Unknown device in HV transmission installation

[eblc1388]

The picture is taken from a HV outdoor installation somewhere in China. What is the name and purpose of the circled device mounted under the corona shield on top of the bushing?

[bob91343]

Maybe just a warning siren, unrelated to the high frequency stuff.

[NiHaoMike]

Might it be a microwave horn for some sort of wireless sensor?

[f4eru]

could it be an E-line launcher, with the outgoing wire not yet mounted ?
http://corridorsystems.com/FAQ.html

Love High Voltage 
 

[AlbertL]

It appears to be directly connected to the high-voltage line, so I don't think it would be anything like an antenna or sensor that would require power or signal wiring.  My guess is that it's a contact or receptacle for a jumper cable or disconnect/isolating switch.   

[AlbertL]

could it be an E-line launcher, with the outgoing wire not yet mounted ?
http://corridorsystems.com/FAQ.html

Agreed, it sure looks like that's what it is.  Interesting technology - kind of like a Goubau line apparently. 

[NiHaoMike]

It appears to be directly connected to the high-voltage line, so I don't think it would be anything like an antenna or sensor that would require power or signal wiring.

I'm thinking it could be a sensor that's powered by energy harvesting the electromagnetic fields and the wireless link is specifically a way to cross such a large voltage difference.

[eblc1388]

Thanks all for your inputs.

@NiHaoMike,
The picture was captured from a Youtube video mentioning power shortage in China.
Your explanation appears to be the most plausible so far. Judging from the many stacks of HV bushings, the voltage could be 1000KV or higher. The horn of the device seems tilted up at a particular angle to enable the transmission of both power and data to and fro. I believe it is a sensor of some sort, and is powered by incoming microwave energy while also sending back data.

[f4eru]

My guess is that it's a contact or receptacle for a jumper cable or disconnect/isolating switch.

Yep, I agree. It`s clearly part of the power path, that seems to finish here. So it could very well be a half of a disconnect switch, a self centering receptacle, with the other half outside the picture (male contact with moving frame).
The torus on top and bottom is the electrode for catching the arcs when switching.

something like this ?
https://www.gegridsolutions.com/products/brochures/spol_ansi-brochure-en-2019_01-grid-ais-0077.pdf

When  engaging
the  fixed  contact,  the  mobile  arm  enters
the guiding bell

[AlbertL]

My guess is that it's a contact or receptacle for a jumper cable or disconnect/isolating switch.

Yep, I agree. It`s clearly part of the power path, that seems to finish here. So it could very well be a half of a disconnect switch, a self centering receptacle, with the other half outside the picture (male contact with moving frame).
The torus on top and bottom is the electrode for catching the arcs when switching.

something like this ?
https://www.gegridsolutions.com/products/brochures/spol_ansi-brochure-en-2019_01-grid-ais-0077.pdf

When  engaging
the  fixed  contact,  the  mobile  arm  enters
the guiding bell

Yes, the drawing on page 2 which shows the guiding bell, which looks just like the device in the original photo.

[eblc1388]

AlbertL and f4eru,

You've convinced me that the device is part of the disconnecting switch stationary contact. I have re-examined the photo I posted and discovered a similar device at the middle of far right edge. Also in the Youtube video where the screen capture is taken, at time 1:52, a tower is seen at the right of this bushing stacks. It is very likely that the moving contact of the disconnecting switch is connecting the power to an overhead line at a greater height.

Youtube Video: