Transmission Tower Steel Upgrades and Damper Replacements

The multi-year project includes the replacement of phase conductor dampers and the upgrade of the steel body and wing members to remediate known structural deficiencies on approximately 439 double circuit lattice towers on SaskPower’s A1B/A2B, A1Q/A2Q 230 kV transmission lines. The work comprises the supply and installation of steel tower body upgrade kits, overhead shield wire arm (OHSW) upgrade kits, and phase conductor arm upgrade kits as well as the energized replacement of existing torsional conductor dampers with new Mosdorfer phase conductor dampers. Allteck is also responsible for OHSW insulator removal and bonding of the OHSW to the tower structure along with the installation of OHSW spiral dampers.

 The Challenges

• These transmission circuits are two of the main lines in the province of Saskatchewan and require all work to be completed under energized conditions
• Working in Environmentally sensitive areas, on Crown land, and across cultivated fields
• Some structures are located in or in close proximity to wetlands, which require frozen ground conditions and working on ice

Specialized Work Methods

• Barehand Work Procedures utilized for damper replacements
• Bonding/Grounding Procedures for OHSW insulator removal
•  Working on Ice Procedures for several tower sites
•  Maintaining integrity of tower during all steel member replacements