Investigation into In Situ Computed Tomography Inspection Technology for Conductor Connection Structure of Ultra-High Voltage Gas-Insulated Transmission Lines

Abstract The conductor connection structure in gas-insulated transmission lines (GIL) is vital for power grid stability. Traditional inspections require power outages or fault signal detection post-failure, lacking real-time internal structure assessment. This paper introduces an in situ computed Tomography (CT) inspection technology for ultra-high voltage GIL conductors, aiming for non-destructive, high-precision, real-time monitoring. It analyzes Yuyang line GIL’s inspection needs and designs a system with a ring-clamping mechanism and adaptable scanning path. A specialized algorithm tackles incomplete data and imaging accuracy issues unique to GIL. Experiments show the technology’s ability to image GIL conductor connections in three-dimensional (3D), detect defects, and deformations, crucial for GIL’s safe operation and maintenance by identifying and preventing potential failures.