FAQ

FAQ

Your immediate priority is safety. If you see a downed power line, you should:

  1. Stay Back: Maintain a distance of at least 10 meters (33 feet), which is roughly the length of a city bus. Do not approach the line or anything it is touching.

  2. Warn Others: Instruct anyone nearby to stay away from the area.

  3. Call for Help: Immediately call local emergency services (e.g., 911) and your local power utility company to report the downed line and its exact location.

If you are inside a vehicle that has a power line on it, do not get out. The car acts as a protective cage. The safest course of action is to:

  1. Stay Inside: Call emergency services and the power company immediately and wait for help to arrive. Warn anyone approaching to stay away.

  2. Only Exit as a Last Resort: If the vehicle is on fire, you must exit. To do so safely, open the door, jump completely clear of the vehicle without touching the car and the ground at the same time. Land with your feet together, then shuffle or hop away with your feet touching each other until you are at least 10 meters away. This shuffling motion prevents a deadly electric shock from "step potential."

While our company, Ningbo Changshi Electric Power Machinery Manufacturing Limited, manufactures the equipment used to prevent these issues in the first place, such as overhead transmission line equipment and underground cable laying equipment, it's crucial for everyone to understand these safety protocols in the rare event of an incident.

The electrical grid is segmented into different voltage levels to efficiently transmit and distribute power. These levels are generally categorized as follows:

  • Low Voltage (LV): Typically below 1,000 volts (1 kV). This is the final stage of power delivery, supplying electricity directly to homes and small businesses. The voltage is reduced to common household levels, such as 120 V or 230 V.

  • Medium Voltage (MV): Ranging from 1 kV to 69 kV. These lines are part of the local distribution network, carrying electricity from substations to smaller transformers in neighborhoods and industrial areas.

  • High Voltage (HV) and Extra High Voltage (EHV): Starting from 69 kV and going up to 800 kV or more. These are the large transmission lines, often supported by tall steel lattice towers, that transport electricity over long distances from power plants to major substations.

High voltage is used for long-distance transmission to minimize energy loss. As a manufacturer of overhead transmission line equipment and underground cable laying equipment, we know that power loss is directly related to the current flowing through a line. By increasing the voltage, the current can be significantly reduced while still transmitting the same amount of power. This makes the long-distance transport of electricity much more efficient and cost-effective. The voltage is then "stepped down" at substations closer to consumers, using transformers to bring it to a safe and usable level for homes and businesses.
Power Line Carrier Communication (PLCC) is a cost-effective and reliable technology that uses existing electrical power lines as a medium for transmitting high-frequency data signals. It works by superimposing a high-frequency carrier signal onto the low-frequency power signal (typically 50/60 Hz). This allows data, control information, and voice signals to be transmitted between substations and power equipment without the need for a separate communication network. Key components include line traps, coupling capacitors, and PLCC terminals (transmitters and receivers) that inject and extract the communication signal. Our company, Ningbo Changshi, provides a wide range of OHTL equipment and tools that are essential for setting up and maintaining PLCC systems, ensuring seamless integration into the power grid.

PLC is a foundational technology for modernizing power grids. Its primary applications include:

  • Teleprotection: High-speed communication for protective relaying to ensure the safety and stability of the grid.

  • SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition): Remote monitoring, control, and data acquisition for power lines and substations.

  • Smart Grid and Smart Metering: Enabling two-way communication for real-time monitoring of energy consumption, load control, and other smart grid functions.

  • Load Management: Communication for controlling and managing power loads remotely.

We offer comprehensive one-stop supply and services for overhead transmission line (OHTL) and underground cable laying equipment that support these critical applications.


Question 3: What are the main advantages of using PLC for power line communication compared to other methods?

PLCC offers significant advantages, making it a preferred choice for power system communication:

  • Cost-Effectiveness: It leverages existing power lines, eliminating the need for expensive new cable infrastructure.

  • Reliability: It is a robust system that can operate in harsh environmental conditions and over long distances.

  • Wide Coverage: Communication can reach remote areas where other technologies might not be available or feasible.

  • Enhanced Security: Data can be transmitted over a secure, dedicated power line channel.

As a leading manufacturer of power line tools and equipment, Ningbo Changshi ensures our products are compatible with the latest PLCC technologies to maximize these benefits for our customers.

The PLC market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the expansion of smart grids and the Internet of Things (IoT). Emerging trends include:

  • Broadband PLC: Increasing data rates to support higher bandwidth applications like video surveillance and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI).

  • Integration with 5G and IoT: Combining PLC with other technologies to create more comprehensive and resilient communication networks.

  • Enhanced Security and Noise Immunity: Developing more robust devices with advanced noise cancellation techniques and security protocols to ensure reliable data transmission.

  • Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging: Using PLC for smart communication between EVs and charging stations.

Our continuous focus on manufacturing high-quality, reliable equipment ensures we are at the forefront of these industry developments, providing the tools and services needed for the next generation of power infrastructure.

A power line conditioner, also known as a line conditioner, is a device designed to improve the quality of the electrical power supplied to sensitive equipment. It acts as a protective barrier, regulating voltage fluctuations, filtering out electrical noise (EMI/RFI), and suppressing surges and spikes. The primary goal is to ensure a "clean" and stable power supply, which is crucial for the optimal performance and longevity of connected devices.
While both devices offer protection, they address different types of power issues. A surge protector's main function is to divert sudden, high-voltage spikes (like those from a lightning strike or a power grid switch) away from your equipment. In contrast, a power line conditioner provides more comprehensive protection. It not only includes basic surge protection but also actively regulates voltage levels and, most importantly, filters out continuous electrical noise and interference that can degrade performance over time. Think of a surge protector as a single-purpose shield against extreme events, while a power conditioner is a constant guard that cleans and stabilizes the power flow.
A UPS and a power conditioner serve different core purposes, but their functions can overlap. A UPS is primarily a backup power source that provides temporary battery power during a complete outage, allowing for a safe shutdown of equipment. While many UPS systems offer some level of power conditioning and surge protection, they may not be as robust in filtering out electrical noise. A power conditioner, on the other hand, focuses exclusively on delivering clean, stable power but does not provide battery backup. For mission-critical equipment that requires both clean power and uninterrupted operation during an outage, a combination of both a power conditioner and a UPS is often recommended.

Answer: The benefits are significant, especially for sensitive and valuable equipment:

  • Protection for Sensitive Equipment: It safeguards electronics from damage caused by voltage sags, swells, spikes, and brownouts.

  • Improved Performance: By eliminating electrical noise and interference, it ensures equipment operates at peak efficiency without glitches or data corruption. This is particularly important for audio-visual and medical equipment.

  • Extended Equipment Lifespan: A consistent and clean power supply reduces stress on internal components, preventing premature wear and tear.

  • Increased Reliability: It minimizes the risk of operational interruptions and system downtime caused by unstable power, which is a common issue in areas with unstable grids.

An overhead linesman, also known as a lineworker, is a highly skilled tradesperson responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of the power lines and infrastructure that deliver electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. They work on overhead transmission and distribution lines, often at great heights on utility poles and towers, to ensure a continuous and safe flow of electrical power. Their job is critical for modern society and requires a comprehensive understanding of electrical systems, specialized tools, and strict safety protocols.

The primary duties of an overhead linesman include:

  • Installation: Erecting utility poles and towers, and stringing new wire cables and conductors.

  • Maintenance & Repair: Performing routine inspections, troubleshooting, and repairing damaged lines, insulators, transformers, and other equipment.

  • Emergency Response: Responding to power outages caused by severe weather or accidents to quickly restore service.

  • Safety: Adhering to rigorous safety standards, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and specialized tools, to safely work with high-voltage electricity.

Our company, Ningbo Changshi Electric Power Machinery Manufacturing Limited, specializes in providing the precise tools and equipment, such as tension stringing equipment and specialized hand tools, that linesmen use to perform these critical tasks safely and efficiently.

Working on energized (live) power lines is a highly specialized and dangerous task known as "hotline work." To perform this, linesmen must use specific techniques and equipment to protect themselves from electric shock. One common method, called "bare-hand work," involves the linesman wearing a special conductive suit and being raised by an insulated boom truck to the same electrical potential as the live line. This prevents electricity from flowing through their body. Specialized tools and equipment are also used to insulate workers from the ground and other energized parts. The safety of these operations is paramount, and it is a testament to the extensive training and professional-grade equipment that linesmen rely on every day.
While both professions involve electricity, they operate on different parts of the electrical system. A linesman works "outside" on the high-voltage transmission and distribution lines that carry power from generating stations to a home or business. Their work is typically done outdoors, often at heights, and involves large-scale infrastructure like poles and towers. An electrician, on the other hand, works "inside" on the wiring and electrical systems within buildings and structures, typically on lower voltage systems. Our company's equipment is specifically designed for the demanding work of linesmen on overhead and underground power lines, not for indoor electrical installations.
Fire safety is a top priority. Our equipment is designed to facilitate the use of fire-retardant and fireproof cables, which are critical for preventing the spread of fire. The organized laying of cables on cable trays and ladders—a method we provide equipment for—also helps to separate cable groups and install fire barriers, isolating potential hazards. We also advocate for and supply tools that support adherence to international standards like IEC 60332, which specifies requirements for vertical flame spread.

Professional Answer: Disruptive critical voltage (Vc) is the minimum phase-to-neutral voltage at which the air surrounding an overhead power line conductor begins to ionize. When this voltage is exceeded, the electric field strength at the conductor's surface becomes powerful enough to break down the air's insulating properties, leading to a phenomenon known as corona discharge. This discharge is characterized by a faint violet glow, a hissing sound, and the production of ozone gas.

The formula for disruptive critical voltage is: Where:

  • mo is the surface irregularity factor.

  • δ is the air density correction factor (affected by temperature and pressure).

  • go is the dielectric strength of air (approximately 30 kV/cm peak).

  • r is the radius of the conductor.

  • d is the distance between conductors.

As a leading manufacturer, we provide a complete suite of equipment to ensure safe and efficient cable installation. Our product range includes:

  • Cable Pulling Winches: Powerful winches for pulling heavy cables through ducts and trenches.

  • Cable Rollers and Sheaves: Essential for guiding cables and reducing friction during both overhead and underground laying.

  • Cable Drum Jacks and Stands: Hydraulic and mechanical stands for safely handling and uncoiling heavy cable drums.

  • Conductor Stringing Equipment: This includes tensioners and pullers, which are often adapted for the high-voltage cable installation required in and around power plants.

By using the right tools, our customers can significantly improve the speed, safety, and reliability of their cable laying projects in generating stations.

Professional Answer: While often confused, disruptive critical voltage (Vc) and visual critical voltage (Vv) refer to two distinct stages of the corona effect.

  • Disruptive Critical Voltage (): The theoretical minimum voltage at which the ionization of air begins near the conductor surface. At this stage, the corona is not yet visually apparent, but can be detected by a hissing sound and ozone production.

  • Visual Critical Voltage (): The slightly higher voltage at which the corona becomes visible as a faint, uniform glow along the length of the conductor. The visual effect requires a higher level of ionization and energy, which is why it occurs at a voltage greater than Vc.

To minimize corona effects, our high-quality stringing equipment and tools are designed to facilitate the installation of conductors that optimize spacing and tension, thereby helping to maintain the line's operating voltage below its critical thresholds.

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