Introduction to Overhead Power Lines

Overhead power lines transmit electricity across long distances. They use conductors, like aluminum or copper, supported by poles or towers. These lines are crucial for delivering electricity from power plants to homes and businesses, ensuring reliable energy distribution.

High voltage (HV) lines reduce energy loss over distances by using voltages from 69 kV to 765 kV. Surprisingly, HV lines can carry power hundreds of miles efficiently, thanks to the reduced current flow and therefore lower resistive losses.

In cities, power lines face unique issues like limited space, visual pollution, and safety concerns. Tree branches and birds can cause outages. Furthermore, electromagnetic interference with electronics is a lesser-known challenge impacting sensitive urban equipment.

Weather impacts, such as wind, ice, and lightning, pose significant risks to overhead lines. Regular maintenance, including inspections and tree trimming, is essential. Surprisingly, drones and AI are now being used for predictive maintenance to prevent outages.

Underground cabling is a solution for urban areas, though costly. Smart grids and advanced monitoring systems enhance reliability. Innovations like superconducting cables could revolutionize power transmission with near-zero energy loss, offering a promising future for urban electricity distribution.

Squirrels are a major cause of power outages! They can chew through cables and short-circuit transformers.