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#134330 11/02/02 12:02 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
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Trumpy Offline OP
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I assist my local Power Company with Line work, putting in new lines, disconnecting old lines(all overhead, 11kV,33kV and 66kV),
Does anyone have any questions about how we do our work?.
Your input please-
[Linked Image]

#134331 11/02/02 02:49 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 118
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Member
Hi there Trumpy
66kV wouldnt be standard where you are would it?

cheers Craig

#134332 11/02/02 05:08 AM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
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I think Aus/NZ adopted British-standard voltages for lines. Much of our local distribution is also 11 and 33kV. We do have some 66kV lines as well, although they're not all that common in most areas.

I understand that in my region there are still a few miles of old 6.6kV lines, although these haven't been a standard for new work for many years.

#134333 11/04/02 01:10 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Trumpy Offline OP
Member
Hi guys,
Unfortunately, voltages are getting higher and higher around this part of the country, this is all because of the big boom in Dairy conversions, for lighting, water pumps, electrode-boiler-type water heaters, you name it, they've got it. This is where a large portion of the energy used in the South Island, goes to. Dairy farms are getting bigger and bigger, with a 1000 cow farm, being a small one.
Power authorities are hoping that this will
bottom out soon, the rush to upgrade already overloaded lines(running at 33kV),up to 66kV.
Just as a note, we normally only use 11kV out in rural areas for the smallest farmlets
(lifestyle blocks).

#134334 11/04/02 05:44 PM
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Same in this part of rural England: There are 33kV feeders coming into the area about 6 miles away, then all the local distribution is 11kV. By the way, our long-distance transmission lines are 132, 275 and 400kV. Got to go quite a distance from my location to see any of those!) Are these also standard transmission levels in NZ?

#134335 11/05/02 02:08 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Trumpy Offline OP
Member
Paul,
Those are strange phase voltages to be using?, our long-distance lines are normally run at 110kV, 220kV , the exception to these voltages, is what we call down here, the DC Link, this runs from the Benmore Dam, in Otago, up to the North Island, it runs at 500kV DC, with a whopping great Rectifier Bank at the Benmore end, I've seen it!.
These wires are all overhead, off pylons,the DC link runs as far inland as possible, to keep people away from it, about a year or so ago, a guy tried to cut one of the pylons down, locally, thank God he never succeeded, that would have been an explosion and a half, it is DC, but it's still referenced to earth.
There has been talk of undergrounding the DC
Link, but it has never eventuated.
Just as a short note, every time our power prices increase in the South Island, there are cries to cut the DC Link to the North Island, Old Appy, Take note.

[This message has been edited by Trumpy (edited 11-07-2002).]

#134336 11/07/02 05:51 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
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Sounds like another Darwin Award candidate for sure! [Linked Image]

Is that DC connector the only power link between the North and South Islands of NZ? If so, would I be right in assuming that the 50Hz grids of each island are not synchronized with each other?

I don't know how the U.K. settled on the distribution and transmission voltages that we have. I'm sure the historical aspects of the choice of voltages in different countries would make for interesting reading. I know that much of the French local distribution is now 20kV.

#134337 11/08/02 01:36 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
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Likes: 3
Trumpy Offline OP
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Paul,
As far as I am aware, this is the only power link between our islands, it consists of 8 submarine cables running across Cook Strait, only 4 are used, the others are spares.
In 1996, a trawler, pulled up one of the cables and damaged it beyond repair(they don't bend too well), the company involved was fined NZ$1.5million.
With regard to synchronisation,I think that they actually are, although I cannot be sure. [Linked Image]

#134338 11/08/02 02:46 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Trumpy Offline OP
Member
Ever seen all of the Gear we use on HV lines?.
We've got Hot gloves, Hot sticks, you name it's all Hot!
We have Two totally different techniques over here for working on live lines.
The first is Live Glove And Barrier work,
the other is Hot Stick work.
Power companies want work done with little
disruption to their networks, it's OK, if you don't have to do the work, eh! [Linked Image]

#134339 11/09/02 04:59 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 118
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Member
Hahaha.. they can cut us loose if they like.
Seriously though, I understand the DC link is only underwater between the islands.
CW

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