Multi-pronged strategy weaves tight safety net to prevent damage to transmission lines in Xuchang, C China's Henan

Maintenance crews from State Grid Xuchang Power Supply Company promptly identified and resolved a potential hazard beneath the 110 kV Hao-Ge transmission line between towers 18 and 19, where steel pipes were being lifted directly under the wires, on November 19, 2025. The team executed a closed-loop response—from risk detection and on-site intervention to complete hazard elimination—effectively preventing an outage that could have been triggered by construction machinery and ensuring the continued safe operation of the transmission line.

To systematically prevent damage to transmission lines from construction equipment, the company follows a principle of “prevention first, combined with control.” Before the peak construction season, it thoroughly surveys all local construction projects and maintains a dynamically updated project list. Patrol frequency is increased at key construction sites, and projects using cranes or other large machinery are required to submit equipment operating-radius diagrams in advance, along with detailed information such as work schedules and scope. Specialists also provide training to project managers and equipment operators, distribute the “Transmission Line External Damage Prevention Handbook,” explain key safety precautions for working near power lines, issue “Safety Hazard Correction Notices,” and sign safety agreements with each contractor. These measures help eliminate unsafe practices at the source, raise safety awareness among workers, and establish a dual-layered protection system combining supervision and education.

The company also enhances protection with technical measures. It installs guardrails and warning signs at fixed work sites and deploys AI-enabled surveillance cameras capable of automatically identifying risk sources such as cranes, excavators, over-height vehicles, and other construction machinery. When a threat is detected, the system triggers an alert, prompting maintenance staff to immediately visit the site, assess the situation, and record details such as the time, location, response actions, and follow-up status. By analyzing data from high-risk and high-activity zones, the company further refines damage prevention tactics for various risk scenarios, ensuring all measures are practical and effective.

In addition to regular manual inspections and periodic drone patrols, Xuchang Power Supply Company has established a multi-dimensional, round-the-clock prevention system. This integrated approach significantly improves the efficiency of detecting and locating external risks, strengthens the resilience of transmission lines, and builds a solid defense for the secure and stable operation of the power grid. (Jiao Yongsheng , Zhang Jingyang)