There are several methods to clean insulators. Hand clean- De-Energized The insulator is cleaned using a hand brush.  This is done de-energized. Hand clean Energized – A cleaning brush is attached to a hotstick and the insulator is cleaned by hand.  This is typically only done for vented lightning arresters or in areas when wet/dry […]

In general, insulator washer truck aerial platforms are not insulated unless they are also used for live line maintenance. The reason why we do not insulate the platforms is because the wash guns and truck chassis should be grounded to the structure.  Adding an insulated insert is therefore unnecessary as it must be bypassed during […]

Both the skid and trailer have their own advantages in having a mobile washing system installed on them. The basic skid package consists of all of the washer components. The water tanks size will simply depend on the load capacity of the chassis used to transport the washer. The advantage of using a skid is […]

A third test was conducted on contaminated insulators. Firstly, they were flashed over, then washed, then flashed over again. During the process the voltage was noted when the second flashover occurred, thus establishing the effectiveness of the “washing”. An important note to add is that most of the insulators obtained full insulation ability. The importance of having clean insulators stems in the […]

Live line consulting project in Pakistan. Below are photos of a 132 KV suspension tower insulator replacement.

In the field of live line maintenance there is a large variety of equipment used to wash insulators. Currently there are a few substation and special tower applications which possess fixed washing systems installed. However, for effective cleaning to occur there is a requirement for the insulator to be “hit” from varying angles at different […]

In November 2013, MITSA completed a second 6 week training course with Harouge Oil Company. This was a basic introductory course to live line maintenance. Below are some training photos from class 2.

In October 2013, MITSA completed a 6 week training class for Harouge Oil. Below are some photos for class 1.

The tests that had been run took place in a district were some insulators were being washed, whereas others were not. After light rain and fog, 57 pole tops had caught on fire along with 12 circuit interruptions in the unwashed section. On the contrary, no issues whatsoever  occurred on the washed insulators. The effect […]