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BIRD DAMAGE TO COMPOSITE INSULATORS

Conference Paper · January 2000

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 BIRD DAMAGE TO COMPOSITE INSULATORS

By: Peter W. Dulhunty ( email – sales@dulhunty.com )

Philip W. Dulhunty
J.A. (Tony) Gillespie ( email – tgillesp@powerlink.qld.gov.au )

SUMMARY

This paper presents the recent experience with bird damage to composite insulators in Queensland, Australia.
Options to prevent bird damage are presented along with the chosen solution for current transmission line
projects.

helicopter surveys and spot tower climbing indicated

1.0 INTRODUCTION
In the last eighteen months some transmission line
composite insulators have suffered damage from
birds during the construction period. The apparent
conditions conducive to bird damage have been
identified. A number of options for controlling bird
damage are considered and the solution adopted
for current projects is presented.
Some unanswered questions relating to bird
damage of composite insulators have prompted
future work.
the bird damage was in localised sections. Sixty two
bird damaged insulators were replaced bringing the
total to 165. Note that the total number of insulators
on the line is around 6000. All insulators have
silicone rubber sheds. The vast majority of
insulators were longrods, with a small quantity of
bridging posts used on tension structures. On
vertical suspension insulators, the damage is almost
exclusively at the tower end and at the live end
adjacent to the corona ring. Horizontal tension
strings suffered damage all the way along the
insulator. Note the damage to the tops of sheds of
tension insulators in Figure 1. Shed damage and
sheath damage has occurred. Of most concern are
insulators with the fibreglass core exposed. Note
the core has been exposed on the second insulator
from the right in Figure 2. The concern is that these
insulators may fail due to either electrical tracking or
brittle fracture. The sheath damage to suspension
insulators adjacent to the corona ring is very difficult
to identify from helicopters or from the ground.

2.0 BIRD DAMAGE PROBLEM

Trial installations and complete lines have been built

prior to 1998 without bird damage to composite
insulators. However, in 1998 and 1999, two
transmission lines suffered bird damage to
composite insulators during the construction period.

Bird damage was discovered just before

commissioning the 336km, double circuit 275kV
Calvale - Tarong transmission line in November
1998. A total of 103 bird damaged insulators were
changed. The maximum time of exposure was
eight months. There were more insulators with
damage that could not be replaced before Fig. 1 Bird damaged insulators on tension tower.
commissioning as there was insufficient time and no
more suitable spares available. Subsequent

IEEE Winter Meeting, Singapore, January 23 to 27, 2000 Page 1

Fig. 2 Bird damaged insulators close up.
One tension tower suffered extensive bird damage
to all 24 composite longrods on the tower.
A 110 kV pole line with horizontal vee composite
insulators also suffered bird damage during
construction in 1999. The 42km, double circuit,
110kV Middle Ridge - Oakey Power Station line was
commissioned in mid 1999. Longrods, horizontal
vee posts and vertical bridging posts were
damaged. Refer to photographs of the damage in
Figures 3 and 4. All bird damaged insulators were
replaced before commissioning. Approximately 60
insulators were replaced. The longest time of
exposure was four months. All insulators used have
silicone rubber sheds. There were approximately
3800 insulators installed on the transmission line.
Fig. 3 Bird damaged long rod insulator close up.
IEEE Winter Meeting, Singapore, January 23 to 27, 2000
Fig. 4 Bird damaged horizontal vee post and
longrod insulators.
In 1999, the 140km, double circuit 275kV Tarong -
Blackwall line was also under construction. This
line suffered no damage from birds. Earlier 275kV
lines constructed with composite insulators from
Karana Downs to Rocklea in 1992 and from
Springmount to Woree in 1997/1998 suffered no
damage. There was however, some reported bird
damage on the 110kV Middle Ridge - Torrington
concrete pole, double circuit, composite line post
transmission line during construction in 1995. This
line runs parallel to the Middle Ridge - Oakey Power
Station line for some of the route.
Refer to the map on the back page showing the
location of transmission lines in Queensland.
Bird damage has also been reported by TransGrid
in New South Wales to 132kV EPDM line posts on
the Moree - Armidale line during construction.
Energex suffered extensive damage to six silicone
shed line posts at Rocklea during construction of a
110kV line in 1999.
At the 1998 Cigré Paris meeting, bird damage was
reported in Switzerland.
Page 2
3.0 SURVEYS AND ANALYSIS morning. They feed until about 8 or 9.30 am then
move away, usually returning in the afternoon to
Ground surveys were conducted on both the feed again. Sunflower seeds appear to be their
Calvale - Tarong and Middle Ridge - Oakey Power preferred seed.
Station lines to establish why insulators were
damaged severely in some areas but not touched in Observations at this site suggest that bird damage
other areas of the line. (See reference 1). to insulators is very likely near crops such as
sunflower, sorghum and corn with a reliable water
The damage was caused mostly by galahs supply and with gum trees close by.
(scientific name Eolophus Roseicapilla) but also by
sulphur crested cockatoos (scientific name Cacatua
Galerita). The surveys suggested that these birds
are more prevalent in areas where water is
available (in creeks or dams) close to grain growing
fields. Nesting trees close to the transmission line
are also considered to be a factor increasing bird
population close to the line. Galahs were also
observed in close proximity to the line in cattle
grazing areas with water close by. It has been
suggested that birds may visit on a seasonal basis
e.g. when water and grain are available or to collect
insulator shed material for nesting. It should be
noted that even a single bird could cause severe
damage.

The insulator damage is thought to be from chewing

rather than eating. Both species responsible for
chewing the insulators have parrot like beaks. Their
beaks grow continuously throughout their lives.
Cockatoos will chew timber and even softer metals
such as lead or aluminium. Chewing is necessary to
wear down their beaks. Refer to attached photo of a
sulphur crested cockatoo chewing an insulator in
Figure 5.

Observations suggest that damage occurs only

during the construction period when the line is de-
energised, and no bird damage occurs when the
line is energised. However, bird damage can occur
when the line is de-energised for maintenance. It is
thought that the electric field is unpleasant for birds
when the line is energised. The electric field profile
is such that there is a relatively low absolute electric
Fig. 5 Sulphur crested cockatoo on insulator.
field value, and gradient, at the earthed end of the
insulator. It is possible that birds could chew the
The policy adopted for both Calvale-Tarong and
insulators at the structure end, even when the line is
Middle Ridge-Oakey lines was to replace all bird
energised. If this is the case, then large diameter
chewed insulators, independent of the extent of
sheds adjacent to the structure may be required to
damage. This was to ensure all insulators were in
prevent the birds chewing the “dead” end of the
an undamaged state, initially. Later inspections
insulator.
would then indicate whether energised insulators
are chewed by birds.
On the Middle Ridge - Oakey Power Station line,
pole number 99069 at the Torrington Tee is in close
It is suggested that an insulator must be replaced if
proximity to a seed farm (Pioneer Overseas
the fibreglass core is exposed or there is significant
Corporation). At this pole, the composite insulators
shed damage. Significant shed damage, in this
suffered extensive bird damage. The main crops
context, is reduced creepage length. Insulators with
grown are sunflower, sorghum and corn. Galahs
long radial splits in a shed, such that the split may
flock to this area in large numbers (over 500) to eat
propagate to expose the core, should also be
the seeds. From September to March, the galahs
replaced. Bird damage to the outer radial section of
have been observed to fly in from their roosting
a shed is not considered a problem, provided the
sites in the nearby hills at around 6 o'clock in the
damage is only to the rim and does not extend

IEEE Winter Meeting, Singapore, January 23 to 27, 2000 Page 3

closer than say, 50% of the radial length toward the
core.
4.0 OPTIONS
An extensive literature search was undertaken to
find possible solutions to the bird damage problem.
A number of options for bird control were identified
in reference 2. Bird control methods considered
include:
(a) Shooting
(b) Chemical deterrents
(c) Gas powered automatically fired cannon
(d) Broadcasting prerecorded audible noise of birds
in danger
(e) Ultrasonic scarers
(f) Electric fences
(g) Rotating mirrors
(h) Metallic spikes
(i) Scarecrows
(j) Bird kites in the shape of eagles or falcons
(k) Eye-spots
(l) Plastic snakes or cats
(m) Border collie dogs
Most of these options have been tried without much
success. Most parrot type birds, including cockatoos
and galahs, are relatively intelligent and can be
trained to talk and perform various tasks. Shooting
or poisoning, or in fact any deterrent that will harm
the birds, is frowned upon and not accepted by any
of the environmental agencies.
Plastic or cardboard tubes covering the insulator is
another possibility for protecting the insulators.
Another option is to fit disc insulators rather than
composites. For 18 disc insulator strings suitable
for 275/330kV, the extra cost of fitting and
purchasing discs, rather than composites, is 70%
the cost of an 18 disc equivalent composite
insulator longrod (abbreviated to 70% C.I.). (Note
the cost of discs installed is 170% C.I.)
The cost of replacing a bird chewed insulator during
construction is 200% C.I. including labour and
materials. If the damage cannot be repaired until
after commissioning, then the cost of replacing a
bird chewed insulator is 300% C.I. including labour
and materials.
For the Calvale-Tarong line, the estimated cost
saving of composite insulators over discs, and
taking into account installation and bird damage, is
AUS$450,000.
In 1997, Powerlink decided to use composite
insulators on all new transmission lines. Composites
were chosen over discs for lower capaital cost and
to facilitate helicopter maintenance. Distances in
IEEE Winter Meeting, Singapore, January 23 to 27, 2000
Queensland are large and helicopters are used to
keep maintenance costs down. Discs are too heavy
for efficient helicopter work. Back in 1997 the
greatest risk was considered to be the lifetime of
composites. However, it was anticipated that the life
would be 15 to 20 years.
5.0 SOLUTION
After a survey, the solution adopted for the
275/330kV Queensland - New South Wales
Interconnector, currently under construction, is a
combination of plastic covers and discs. The line
length is 330km in Queensland.
Tubes, aptly named “Polly-mar Shrouds” have been
manufactured from 1mm thick polypropylene sheet
preformed into a roll and held in place with velcro
strips. The birds can only chew a material if they
can obtain a perch to sit on, within pecking distance.
They have claws, which can grip around most
transmission line conductors, fittings, hardware and
polymeric insulator sheds with relative ease. The
tube acts as a barrier to protect the insulator sheds
and the rigid slippery surface of the plastic tube
prevents bird claws from taking a hold. The shrouds
are fitted over the insulator before the insulator is
attached to the structure. There is a loop at one end
of the shroud to facilitate rapid removal by
helicopter just before commissioning. This loop can
be grabbed by a hook, from a helicopter or from the
structure, and the whole shroud peeled off in one
movement without damage to the shroud or
insulator. Refer to a photograph of a helicopter
removing a protective cover from an insulator on the
second last page. In volume, the estimated cost of
purchasing, fitting and removing one cover is 30%
C.I. To keep costs down, the tubes are re-useable.
On a dozen tension towers assessed to be very
high risk, discs are to be fitted. As the line is
currently under construction it will be at least six
months before the line is energised.
Page 4
6.0 QUESTIONS AND FUTURE WORK

Bird damage has occurred on composite insulators

during construction before energisation.

The solution chosen to the bird damage problem

was to fit covers over the insulators during
construction.

The bird covers have only recently been installed

and they will not be removed until mid 2000.

On a few selected tension towers deemed to be

high risk, discs were fitted.

EPDM is tougher than silicone but both have

suffered bird damage. It is wondered if shed
material can be formulated that birds find
distasteful.

Further inspections will be programmed to

determine whether bird damage occurs on
energised lines.

IEEE Winter Meeting, Singapore, January 23 to 27, 2000 Page 5

 IEEE Winter Meeting, Singapore, January 23 to 27, 2000 Page 6
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