Maintenance of Transmission Tower

1. Maintenance of The Transmission Tower The towers and transmission poles are among the largest and most important commercial assets of an electric company. Unfortunately, as the need to generate profits and dividends from shareholders has intensified, regular investment in tower and post maintenance has often been reduced or eliminated to reduce costs. Ironically, these cost-saving measures have the potential to double or triple long-term maintenance costs while increasing the risk of power cuts and public safety problems. Principle of exponential corrosion More than 3,200 electrical services operate hundreds of thousands of transmission towers in the US. UU These galvanized steel posts and lattices generally vary from 50 to 180 feet in height, but can reach 900 feet or more. In the USA UU., Most of these structures were built between 1960 and 1990, which means they have had or will need maintenance and repairs soon. Depending on where they are located, galvanized transmission towers and poles can operate for 20 to 35 years before showing the first signs of corrosion. While galvanized steel in rural or desert

2. environments can remain rust-free for up to 50 years, coatings in salty coastal air or heavy industrial environments can only do so for 15 years or less. Once a galvanized transmission tower or pole begins to corrode, corrosion progresses exponentially. As the figure on this page indicates, a tower or pole with less than 5 percent rust at the age of 30 can rust to the point of failure within 10 years. More critically, as the tower or post is accelerated, corrosion, and also the cost of labor and labor and materials. Management and budget for repairs When corrosion begins to consume a tower or transmission pole, the key to managing repair costs is to stop its progress before the unit moves from one corrosion phase to the next. For utilities, the optimal solution is to repair all post and post inventory as soon as possible in Phase I, when it is less expensive. Unfortunately, that is not possible for most utility companies due to budget constraints and the different ages of the towers and poles in their inventory. Table 1 details the repairs and maintenance costs of the tower in phases I, II and III. Once Phase IV is reached, repair is impossible and it is necessary to replace it. Repairs prioritize As illustrated in Table 1, repairs to Phase III damages can be up to 70 percent more than Phase I repairs. For this reason, the most effective way to maximize maintenance expenses is not to fix The towers and posts that need more or less extensive repairs. According to this protocol, the repairs of towers and posts at the beginning of phases I, II or III are usually differentiated more easily in each phase. This approach is not only several miles of dollars for repair in the short term, but it also allows service companies to systematically make repairs in progress. Long-term cost savings When electric services and fines were deregulated in the 1980s, many resources were immediately and drastically allocated to the maintenance of the transmission tower. Although utility companies often own or maintain miles of towers and transmission couriers, for many the goal is to deliver energy to

3. maximize the return on investment. As a result, many of the towers and transmission publications must be repaired. Management and budget for repairs When corrosion begins to consume a tower or transmission pole, the key to managing repair costs is to stop its progress before the unit moves from one corrosion phase to the next. For utilities, the optimal solution is to repair all inventory of towers and poles as soon as possible in Phase I, when it is less expensive. Unfortunately, that is not possible for most utility companies due to budget constraints and the different ages of the towers and poles in their inventory. Table 1 details the repairs and maintenance costs of the tower in Phases I, II and III. Once Phase IV is reached, repair is impossible and it is necessary to replace it. Prioritize repairs As illustrated in Table 1, repairs to Phase III damages can be up to 70 percent more than Phase I repairs. For this reason, the most effective way to maximize maintenance expenses is not to fix the towers and posts that need more or less extensive repairs, but to fix those closest to the transition from one phase to the next. According to this protocol, the repairs of towers and posts at the beginning of Phases I, II or III are usually different from those found later in each phase. This approach saves not only several thousand dollars for repair in the short term, but also allows service companies to systematically plan repairs in progress. Application of the Keeler and Long KL4400 Series paint, a self-priming PPG anodic paint designed specifically for use in power transmission towers, bridges and substation structures; Free structural grid assessments, including on-site surveys conducted by trained and experienced PPG staff; Recommendations from reliable and qualified repair contractors; Development of maintenance plans, including prioritization of repairs; Paint specification proposals; Request inquiry; Yroposed budgets.