A Hardware and Software Complex for Remote Monitoring of a High-Voltage Line Arrester under Operating Voltage

A hardware and software complex for remote monitoring of high-voltage line arresters (HVLAs) under operating voltage has been developed. The complex is a two-level distributed system with autonomous monitoring points. The main functional units of the complex are a block of current sensors, a registration and communication device, a self-contained power supply, a receiving base station, and an automated workplace (AWP). Apart from the total leakage current and number of operations, the complex registers the amplitude and duration of the HVLA lightning pulse. These parameters may be used for the assessment of the HVLA residual resources and making a decision as to the feasibility of its further operation. An optical sensor on the basis of a bismuth silicate crystal is used as a sensor of an impulse current; its operating principle is based on the Faraday linear magnetooptic effect. The advantage of the bismuth silicate crystal is the feasibility of the noncontact measurement of the pulse magnetic field strength, high temperature stability and high noise immunity. The standard of the wireless LoRa communication was selected for the transmission of information; its advantage is a high noise immunity, larger range of radio signal transmission (up to 10 km), low energy consumption, and high penetrating capacity penetrability. A solar battery with a standby power supply—a rechargeable battery—was selected as the self-contained power supply. Program modules for receiving and transmission of information and AWP were developed. The hardware and software system allow preventing the emergency situations on the high-voltage line, planning more service and repair operations more effectively and efficiently, and starting the operation of HVLAs based on technical conditions.