Hotline Washing / Maintenance:

The method and equipment used for Hotline Washing was developed by Yashmun, and has been
in use internationally for the last two and a half decades.

This process entails cleaning of Insulators and Switchyards under live line conditions

HOTLINE WASHING:

Background:

The enormous growth of industries has caused a considerable growth in atmospheric pollution in
the form of dust, coal dust, ash and chemicals in industrial areas. Along with contributing
geographical factors such as proximity of coastal areas, salt deposits, smog, rain etc. serious
damage and maintenance problems are caused for power generating units.

Despite the different anti pollution measures and devices the Government requires industries to
install,contamination is an ever increasing problem in the power industry. The pollution in form of
conducting materials affects the Insulators and hardware in switchyards, as well as on overhead
Transmission lines.

The pollution build up on these transmission lines provide a conducting path, resulting in
flashover, that in turn cause power disruptions to industries affecting production.

To arrest such contamination of Insulators, it is necessary to have a regular program of cleaning

at regular intervals. The earlier solution to the problem was to de-energize the line or Sub-station
and have workmen climb up and clean the Insulators in a tried and proven method of “hand rub”,
which entails physical manual cleaning. In today’s ever increasing demand for electrical energy
this process proves to be un-economical as the power industry does not make money unless
electricity is flowing.
This is where the process of Hotline Washing proves invaluable, as there is no need for power
shut downs and has proved to be a safer in a more economical way.

This method developed by us at Yashmun is now extensively being used for washing almost all
Electricity Boards and Electric Undertakings in India.

Operating Principles:

Whenever a jet of water is released in the air,

the water particles split due to resistance. At a sufficient distance the jet moves in the form of
small particles separated by air ,and the water path is not continuous. This forms a product
similar to an aerosol, which in turn guarantees a sufficient electrical resensitivity, hence there is
no leakage current . This is the principle behind the Yashmun method of Hotline Washing.

The high pressure jet is produced by means of a pump. Water with conductivity of 200 micromhos
or less per cc is used for washing purposes up to 220 KV. Hence normal lake or river water or
treated municipal water that has a conductivity of 90 to 120 micromhos can be used. In the case
of 400 KV washing only by D.M water is recommended.

The specilised nozzle used is held at a distance stipulated from the live point so that no leakage
current is encountered. For safety, leakage current in the water jet and nozzle is continuously
monitored by means of a special detector, designed and made by Yashmun.

Electrically Operated Equipment:

This is operated by a 415V, 3PH, motor. The unit consists of a motor driven high pressure pump
with a starter flexible hoses and HP nozzles. All this is mounted on a trolley. A 2000 ltr water tank
is placed on another trolley .The complete washing equipment is mobile and can be taken
anywhere in the Switch yard or Tower location.

Truck Engine Operated Equipment:

 This equipment developed by Yashmun is
used in instances where no power is
available and is fully mobile, especially
through hilly /jungle areas where
Transmission lines pass. This equipment has
been developed for the washing of
Transmission line towers up to 400KV.In this
equipment, the high pressure pump is
operated by means of Power-Take-Off shaft (PTO). The Truck is provided with 5000 ltr of D.M or
raw water. As the equipment is operated by means of the trucks engine there is no need for
electricity.

Advantages:

• No shut down/outages required

• Time and money saved as Power generation and Transmission are not disrupted while
the job is done.
• Improves the di-electric strength of Insulators
• Increases the life of Insulators
• Reduces transmission loss
• Helps Switchyard / Transmission lines function smoothly

HOTLINE MAINTENANCE:

We, at Yashmun, undertake Hot/Live line maintenance jobs upto 220 KV. We have all the
required tools and instruments imported from RITZ Brazil and A.B.Chance USA. Our certified
engineers and technicians have undergone training at the National Power Training Institute in
Bangalore.

Background:

Due to the increasing complexity of transmission networks, coupled with inter regional /inter State
ties, transporting of large quantum’s of power has rendered shut-downs on Transmission
lines/stations almost impossible, thus rendering a need for live wire maintenance technicians. A
network of 220 KV and 400KV Transmission lines form the backbone of the Transmission
network. Power flow from these networks are monitored and regulated by National / Regional /
State load dispatch centers. It is obvious that a constant supply of electricity is required by
consumers and for this an almost un- interrupted stable availability of Transmission lines is
required. Providing redundancy in transmission lines could be a solution, which, however is a
costly option. Therefore preventive maintenance, deploying live line maintenance techniques,
proves the best solution.

TESTING OF LIVE INSULATORS:

When testing a string of Insulators, each Insulator is consecutively brought in shunt contact with
the testing instrument prong and the meter deflection is observed. Any sudden dip in the meter
deflection across an Insulator determines the Insulator is faulty and signifies replacement.

To carry out this test we use an indicating instrument with 2 prongs in association with a hot
stick . Current passing through an Insulator is proportional to the voltage absorbed by that
Insulator.