On November 25, a large heavy-lift drone carrying an X-ray defect detection robot flew toward Tower No. 64 of the 500kV Xibin I Line. This marked the first time State Grid Sichuan Electric Power Company used the innovative combination of “drone + defect detection robot” to test ultra-high voltage transmission lines.

Large Heavy-Lift Drone Arrives at Inspection Point

At 9:30 AM, the operators precisely controlled the drone to fly above the conductor and deploy the robot at the designated location.

With remote operation, the robot moved along the conductor to the tension clamp, initiated an X-ray scan and completed a non-destructive inspection of all fittings on the quad bundle conductor in approximately ten minutes.

X-ray Defect Detection Robot Inspects the Line

The “CT images” captured by the robot were transmitted in real-time to the ground terminal. Operators could clearly determine from the screen whether there were internal damages or cracks in the clamp, thereby eliminating major safety hazards such as wire breakage or drop-offs at their early stages.

Operators Examine Real-Time Images Transmitted by the Robot

It is reported that compared to traditional methods, tasks that previously required five people and three hours can now be completed by just three people in half an hour, increasing per capita efficiency by tenfold. More importantly, this approach completely eliminates the risks associated with high-altitude work, achieving a dual improvement in both safety and efficiency.

This latest technological achievement will be applied to important interregional lines and comprehensive inspections of ultra-high voltage transmission corridors, providing reliable support for the upcoming winter peak electricity demand.