LIVE LINE INSULATOR WASHING

HOW WE GUARANTEE WATER QUALITY

Sources of Water:
Water of a consistent quality is required – this can be usually guaranteed from:
• Desalination plants
• Power stations
• Mountain streams
• Tap Water

The use of water from rivers and canals can be suspect because of contamination and inconsistent quality.

Live Line Insulator Washing - Water Application:

For practical applications, the quality of the water to be used is determined by the line voltage to be washed (see chart
below):

WATER CONDUCTIVITY VERSUS VOLTAGE

Conductivity Line Voltage

micro-mhos kV
(µS/cm)
300 TO 765
400 TO 500
500 TO 115

600 TO 34.5
700
700 ABOVE DO NOT USE

Example
If a 350kV line is to be washed it would be necessary to use water of not less than 400µS/cm

How Is The Quality of Water Measured?

Water quality in Live Line Washing is determined by either its insulating properties or its conductivity - one being inversely
proportional to the other.

Conductivity = 1/Restivity x 106

The units of measurements are:

Conductivity – micro mhos per cm (µ mhos/cm) or Micro siemens (µS/cm)

Restivity – ohms-cm ( -cm).

(The higher the reading of Restivity the better the water is for washing, conversely the lower reading of conductivity the
better the water is for washing).

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Note it is most important that the two are not confused, and that the units of any instrumentation are known and adhered
to. In this leaflet we will use conductivity and the units in µ mhos/cm (micro mhos/cm)

Water conductivity is one of the important parameters that influences the leakage current of the stream of water. A high
value of conductivity could lead to an insulator flash over or injury during the washing.
Factors that influence the conductivity of water are the volume and type of minerals and dissolved salts in the water, and
the water temperature of the water (Higher the temperature the more conductive the water)

Commonly dissolved salts include, sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, phosphate, and sulphate, but there are many
more.

The conductivity of water is determined with the use of a non temperature compensated conductivity meter. This is an
instrument a probe that has two electrodes with a predetermined space between them that is placed in the sample of
water, and a voltage is applied. Any ions between them will be attracted by the electrode with the opposite charge. Ions will
move between the electrodes and produce a current depending upon the conductivity of the solution.

TRANSLINK Water Quality Measuring Instrumentation:

a) Fixed Conductivity Meter - (Permanently fitted to the Washer Unit)

Probe / Sender Unit (located in side the Tank)

• Precision built Conductivity Meter

• High quality accurate Epoxy Probe built into the base of the Water Tank
• Easy to operate with Modern Electronics and sophisticated measuring techniques
• Probe fitted with 3.5m of cable to reach the instruments on the operator control panel.
• Water proof, with sealed connection to cable plugs outside the Water Tank
• All cables complete with compatible fittings at each end
• Fully calibrated prior to despatch.
• Automatic Temperature Compensation ATC fitted as Standard at 2% °C.
• 12v (supplied from washer unit)

Control Panel Instrumentation

a) Water Monitor
• Clear digital display of water quality in micro mho/cm (micro siemens/cm)
• Test button to check Alarm circuit.
• If water conductivity increases above the pre-set figure either because of water quality or increase in
Temperature, the alarm will sound and the test button lights RED
• Set Point to pre-set water quality

b) Operator setting controls

• Operator selector switch to select 100, 400, 500, 600 Micro Mho/cm (micro siemens/cm), determined by the
Operator Manual.
• Test button to check, the figure at which the water quality has been set, when released the display returns to
the actual tank water conductivity.

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 Constant Water Monitor Operator Setting Control
b) Portable Conductivity Meter - (For testing water prior to filling the Water Tank)

Specification
• Precision, pocket size meter, hand held Conductivity Meter
• Range 0 – 2,000 Micro mho/cm (micro siemens/cm).
• Easy to operate, with modern electronics, and sophisticated measuring techniques.
• 9v standard replaceable battery with low battery indicator
• High quality accurate linear epoxy Probe.
• 3.5m cable with suitable connector, (for remote monitoring away from meter)
• Fully calibrated prior to despatch.
• Supplied in quality robust, heavy-duty carrying case splash proof and giving full protection.
• ‘Cell K’ Calibration, with simple adjustment, (in the event of damage)
• 3 position switch, ‘ON’ ‘OFF’ ‘Cell-K’
• Temperature range 0 to 50 °C
• Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) fitted as standard at 2% °C

Portable conductivity Kit:

Meter
Probe and cable – 3.5 m
Battery 9v

Function
The portable conductivity meter is used to check the water conductivity before filling the water tank. The unit of
measurement is the Micro Siemen/ cm (µS/cm) which has the same numeric value as Micro Mho/cm (µMho/cm).

The conductivity meter will read the actual water conductivity whatever the temperature of the sample.

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 Probe inlet at top

Low battery indicator

Conductivity Read Out

Slider for
On
Off
Cell-K

Cell Constant
The Cell-K (Cell constant) is preset prior to delivery and is a function of the instrument/probe and relates to the gap in the
tip of the probe and the area of the electrode and the K value must NOT be adjusted. In the event of damage please
contact TRANSLINK for further advice, recalibration or replacement. The Cell-K value is marked clearly on the cable.

Start
1. Fit a 9v Duracell Alkaline battery (type MN1604 / 6LR61) or equivalent.
2. Connect the Probe Plug into the top of the meter.
3. Switch the meter “On”

Operation
Take a sample of the water to be tested and immerse the tip of the probe to at least 10mm above the breath holes in the
stem. The conductivity of the sample is shown on the display on the meter.

The tip of the probe should always remain wet.

The cable connectors should be kept free of moisture and dirt.

Always check the conductivity of the water to be used and filled to the tank BEFORE filling takes place.
The water conductivity increases with temperature.

If the water already in the tank has to be tested, it is recommended that the probe is lowered to the bottom of the tank to
ensure that any sediment does not affect the conductivity.
(Note - if the tank has been left for some time in hot sun, it may be noticed that the conductivity at the bottom of the tank
may be slightly lower than that at the top).

ROBUST SPLASH PROOF CASE PROBE FOR REMOTE SAMPLING

Cleaning and Storage

After each use the probe tip should be rinsed thoroughly in deionised water. If there is a build up of solids inside the
measurement area of the probe, these should be removed using a toothbrush.
When solids or dirt is removed wipe clean using tissue soaked in Propanol solvent.

Store the meter and probe carefully inside the robust splash proof case.
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