Abstract: A three-phase transmission line braced post assembly and a circuit tower including the same are provided. A three-phase transmission line braced post assembly includes: a pair of first post insulators; a pair of suspension insulators; a first connector connecting one of the first post insulators to one of the first suspension insulators; a second connector connecting the other of the first post insulators to the other of the first suspension insulators; a second post insulator connected to the second connector; a second suspension insulator connected to the first connector; and a third connector connecting the second post insulator to the second suspension insulator, the first connector, the second connector, and the third connector being configured to respectively support a first conductor, a second conductor, and a third conductor to have a triangular configuration.

Abstract: A dynamic real time transmission line monitor, a dynamic real time transmission line monitoring system, and a method of dynamic real time transmission line monitoring. A dynamic real time transmission line monitor includes a housing installable on a transmission line, the housing including a base portion, and a cover portion coupled to the base portion and defining a cavity of the housing together with the base portion; a sensor configured to sense in real time at least one of a temperature, a position, a current, an acceleration, a vibration, a tilt, a roll, or a distance to a nearest object; and an antenna in the cavity of the housing and configured to transmit a signal including information sensed by the sensor away from the monitor in real time.

Abstract: A dropped conductor sensor includes a housing installable on a first conductor; a sensor supported in the housing and configured to sense in real time at least one of an acceleration, a vibration, a tilt, a roll, or an angular displacement of the dropped conductor sensor; and an antenna in the housing, the antenna configured to transmit a signal including information sensed by the sensor away from the dropped conductor sensor in real time. A monitoring system including a dropped conductor sensor, and a method of monitoring a conductor using a dropped conductor sensor are also provided.

Abstract: A dynamic real time transmission line monitor, a dynamic real time transmission line monitoring system, and a method of dynamic real time transmission line monitoring. A dynamic real time transmission line monitor includes a housing installable on a transmission line, the housing including a base portion, and a cover portion coupled to the base portion and defining a cavity of the housing together with the base portion; a sensor configured to sense in real time at least one of a temperature, a position, a current, an acceleration, a vibration, a tilt, a roll, or a distance to a nearest object; and an antenna in the cavity of the housing and configured to transmit a signal including information sensed by the sensor away from the monitor in real time.

Abstract: An apparatus for helicopter erection of an emergency restoration structure, and a method of helicopter erection of an emergency restoration structure using the same are provided. An apparatus for helicopter erection of an emergency restoration structure includes a first alignment frame portion attachable to a first section of an emergency restoration structure; a second alignment frame portion attachable to a second section of the emergency restoration structure; an alignment portion arranged on at least one of the first alignment frame portion and the second alignment frame portion; and a hook configured to receive a portion of at least one of the first alignment frame portion and the second alignment frame portion.

Abstract: A dynamic real time transmission line monitor, a dynamic real time transmission line monitoring system, and a method of dynamic real time transmission line monitoring. A dynamic real time transmission line monitor includes a housing installable on a transmission line, the housing including a base portion, and a cover portion coupled to the base portion and defining a cavity of the housing together with the base portion; a sensor configured to sense in real time at least one of a temperature, a position, a current, an acceleration, a vibration, a tilt, a roll, or a distance to a nearest object; and an antenna in the cavity of the housing and configured to transmit a signal including information sensed by the sensor away from the monitor in real time.

Abstract: A power supply generated through a set of current transformers is disclosed. The current transformers may be removably attached to a primary power line such as a high voltage power line. The power supply may be used to power a device or charge a battery for a device that requires a low voltage input. The power supply may be used in underground vaults and pad mounted chambers that contain high voltage power lines. The power supply may generate a low voltage direct current out put that is not available in the vicinity of high voltage power lines in an underground vault or pad mounted chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus providing a permanent pole step and/or attachment mount for removable steps, accessories or equipment for hollow poles that is practical and economical to use, and that provides a substantially horizontal step or mounting surface that does not rotate and that extends only a limited distance from the hollow pole. A pole step having a support member and a mating plate, where a portion of the support member is inserted into a mounting hole of the pole and the remaining portion of the support member protrudes out of the hole to create a stepping surface. The plate has a tongue which mates with the support member in the mounting hole to secure the support member. An attachment mount for attaching temporary steps, equipment or accessories to a hollow pole, having a support member, a mating plate and a guide washer. The plate receives the support member, and the tongue which mates with the support member in the mounting hole to secure it in place.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring at least one characteristic of a power line supported by a power line pole includes a pin having a first end coupled to the pole and a second end adapted to engage a sensor, wherein the sensor measures at least one characteristic of the power line and an insulator coupled to the second end of the pin supports the power line. The close proximity of the sensing element to the conductor immerses the sensor in the strong magnetic field close to the current carrying conductor to provide low cost accurate current measurement capability.

Abstract: An apparatus providing a permanent pole step and/or attachment mount for removable steps, accessories or equipment for hollow poles that is practical and economical to use, and that provides a substantially horizontal step or mounting surface that does not rotate and that extends only a limited distance from the hollow pole.

Abstract: An integrated electrical system includes a first conductor for receiving current from power lines or other equipment. The conductor is coupled to a conventional vacuum switch for controlling flow of current through the system. A current collector coupled to the vacuum switch collects current from the vacuum switch. A second conductor coupled to the current collector delivers current to equipment or lines externally of the device. The components of the system are housed within an inner epoxy encapsulated within Polysil. The epoxy preferably has temperature characteristics which are similar to that of Polysil to prevent cracking due to temperature stress. At least one sensor may also be provided integrally with the components for detecting faults or for sensing general power line conditions. A preferred voltage sensor has resistive shielding for accurate sensing in adverse environments.

Abstract: An integrated electrical system includes a first conductor for receiving current from power lines or other equipment. The conductor is coupled to a conventional vacuum switch for controlling flow of current through the system. A current collector coupled to the vacuum switch collects current from the vacuum switch. A second conductor coupled to the current collector delivers current to equipment or lines externally of the device. The components of the system are housed within an inner epoxy encapsulated within Polysil. The epoxy preferably has temperature characteristics which are similar to that of Polysil to prevent cracking due to temperature stress. At least one sensor may also be provided integrally with the components for detecting faults or for sensing general power line conditions. A preferred voltage sensor has resistive shielding for accurate sensing in adverse environments.

Abstract: An interrupter assembly comprises an interrupter switch and at least one condition sensing device embedded within a body of solid dielectric material. Preferably, the solid dielectric material is a polymer concrete or an epoxy-concrete. The condition sensing device may comprise a current sensor and/or a voltage sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a kit of low cost, light weight, corrosion resistant components, including a plurality of extruded members, certain ones of which components are factory preassembled into climbable and unclimbable tower units selected one of which are adapted to be rigidly connected end-to-end by overlapping couplings into a tower at an installation site to support a power line or other load. The couplings and the overlapping surfaces of the tower units have teeth that mesh to lock the couplings in place. The tower is specially suitable for erection in confined areas to heights in excess of one hundred feet to support power conductors. A number of components are selectively attachable to the tower in a wide variety of ways to support high tension insulators in suspension and/or cantilever fashion and to anchor guy cabling to the tower.

Abstract: A line condition sensing device, e.g. a current transformer and/or a voltage transformer, is embedded in a pole mounted, power line supporting insulator to form an integral unit therewith. One end of the insulator carries a pole mounting base. The other end of the insulator carries a power line receiving clamp. The line condition sensing device is connected in parallel with a hot power line by taps to permit conditions to be monitored without cutting or dead ending the line. The device is installed on a hot line by opening the power line receiving clamp of the original insulator, holding the power line in spaced relationship from the original insulator while replacing it with the new insulator, resecuring the power line on the clamp of the new insulator, and then connecting the taps to the hot power line.

Abstract: A temporary power line tower assembly and method of installing the same to serve emergency needs in restoring power service when a permanent tower is damaged or in need of repair. The temporary tower assembly includes a plurality of prefabricated sections the base section of which incorporates a gimbal joint and a rotary joint axially of the base section and normal to the gimbal axes at their point of intersection. The base section is provided with a lockout device operable to restrain all pivotal movement about the three pivot axes of the gimbal and the rotary joints to permit storage, transit and handling of the base section without risk of damage or injury to personnel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a kit of curvilinear duct components and a method of utilizing the same to provide an improved mode of simultaneously installing and protecting multiple electrical cables in underground duct installations. The components include tubular elbow members, a major portion of at least some of which are of D-shape in cross section and having a major internal width at least as great as the combined diameters of multiple cables to safeguard against cable jamming during installation and which portion converges at one end to a circular shape matable with adjacent linear ducting. The curvilinear components are formed of impervious, electrically nonconductive, abrasion resistant material, such as polymer, concrete or glass filled thermosetting plastic.

Abstract: A combined strain insulator and arcing horn assembly. The arcing horns comprise a pair of rods having V-shaped outer ends criss crossing one another along one lateral side of the insulator and arranged to form multiple self-extinguishing wiring gaps emanating from the common gap between the spaced apart apexes thereof. The assembly is eminently suited for installation vertically, horizontally or in an inclined position. The hardware components are identical and integral except for fasteners.

Abstract: Provided by this invention is an instruction and training kit of modular components readily interconnectible in a variety of ways without tools or fasteners for use in conducting feasibility studies of different modes of erecting power line supports while a damaged permanent tower is being serviced. The kit consists of a multiplicity of miniature components made roughly to scale to simulate full scale components designed for assembly and temporary installation to support high potential conductors. All components, including the baseboard, are compactly storable when not in use.

Abstract: Stringing block threading apparatus for use in uncoupling a junction in a conductor hauling line and inserting a threading loop therein previously assembled through the throat of a stringing block. The hauling line is advanced along power line towers by a helicopter and the advance sections of this line are separably joined by a double ended coupling. This coupling is deposited into the threading apparatus atop each tower where it is automatically disconnected from the hauling line allowing enlargements on the released section ends to separate and become trapped in respective mating couplings at the opposite ends of the threading loop and the leading one of which is of the same double ended construction as the one deposited in the threading apparatus by helicopter. This coupling is deposited in the next threading apparatus for a repeat threading operation.