Ryszard Michniewski M.Sc.

Zbigniew Konieczny
ENERGA-OPERATOR SA Branch in Toru
Street Genera a Bema 128, 87-100 Toru , Poland
E-mail: ryszard.michniewski@torun.energa.pl, zbigniew.konieczny@torun.energa.pl

ENERGA SA as a pioneer and leader in the implementation of operating

and repair work in Live Wire technology on 400 kV, 220 kV transmission
networks and on 110 kV distribution networks in Poland.
Currently in the territory of Poland, there are 4 (four) Power Engineering Corporations (Fig No 1):
- PGE SA – Polish Power Engineering Group, which covers by its range eastern and
southern parts of Poland,
- ENEA SA – which covers by its range western part of Poland,
- TAURON Polska Energia SA – which covers by its range the south of Poland,
- ENERGA SA – which covers by its operations central and northern parts of Poland.
The above power engineering corporations are distributors of electricity and operators of power
engineering systems from low voltage up to 110 kV. The individual corporations are composed also of
electricity generation plants and coal mines. The 400 kV and 220 kV transmission networks make up
the property of Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne SA (PSE) Polish Power Engineering Grids and are
operated by this company.
ENERGA SA Corporation was founded on 01.01.2005. The Corporation is made up by 8 Electricity
Boards, single person companies of the Treasury of State – Elbl g, Gda sk, Kalisz, Koszalin, P ock,
Olsztyn, S upsk and Toru . The headoffice of ENERGA SA is in the City of Gda sk.
ENERGA SA is the owner of networks from LV to 110 kV of a total length of 186 000 km, and over
56 000 transformer stations which it operates. It is active in an area of 74729 km2 which makes up
nearly ¼ of the territory of Poland. It has 17% of the electricity market. ENERGA SA has 3 larger
generation plants: Ostro ka (thermal) Generation Plant, W oc awek run-of-river hydro-power station
on the River Wis a, ydowo pump storage power station and several smaller hydro-power stations.
It has dependent subsidiaries and is a shareholder in independent companies. One of them is
a company which handles the distribution of electricity ENERGA – OPERATOR SA and which has in
its structure 8 branches and regions of electricity distribution.

Fig. no 1 - Power Engineering Corporations in Poland.

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The history of Live Wire Work on overhead lines of high and extra-high voltage in ENERGA –
OPERATOR SA Branch in Toru has been long and dates back to the previous century, the year 1933
in which such live wire work was carried out for the first time in Poland in Pomorska Elektrownia
Krajowa Gródek (Gródek Pomeranian National Generation Plant) (the predecessor of ENERGA SA)
on a 60 kV overhead line Gródek – Gdynia (Photo No 1).

Photo no 1 - Live Wire Work on 60 kV line, year 1933

In 1990, Life Wire Work was resumed on transmission lines in ENERGA – OPERATOR SA in Toru
branch on 400 kV line Gda sk B onia – P ock (by the method on the potential) and it consisted in the
replacement of PS 16B insulator in P string on a pole of Y52 type, with the use of technology and
equipment purchased in the former DDR. That technology has been still used to work on intermediate
poles. However, the German technology for the replacement of insulation and equipment on tension -
flying angle supports of 400 kV lines has not been applied (because it seems to be too complicated and
dangerous).
In 2006, ENERGA – OPERATOR SA branch in Toru , worked out a new technology for the
replacement of insulation sets on tension - flying angle supports on 400 kV lines where the wireman is
transported to the wire potential directly from the ground with the use of a purposeful double-part
insulation small crane, attached on the crossarm of the pole support. The mobile arm is terminated by
a special metal head which is based on a bunched cable and serves to pull up an insulation ladder
together with the wireman to the wire potential with the use of a mechanical winch, attached on the
platform of the gang truck. The mobile arm of the insulation small crane serves at the same time to
lower and pull up insulators’ strings to the support (Fig. No 2, 3 and 4).
Live Wire Work on 400 kV line supports/poles is carried out at a written job order based on the
technological record with SPZ automation - out. The job is carried out by a team composed of nine
workers (one wireman works on the potential, three on the support crossarm and four at the foot of the
support). The supervisor of the team does not participate in the work, and he exclusively supervises
the correctness of its performance.

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 Fig. No 2 - Small crane in the position to transport the wireman to the potential.

Fig. No 3 - Small crane in the position to transport the insulators’ string being replaced.

Fig. No 4 - Small crane selection of the length of boom depending upon the angle of line deviation.

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Live Wire Works on the supports of double circuit lines of 400 kV type Z52 are carried out only on
intermediate poles and on the lower phase of tension-flying angle supports (the hitherto technologies
developed, Photo No 9) . Currently, the company has been developing and implementing the
technology of insulation set replacement on tension-flying angle supports of Z52 type, upper and
medium phases (Photo No 2).

Photo No 2 – A fragment of insulation set of a small crane boom with head and insulation ladder
serving to transport the wireman to wire potential on Z52 supports - upper and medium phases.

In 1992 in ENERGA – OPERATOR SA branch in Toru , a technology to carry out Live Wire Work
on intermediate poles and through - crossing poles of 220 kV overhead lines and in 2008 the
technologies for the replacement of insulation sets on tension-flying angle supports were further
developed and implemented. The Live Wire Work on 220 kV overhead lines is carried out with the
method of work on the potential. On intermediate poles, and through-crossing poles, the wireman is
transported to the wire potential on the insulation ladder from the pole shaft and on the tension flying
angle supports with the help of an insulation assembly attached to the pole crossarm and the
insulators’ string protruding up to the end on the side of the wire. Live Wire Work on 220 kV line
poles is carried out by a team composed of 8 people with the same distribution of tasks as in the case
of 400 kV line, but there are two wiremen working on the post crossarm (Photos No 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7).

Photo No 3 - Live Wire Work on 220 kV line - mounting the insulation set.

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Photo No 4 and 5 - Live Wire Work on 220 kV line - the wireman’s transport to the wire potential.

Photo No 6 - Live Wire Work on 220 kV line – mounting the insulation set to discharge the wire
tension.

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 Photo No 7 - Live wire work on 220 kV line - transportation of insulators string to the ground.

In Table No 1, the number of works carried out by ENERGA – OPERATOR SA Branch in Toru in
the Live Wire technology on 400 kV and 220 kV overhead lines has been given from 1990 to 2010.

Table no 1.
Number of LW works on lines Total
400 kV 220 kV number of
Poles Poles works
P ON P ON carried out
1022 724 481 24 2251

Table No 2 specifies the number of works carried out in Live Wire technology in the individual years
on 400 kV and 220 kV lines from 1990 to 2010 years.

Table no 2
Year 400 kV 220 kV Total
1990 2 - 2
1991 5 - 5
1992 7 2 9
1993 2 35 37
1994 2 94 96
1995 6 20 26
1996 5 16 21
1997 26 1 27
1998 4 3 7
1999 1 2 3
2000 1 9 10
2001 8 3 11
2002 1 3 4
2003 1 9 10
2004 167 2 169
2005 199 1 200

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 2006 200 20 220
2007 128 35 163
2008 99 25 124
2009 263 61 324
2010 619 164 783
Total 1746 505 2251

As was stated above, in 2008, a new technology to carry out Live Wire Work on tension poles and
tension flying angle supports of 220 kV with the suspension of O2 and O3 insulation was
developed and implemented. The development of this technology was a rather difficult task as most of
220 kV lines were built with china long-rod insulators of VKLF 75/16 and VKLS 75/21 type made by
DDR, characterised by being prone to damaging in various atmospheric conditions. For this reason,
insulation conduits and strings may not be used to pull up the wireman to the wire potential and to
ensure wireman’s operation with the use of suspension from the side of the wire. To make possible the
replacement of insulation set with O2 and O3 suspension (long-rod insulation), before starting this
operation, it is necessary to take over the wire tension. For this purpose, special clamps were construed
(they may be made of steel, aluminium or plastic of a corresponding, mechanical resistance) put on
yokes of insulator strings on the side of the wire and on the side of the poles/support construction.
With the help of these clamps to which insulation rods are attached with pullers, the tension of the
wire is taken over which makes it possible to replace the insulation sets. The wireman is transported to
wire potential on the insulation ladder which is pulled up with the use of insulation system composed
of a ø 75 mm, 6 m long insulation rod, a metal head, an insulation roll and angle clamps. The
insulation system is attached in two points to the lower angle bars of the pole/support crossarm (Photo
No 8). While carrying out the works on the insulation string, from the side of wire, the wireman has
been staying all the time on the insulation ladder attached to the insulation system. While pulling up
the insulation ladder with the wireman, the head of the insulation system is sustained by the mobile
arm of the insulation small crane (to stiffen the insulation system).

Photo No 8 - Works on 220 kV line – mounting the insulation system to transport the wireman to wire
potential.

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The hitherto scope of works carried out in live wire technology, is presented in table no 3.

Table no 3
Position Year Scope of works carried out Line
1 2 3 4
1 1993 1995 Replacement of 318 pcs of VKLF 75/16 type insulators on P and PS poles 220 kV
2 2004 Replacement of 141 pcs. of double-circuit poles of Z52 type 400 kV
Replacement of 148 pcs. of PS 16B insulators on intermediate poles and 9 pcs. PS 22A
3 2005 on tension poles and repair of 73 pcs. of bridges on earth wires on intermediate pole 400 kV
supports and tension supports
Replacement of 55 pcs of PS 22A insulators in O2 and O3 suspensions on tension
4 2006 400 kV
poles and 128 pcs. of PS 16B insulators in P suspensions
5 2006 Replacement of 21 pcs. of PS 16B insulators on intermediate poles 220 kV
Replacement of 141 pcs. of PS 22A insulators in O2 and O3 suspensions on tension
6 2007 400 kV
poles and 24 pcs. of PS 16B insulators in P suspensions
Replacement of 114 pcs. of VKLF 75/16 insulator sets on the side of the wire and
7 2007 220 kV
construction in PO suspension on H52 poles
Replacement of 86 pcs. of PS 22A insulators in O2 and O3 suspension on tension
8 2008 400 kV
poles and 28 pcs. of PS 16B insulators in P and PV suspension on P poles
Replacement of 30 pcs. of VKLF 75/16 insulator sets in PO suspension and 48 pcs. of
9 2008 220 kV
VKLF 75/16 insulator sets in O2 suspension on tension flying angle supports
Replacement of 105 pcs. of PS 22A insulators in O2 and O3 suspensions on Y52
poles, repair of 20 pcs. bridges of earth wire, 224 phase boards were built over, 120 pcs.
10 2009 400 kV
big information plates for helicopters were built and 150 pcs. of upper parts of Y52 poles
were reviewed.
11 2009 Replacement of122 pcs. of VKLF 75/16 insulators in P suspension on H52 poles 220 kV
Replacement in 42 strings of 60 pcs. of PS 16B and PS 22A insulators in suspension
P, PV and O2. 12 pcs. of phase boards and 6 pcs. of big information plates for
12 2010 helicopters were built over. 26 pcs. of earth wires were repaired, 188 pcs. of earth wire 400 kV
bridges on P poles were repaired and 114 pcs on ON poles. Upper parts of 150 pcs. of P
and ON poles were reviewed.
P = intermediate pole; PS = through crossing pole; ON = tension flying angle support
The above-mentioned scope of work was carried out on 15 lines of 400 kV transmission network
and 220 kV belonging to Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne SA (PSE) (Polish Power Engineering
Grid) and to PSE Pó noc SA, PSE Wschód SA, PSE Zachód SA (Fig. No 5).

Fig. No 5 – Map of 400 kV and 220 kV transmission networks operated by PSE SA (grid).

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Average times for the replacement of insulators, individual suspensions on poles of 400 kV
and 220 kV lines are given in table no 4.

Table No 4
Average times for the replacement of insulators strings in Average times for the replacement of insulators strings in the
the individual types of suspension of 400 kV line individual types of suspension of 220 kV line
[min] [min]
replacement of insulators
Replacem
strings in PO suspension with
P PV O2 O3 ent of P PV PO O2
the replacement of sets from
sling
the side of wire and structure
105 201 116 188 37 80 - 107 233 148

In Poland, quite a few transmission lines of 400 kV voltage practically must not be disconnected to
conduct operation and repair works. The only possibility to carry out such works are those in LW
technology. It not only makes possible carrying out operations and repair works but also gives
financial benefits to the owner of the network and ecological effects to the environment. As an
example, we may quote the effects obtained on two 400 kV lines, table No 5, on which in the last
period of time, operating works were carried out (these are lines which practically must not be
disconnected).

Table No 5
Increase in Economic Economic effect
losses in effect, arising Not emitted to the atmosphere Hours worked
the system from reduced out on the line
Disconnection of Coal not
by losses in LV
400 kV line burnt CO2 SO2 NOx Dust
disconnect through LV technology
[t] [t] [t] [t] [t] [h]
ing the line work
[MWh] [K PLN]
Krajnik - Dunowo 16 173 2 102,5 7 552,8 15 817 119,4 36,7 8,4 316
Grudzi dz W growo
11 606 1 357,9 5 420 11 351 92,6 26,3 6,05 192
- P ock

Photo No 9 - Work on 400 kV line – assembling the insulation system to replace insulation on double
circuit poles.

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The scope of works possible to be carried out as on today by ENERGA – OPERATOR SA branch in
Toru in PPN technology is:

1. On 400 kV lines:
- replacement of cap - and - pin insulation and long rod insulation on intermediate poles and tension
flying angle supports in P, P2, PV, PV2, O2, O3 suspensions,
- repair of wires and bridges of earth wires on P and ON poles,
- repair of conductors (repair connectors, conductor taping),
- replacement and adjustment of conductor spacers,
- replacement of sets from the side of the wire and construction on P intermediate pole supports,
- replacement of sets from the side of the wire and constructions on ON tension flying angle supports,
- removal of foreign bodies from the earth wire and conductors,
- review of the upper parts of intermediate pole supports and tension flying angle supports.

2. On 220 kV lines:
- replacement of cap - and - pin and long rod insulation on intermediate poles, through-crossing poles
and tension poles in P, PO, PV, O2, O3 suspensions,
- repair of wires and bridges of earth wires,
- replacement of sets on the side of the wire and construction on intermediate poles and crossing
poles,
- replacement of sets on the side of wire and construction on tension ON supports,
- removal of foreign bodies from earth wires and conductors,
- reviewing of upper parts of intermediate poles, through-crossing poles and tension poles.

3. On 110 kV lines:
- replacement of cap - and - pin and long rod insulation on intermediate poles and through crossing
and tension flying angle supports in P, P2, PO, PV, O2 suspensions,
- replacement of sets on intermediate poles and through-crossing poles on the side of the construction,
- replacement of sets on intermediate poles, through-crossing supports and tension flying angle
supports from the side of the wire and construction of „D” series poles,
- repair of bridges and earth wires on intermediate poles, through-crossing supports and tension flying
angle supports,
- removal of foreign bodies from earth wires and conductors,
- building over and maintenance of the element of „Dynamic Line Load” system (DOL),
- viewing the upper parts of intermediate poles, through-crossing supports and tension flying angle
supports.

LW works were started latest on 110 kV overhead lines.

In 1998, carrying out of these works on intermediate poles sand through-crossing poles was started
and in 2003 on tension flying angle supports. These works are carried out based on the technology and
equipment, purchased in EDF (France), improved by our own solutions.
LW works on 110 kV lines are carried out by two methods:
- from a distance,
- on the potential - this method was developed and implemented in 2007 in ENERGA – OPERATOR
SA Branch in Toru , and is applied on intermediate poles, through-crossing poles
and tension flying angle double circuit lines on „D” series poles (photo No 12).
The LW works “from a distance” on intermediate poles (photo No 10, 11 and 13) are carried out with
the help of insulation sticks with heads, on which proper tools are placed (their dimensions may not
exceed 300x300x150 mm) and a pulley block with insulation lines. LW works on tension - flying
angle supports are carried out with the use of a double part insulation crane attached to the pole shaft
with insulation sticks, strain yoke put on the conductor close by the anchor clamp on one side and
strain yoke put on pole structure on the other side and insulation sticks with the tools placed on them.
In the working method “on potential”, the wireman is transported to the wire potential with the use of
insulation ladders from the pole shaft.
The LW works on intermediate poles of 110 kV line are carried out at a written job order. The team
operates, composed of:
- two wiremen on the pole construction,
- four wiremen at the foot of the pole.

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The supervisor does not participate in the works, only supervising the correctness of their
performance.

LW works on tension - flying angle poles are carried out by a team composed of seven people - three
wiremen work on the pole construction and the remaining wiremen at the foot of the pole but the
supervisor similarly as in the intermediate poles does not participate directly in the performance of the
work (Photos No 14,15,16 and 17).

Photo No 10 - Insulator replacement in P-110 Photo No 11 - Insulator replacement in PO-110

suspension suspension on through crossing poles

Photo No 12 - Insulator replacement in PO-110 Photo No 13 - Insulator replacement

suspension on a double circuit pole in P2-110 on crossing pole
on potential

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Photo No 14 and 15 - Insulator replacement in O-110
suspension

Photo No 16 and 17 - Insulator replacement in O2-110

suspensions

The results of carrying out LW works on 110 kV lines are as follows:

- no necessity to disconnect crossing extra-high voltage, HV, MV and LV voltages and by the same
no outages in the supply of electricity to customers,
- no reduction in the sales of electricity,
- no costs related to disconnecting of crossed lines and admittance of tools to work on 110 kV lines,
- reduction in network crosses,
- no weakening of 110 kV distribution system.
In table No 6, number of works carried out on 110 kV lines between 1998 and 2010 are given.

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Table no 6
Number of works carried our on following Average time of insulators
Number of poles Number of replacement on
Year LV works tension-flying insulators intermediate tension-flying
carried out intermediate through- replaced
angle poles angle supports
crossing
supports [min] [min]
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1998 68 51 17 - 98 50 -
1999 361 346 15 - 403 53 -
2000 294 250 44 - 447 79 -
2001 22 19 3 - 25 60 -
2002 250 231 19 - 275 50 -
2003 87 1 - 86 104 75 110
2004 353 208 - 145 479 44 77
2005 835 295 19 521 1401 50 60
2006 931 477 45 409 1291 48 59
2007 836 349 3 484 1358 48 58
2008 740 210 12 518 1331 46 60
2009 1470 892 9 569 2215 51 81
2010 551 152 15 384 880 63 75
Total 6798 3481 201 3116 10307 55 73

Multiyear experience of ENERGA SA Corporation proves the LW work technologies adopted and
applied in operating and repair works on 400 kV, 220 kV networks and 110 kV distribution networks
to be good and do not cause problems while being applied in every-day work.

Problems met while carrying out LW work on overhead lines are the following:
- difficulties in automation outage often occurring - for the time of paid-out works,
- in many cases, there are difficulties with the access to working posts because of land owners,
- in many cases, the equipment and pole construction is incorrect as it was built without the
anticipation of Live Wire Work which hinders the performance of Live Wire Work,
- occurrence of unfavourable atmospheric conditions which make impossible completing Live Wire
Works,
- frequently economic and ecological effects are not calculated when planning operations and repair
works on overhead transmission 400 kV, 220 kV lines and 110 kV distribution lines by the users of
these lines which has it that in many cases this works are made by traditional methods, i.e. with the
outage of voltage

LW works on 400 kV, 220 kV transmission lines and 110 kV distribution lines are performed so as to:
• not to weaken the power engineering system,
• reduce losses in transmission and distribution lines,
• not to cause outages of crossing lines 220 kV, 110 kV, MV and LV,
• not to limit the sales of electricity from extra-high voltage, HV, MV and LV networks,
• reduce the costs of network operation,
• improve safety at work while carrying out operating and repair works in the network,
• work out correct habits while performing, operating and repair work,
• raise level of operating,
• reduce in many cases the time of procedures,
• improve effects in ecological area.

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Michniewski R. – Aspekty techniczne i ekonomiczne prowadzenia prac pod napi ciem w ZE Toru
[Technical and Economic Aspects for Live Wire Work in Electricity Board
Toru ], Energetyka Journal 2002 No 10/11,
Michniewski R. – Czy warto wykonywa PPN na liniach przesy owych w Polsce, [Is it Worth to Carry
Out Live Work on Transmission Lines in Poland], Energetyka Journal 2006 no 6
and Biuletyn Informacyjny PTPiREE 2006 No 4,
Michniewski R., Michniewski D., Niejadlik T. – Wykonywanie prac pod napi ciem w Polsce na
napowietrznych liniach 110 kV, [Live Wire Work in Poland on overhead 110 kV
lines], International EICOLIM Conference 2004, Romania Bucharest 25 –
27.05.2004,
Michniewski R. – Prace pod napi ciem na s upach odporowych i odporowo – naro nych linii 400 kV
– efekty ekonomiczne, [Live Wire Work on Intermediate Poles and Tension
Flying Angle Poles - 400 kV - economic effects], Biuletyn Bran owy No 2 2007
Energia Elektryczna PTPiREE,
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Toruniu na linii 400 kV, 220 kV i 110 kV – uzyskane efekty ekonomiczne i
zwi zane z ochron rodowiska, [Live Work Implemented by ENERGA -
OPERATOR SA Branch in Toru on 400 kV, 220 kV and 110 kV Lines -
Economic Effects Obtained and Those Related to Environmental Protection],
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Dmoch K., Konieczny Zb. - Prace pod napi ciem w ENERGA - OPERATOR SA – nowe technologie
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New Technologies on Overhead Lines HV], International ICOLIM Conference
2008 Poland Toru 04 – 06.06.2008,
Michniewski R. – Wykonywanie prac w technologii PPN na liniach przesy owych 400 kV, 220 kV i
rozdzielczych 110 kV w ENERGA - OPERATOR SA Oddzia w Toruniu, [Live
Wire Work on 400 kV, 220 kV Transmission Lines and 110 kV Distribution
Lines in ENERGA-OPERATOR SA Branch in Toru ], Acta Energetica 2009 No
1.

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