Research on a rail-robot based remote three-dimensional inspection system for switch stations in power distribution network

Abstract

There are a large number of switch stations that are discretely distributed in the power distribution network. Traditional inspection methods cannot detect heating hazards and partial discharge inside the switchgear in time, and cannot accurately identify the operation conditions of the switchgear. It lacks effective means to manage switch station equipment. This paper designs a rail-robot based remote three-dimensional inspection system for switch stations. Remote automatic inspection of the switchgear and real-time monitoring of the switch station environment are achieved by providing an infrared window on the switchgear and mounting a rail-robot equipped with an infrared thermal imager and an ultrasonic partial discharge detector outside the switchgear. Further, video analysis technologies are used in the system to identify operation conditions of switch station equipment, which together with fault alarming, event linkage action and other functions. It is conducive to the monitoring and management of the switch station, thus improving the security and reliability of the switch stations.