, but

The LW foreman has to analyze the weather conditions. It considering the flat ground in the area it seems that using
is forbidden to start the work under the following insulated aerial lift is more efficient (the time for completing
circumstances: Rainfalls – Rainfalls refer to rain, snow, hail, the work is shorter).
drizzle, rime or humidity of more that 80%, Thick fog – It is Comparing the costs for the three methods, considering the
considered to be thick fog causing humidity of more than 80% mounting of 90 devices (a ten span section of 400 kV line, the
or which dangerously reduces work safety visibility, Reduced cost differences are significant. The total costs (taxes and VAT
visibility – The situation in which the LW foreman cannot not included) in the case of the 400 kV single circuit lines with
clearly distinguish the workers in his team or the live elements 2 subconductors per phase are (in Euros):
the team has to work on, Electrical discharges – Are considered
to be lightning or thunders occurred at the workplace, Strong Method Workmans Tools Transport TOTAL
wind – Strong wind is considered to be the wind whose speed hip
in the working area is more than 9,5 m/s. Ladder 24240 10000 222 34462
Trolley 27000 8000 222 35222
C. Risk Assessment and Prevention Measures Aerial lift 18000 20000 2222 40222
The LW foreman should have on him the LW
Authorization filled-in for the specific working area, the In the case of 3 subconductors per phase (for the same line with
Technical Instructions (SMART –IT – LST 27/2013) and the 10 spans per section), the costs are (in Euros):
Specific Work Safety Instructions (SMART- ISSM – 27/2013),
related to this work. All along the working period, the foreman Method Workmans Tools Transport TOTAL
has to supervise the working team and the working area. hip
Ladder 30300 13220 222 43742
D. The Working Procedure [3] Trolley 34000 13220 222 47442
The foreman identifies the OHL and the tower where the Aerial lift 24000 25000 2222 51222
work has to be carried on. He checks the humidity level of the
air, the wind speed and decides weather the work should be
started. He ensures that every crewmember is well instructed Concluding, even if using the aerial lift is time effective it
and understood these instructions. The crew members that will is more economically to perform the work using the aluminum
work on the tower are supposed to wear the electro conductive ladder.
suits, anti-UV glasses, electro conductive boots, protective
helmet, climbing system, the little roll and insulating rope. The ACKNOWLEDGMENT
electro insulating tools are placed on the tarpaulin and on the The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of
tool’s props. Before the work starts, the rods shall be Prof. Jean-Luis Lilien for the long and successfully research
siliconated. The access on the wires is done, depending on the work allowing the theoretical finalization of the TDD-2.3- RO
field geometry, by one of the following methods: pendulum for 2 subconductors per phase. Also, the authors
• Using aerial insulated platform; acknowledge the contribution of Dr. Alexander Vinogradov,
allowing finalizing the TDD2.3-RO design and testing (for 2
• Using the aluminum ladder, directly from the ground; subconductors per phase).
• Using the insulated ladder, from the tower, and the
trolley to go on the wires. REFERENCES
Once on the potential the workers will mount a yoke on the Technical Reports:
wires. Using this yoke, together with a rope block, they will [1] * * * (June 2007), State of Art of Conductor
take up the pendulum and will mount it on the active wires. Galloping, CIGRE Brochure No. 322.
The pendulum is guided from the ground, using insulated
ropes. [2] * * * (2008), An attempt to create powerline anti-
galloping device with hysteretic type energy dissipation, test
When the work is finished, the workers dismantle the used report INTAs id: 03- 51- 3736, Moscow, Russia.
tools. The action is the same with the initial one, only reversed.
Technical Instructions
VIII. BRIEF COMPARISSON RRGARDING THE COSTS [3] ***- SMART – IT-LST –27/2013- “Installation of
Torsional Dampers on 220-400kV OHL’s active wires”.
For the Live Works three techniques can be applied in Bare
Hand method: Standards:
• using aluminum ladder [4] IEC 61897:1998 “Overhead lines – Requirements and
tests for Stockbridge type Aeolian vibration dampers”
• using a trolley
[5] IEC 61854: 1998 “Overhead lines. Requirements and
• using insulated aerial lift. tests for spacers”.

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