Conductor cleaning system and method

Abstract

A conductor cleaning system for cleaning aluminum strands of all aluminum and steel reinforced conductors, such as ACSS, ACSR, ACAR, and AAA. The conductor cleaning system having a container adapted to receive a portion of a conductor to be cleaned, a housing adapted to receive and support the container, and a cleaning solution contained in the container for cleaning the portion of the conductor. The cleaning solution being adapted to clean the conductor without reacting with or damaging the conductor.

Description

[0001]This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 357,610 filed on Jan. 22, 2009.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to a conductor cleaning system, and more particularly to a system for cleaning aluminum strands of all aluminum and steel reinforced electrical conductors, such as ACSS, ACSR, ACAR, and AAA.[0003]In current power transmission systems, failures can pose a significant risk to the reliability of the system. There are several factors that contribute to these failures—one such factor is the failure of compression connectors.[0004]Current data suggests that a primary root cause for failures in compression connectors is improper installation. Examples of improper installation include lack of compound, alignment, wrong die, and poor cleaning of the aluminum strands of the conductor prior to installation of compression connectors. Research indicates that corrosion products and other contaminants (result...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]According to one aspect of the present invention, a conductor cleaning system includes a container adapted to receive a portion of a conductor to be cleaned, a housing adapted to receive and support the container, and a cleaning solution contained in the container for cleaning the portion of the conductor. The cleaning solution is adapted to clean the conductor without reacting with or damaging the conductor.

[0010]According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of cleaning an electrical conductor includes providing a conductor cleaning system having a container and an agitator. The method further includes providing a cleaning solution for cleaning of the electrical conductor, introducing the cleaning solution into the container, positioning an electrical conductor in the cleaning solution disposed in the container, and activating the agitator, thereby agitating the cleaning solution and enhancing its ability to clean the electrical conductor.

Problems solved by technology

In current power transmission systems, failures can pose a significant risk to the reliability of the system.

There are several factors that contribute to these failures—one such factor is the failure of compression connectors.

Current data suggests that a primary root cause for failures in compression connectors is improper installation.

Examples of improper installation include lack of compound, alignment, wrong die, and poor cleaning of the aluminum strands of the conductor prior to installation of compression connectors.

Cyclical variations of load current feeding through the increased resistance of the splice-conductor joint causes thermal expansion / contraction that eventually reduces the grip of the splice to a point where it can no longer hold the conductor.

Currently, compression connector installers clean the aluminum strands with a wire brush, which results in ineffective cleaning of the strands, leaving corrosion products and other contaminants behind.

Further, the installer cannot clean internal strands using the wire brush unless the installer takes the time to unstrand the conductor.

Unfortunately, unstranding is impractical in most field conditions and can increase the risk of damage to the individual strands.

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