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EDM International, Inc.
4001 Automation Way
Fort Collins, Colorado  80525

Phone:  970.204.4001
Fax:  970.204.4007
Email:  info@edmlink.com

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The Sagometer™ is a second-generation design of a new technology developed for the express purpose of accurately monitoring conductor ground clearance/sag on overhead transmission lines. 

The Sagometer™ provides the information needed to confidently - -

  • Study conductor behavior for the purpose of validating and/or enhancing static rating

  • Establish the dynamic rating for a monitored line

  • Collect data on high-temperature conductor operation

"Smart" Camera Technology aimed down the span at a target attached to a conductor.

 

HOW THE SAGOMETER™ WORKS

    The Sagometer™ unit is typically mounted on one of the supporting structures for the span being monitored.  It is aimed down the span at a target attached to one of the conductors. 

    The Sagometer™ uses “smart” camera technology to capture an image of the target and resolves the x and y coordinates of the target.   At user-defined intervals, the target is located by the Sagometer™, its position is determined and then translated into actual ground clearance.  This information is immediately transmitted  to a datalogger for further processing.

    This innovative approach of using image-processing technology provides a very reliable and robust measure of ground clearance. Using its specially designed illumination system, the Sagometer™ is capable of measuring ground clearance throughout the night as well as during daylight hours, during all but the most inclement weather.  An additional benefit is that the system also monitors the horizontal movement of the conductor.

SAGOMETER™ SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Sagometer System Components

The Sagometer™ is a modular system allowing for various power and communication options:

 

1.     The heart of the system is the “smart” camera that captures the image, locates the target and calculates the ground clearance.  Coupled with the camera, inside the same housing, is a specially designed illumination system so that the camera can see the target during all light conditions – night-time too.

        A proprietary technology is also used within the camera housing to precisely measure any housing rotation, due to structure or housing movement.  Thus, appropriate adjustments can be made to the clearance measurements.  The dimensions of the camera housing are 4˝” diameter by 18” long.

The Sagometer "Smart" Camera

The datalogger and communication hardware are stored in the electronics box. 

2.     A datalogger stores information from the camera and makes it readily available to the user.  The datalogger and communications hardware are housed inside the “electronics” box (12”w x 16”h x 8”d).  Communication options include cellular, RF, satellite and wireless Internet.  Power options include 115V-AC, 12V-DC and a small solar energy package.

 

3.     Power options include both 115V-AC and 12V-DC.  Where AC power is not readily available, a small solar energy package powers the system.

4.     The target the camera tracks is relatively small (approximately 9” x 9”) and attaches to the conductor using a conventional hot-line clamp.  It is a passive device and has been tested for successful operation up to 500kV.

9 in. x 9 in. target attached to a conductor using a hot-line clamp.

INSTALLING THE SAGOMETER™

 Installation takes only 2 to 3 hours; the Sagometer is also portable.                                                     One of the key features that distinguishes the Sagometer™ from other monitoring systems is its ease of installation and portability.  The typical time for complete Sagometer™ install is 2 to 3 hours.  The Sagometer™ can be installed on any kind of structure by simply bolting or banding the different housings directly to the structure. All of the components, with exception of the target, are mounted a safe distance away from the conductors.  Only the target is installed on the conductor itself.  The target is typically installed about 150 feet from the camera using a hot-stick while the line is energized. The camera is mounted at approximately the same elevation as the target.  The electronics and power supply boxes can be located anywhere on the structure that is safe and convenient.

Measurements can be calibrated for use with stand-alone monitoring routines.     

    The only measurement needed for actual Sagometer™ calibration is the conductor-to-ground clearance at the target location.  However, as part of the installation routine, other survey measurements are taken to define the span geometry and wire catenary and to establish ground clearance measurements at other critical points along the span.  These measurements can then be used to calibrate the monitored span for use with a stand-alone monitoring routine.

     Portability and ease of installation make the Sagometer™ a natural for moving it around from span to span or line to line.  As a study tool, a utility can use a single Sagometer™ to monitor the behavior of a variety of different lines.

AVAILABLE ADD-ONS

The Sagometer can be coupled with accurate local weather data through a full complement of weather monitoring instruments.

Weather Sensors

     The Sagometer™ allows for the direct integration of a full complement of weather monitoring instruments.  Coupling clearance/sag data with accurate local weather data provides a powerful analytical tool for line rating.  Typical installations include an ambient temperature probe, a pyranometer for measuring solar radiation, a rain gauge and a high grade anemometer that is capable of accurate low-wind speed measurement. 

    These instruments can either be mounted on the same structure and integrated with the Sagometer™ or placed on a separate 10-meter mast set adjacent to the line.  When installed on the same structure, the datalogger used for recording clearance measurements is also used to record meteorological data.

 

Dynamic Line Rating Tools

      EPRI’s DTCR program can be simply integrated with the Sagometer™ to provide dynamic rating capabilities for monitored lines. 

For PLS-CADD users, a "Line Rating" module is available.

 

     For PLS-CADDTM users, a “Line Rating” module is available that enables the direct integration of Sagometer™-generated clearance data, local current and weather data with PLS-CADD to create an interactive model for analyzing conductor behavior along the monitored line.  Whether used with real-time or historic data, the PLS-CADDTM “Line Rating” module provides the most accurate means for reflecting line behavior beyond the monitored span.  It can be used to help identify critical-clearance spans, to validate static and contingency ratings or it can be run in a real-time mode in the background within an operating environment to provide critical data for establishing maximum operating currents.


The SAGOMETER™ Advantage:


For additional information,
please contact:

 

  • Installs in under 4 hours

  • Installation requires no line outage

  • Measures clearance directly

  • Easily relocated from span to span or line to line

  • Remotely programmable

  • Supports cellular, RF, satellite and wireless internet communications

  • Both 115V AC and 12V DC power options available

  • Measures vertical and horizontal conductor movement

  • Accuracy unaffected by snow and ice accretion

 

EDM International, Inc. 

 

Note: The Sagometer™ was developed by EDM International, Inc. and Southwest Research Institute under the sponsorship of EPRI and the California Energy Commission.  The Sagometer™ is the result of more than five years of development, testing and evaluation at EDM’s lab in Fort Collins CO, at EPRIsolutions’ lab in Lenox MA and over three years of rigorous field-testing on several utility systems across the country.  The technology is proven accurate and the system is robust enough to endure any type of operating environment.

An EPRI-Sponsored Technology

 

   

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: 

EDM International, Inc.
4001 Automation Way
Fort Collins, CO 80525-3479
Phone:  970-204-4001
Fax:  970-204-4007

 

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Copyright 2005.  EDM International, Inc.  All rights reserved.  No graphics, images or text may be reproduced without the written permission of EDM International, Inc