Whole process analysis for non-uniform ice shedding of transmission lines

A finite element model of a three-spans transmission lines system was built with the help of ANSYS. The form-finding of cables was completed, and the dynamic characteristics pre- and post-ice-shedding were discussed. The whole process analysis for non-uniform ice-shedding of transmission lines was realized by simulating the steady response during icing, as well as the transient and the steady response after ice-shedding. The study illustrates that the static equilibrium-based form-finding method is efficient, and the eigen frequencies of the system are of little change while icing. The maximum tensions of the cable and the insulator string increase to 3.9 and 4 times of the initial ones respectively when the ice thickness raises up to 30 mm. The influence of the non-uniform ice-shedding on the cable tension can be ignored, while it enlarges the insulator string's tension significantly and produces an unbalanced tension with a transient magnitude of 2 times of the cable's initial tension, threatening the transmission towers.