By Queen Kunde
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has successfully carried out critical maintenance on the Zaria–Funtua 132kV transmission line without cutting power supply, in a major boost for electricity reliability.
The four-day operation, which lasted from July 4 to July 7, was carried out by TCN’s specialised Live-Line Maintenance Crew under fully energised conditions, allowing electricity to continue flowing while repairs were in progress.
During the exercise, engineers replaced damaged glass disc insulators on eight transmission towers—T14, T17, T40, T63, T78, T175, T177 and T178. Each of the towers had at least five faulty insulators that could have affected the stability of the transmission line if left unattended.
The damaged components were replaced with a combination of modern polymer and glass disc insulators to improve the strength, safety and reliability of the line.
Unlike conventional maintenance that often requires shutting down transmission lines, the live-line method enabled TCN to complete the repairs without any planned outage, ensuring uninterrupted bulk power supply to electricity distribution companies and consumers throughout the operation.
The successful maintenance exercise highlights TCN’s growing use of modern technology to keep the national grid stable while reducing disruptions to electricity supply. It also reflects the company’s commitment to building a safer, more reliable and efficient transmission network for Nigerians.
Discussion about this post