Page 41 - CARILEC CE Industry Journal_Oct_2019

TOTALLY INSULATED The new designs combine insulators assembled together
FRAMING DESIGNS in innovative new configurations to perform not only the
TM
insulation function of the structure but also the
mechanical cross-arm function. The typical existing
In addition to resolving the live line tool issues there was cross-arm designs are illustrated in shadow form in Fig.
a need to replace the existing defective cross-arms with 6 while the new replacement TIF designs are
more robust designs and materials. It was also superimposed upon them.
determined that substituting a lightweight (Fig. 5) and
modular system for the conventional cross-arm design
would more easily promote the use of safe and efficient
replacement work methods.

Distribution TIF Transmission TIF
Fig. 6 - Totally Insulated Framing Designs
TM
The silicone insulators used in all of these applications
utilize a proprietary material formulation that has proven
to perform successfully in many environments over the
last thirty four years. Tests, field installation and other
studies demonstrate that this silicone material can be
expected to perform effectively for many more years.

TIF H-Frame and Tri-Frame systems maintain standard
horizontal and vertical conductor spacing and clearances
Fig. 5 - Lightweight Characterisitics of the TIF Designs
based on the voltage and span length of each particular
application. They are adaptable when replacing any
three phase line cross-arm framing. TIF designs offer
The TIF systems introduced in this paper will provide major cost reduction opportunities over traditional line
the advantages required to overcome the current framing designs due to large savings in required assembly and
design issues. In addition to this, it will be demonstrated set-up labour.
that the TIF designs offer other much desired
advantages such as increased cross-arm life, improved Distribution Line TIF Systems
safety performance, increased vertical ground clearance,
use of shorter poles, increased power line operating An installation of the TIF Distribution Tri-Frame
capacity and reduced Right-Of-Way (ROW) width assembly is shown in Fig. 7. Because this TIF system is
requirements. factory assembled, it needs only to be hoisted to its
attachment point on the pole and bolted in.
The transmission TIF allows the use of overhead ground
wires, while lightning arresters can also be used on both
the distribution and transmission TIF systems. These
support systems are designed to protect wildlife by
resisting bird nesting and bridging from energized lines
to conductive metal or groundedcross-arms. TIF also
avoids vandalism such as is normally associated with
glass and porcelain insulators [2].

The Tri-Frame configurations for Distribution Lines are
factory assembled in one piece framing arrangements. Fig. 7 - Distribution TIF Tri-Frame Installation
An analysis of these new designs demonstrates their Trial installations of the newly introduced distribution
value in the replacement of typical existing cross-arm TIF Tri-Frame design were conducted at a training
designs. A review of the TIF Systems for Transmission school belonging to one of the utilities in the Canadian
Lines illustrates their technical advantages when used to province of Alberta. About twenty line staff from a half
replace common H-Frame, Gulfport and other similar dozen utilities in Alberta and others attended the
utility pole and cross-arm framings using either demonstration.
de-energized or live line or work methods.

CE INDUSTRY Journal 39