Fittings are accessories used to connect and assemble various devices within a power system, serving to transmit mechanical and electrical loads or to provide specific protective functions. In overhead power lines and distribution installations, fittings are primarily used to support, secure, and splice bare conductors; to assemble conductors and insulators into strings; and to protect conductors and insulators. Since tower fittings operate in environments characterized by complex weather conditions and varying degrees of contamination, their resistance to wear, corrosion, and dirt accumulation inevitably impacts their normal operation. Therefore, fittings require periodic inspection and cleaning; any issues identified with the fittings must be detected and addressed in a timely manner.
Maintenance Tasks for OPGW Cable Fittings:
1. Check whether the bolts at the suspension points of the conductors and ground wires are loose or missing.
2. Verify that the cotter pins and spring pins on the insulator strings are all present and intact.
3. Check the insulators for any signs of flashover, cracks, or mechanical damage.
4. Check the vibration dampers for tilting, displacement, or signs of abrasion against the conductor.
5. Check the clamps of the armor rods (protective rods) for looseness or signs of abrasion against the conductor.
6. Inspect the connecting fittings of the insulator strings for corrosion and ensure they are intact.
7. Check the steel cross-arms for corrosion or deformation.
8. Inspect the fittings for corrosion, deformation, burn marks, or cracks; ensure that connecting joints rotate freely. Verify that bolts are securely tightened and that no nuts are missing; check cotter pins for corrosion, breakage, or detachment.
9. Verify that fittings such as vibration dampers, damping wires, and spacer bars show no signs of displacement, deformation, or material fatigue.
10. Check the shielding rings and grading rings to ensure they are neither loose nor deformed; specifically, ensure that the grading rings are not installed in reverse orientation.
11. Verify that the securing fittings for the OPGW cable slack are not detached, and that the splicing fittings are neither loose nor leaking water.
12. Check the OPGW preformed helical clamps for signs of material fatigue or detachment.
13. Inspect the splicing fittings for any external bulging, cracks, burn marks, slippage, or broken strands at the cable exit points.