Conductor corrosion inspection of aluminum conductor steel reinforced transmission lines

A feasibility study was completed in 2003 to determine if iron oxide deposits can be identified on the surface of ACSR conductors. Results were promising and demonstrated that the presence of steel core corrosion may be identified by a ratio of reflected light intensity at specific wavelengths. Early “Near Infrared Spectroscopy” testing in a semi-controlled environment and in the field revealed many environmental conditions must be overcome in order to gather accurate reflectance light spectra. The latest design change was to add a monochromatic light source to overcome varying ambient light intensity during testing. Conductors that had been gathered from field testing were evaluated using a standard NIR spectrometer assembly and then compared to the results using a laser light source. This report presents the findings confirming the stages of development to date and what is required to proceed in future development.