The 110,000-Volt Transmission Line of Grand Rapids-Muskegon Power Co.

The 110,000-Volt Transmission Line of the

Grand Rapids-Muskegon Power Company.

Considerable interest has been aroused by the 110,000-volt transmission line of the Grand Rapids Power Company which, now that it has been operating satisfactorily for six months, has proved the entire practicability of this voltage for long-distance electric transmission of power.

Fig. 1. - Steel Tower.

Fig. 2. - Steel Tower.

The line, which runs between Grand Rapids and the Croton Dam, Mich., a distance of 50 miles, is carried on triangular steel towers approximately 53 ft. in height over all and 43 ft. 8 in. from the ground to the lowest cross-arm, and designed to give a 40-ft. clearance between the line wire and ground. The towers weigh approximately 1730 lb. each, and provide a minimum spacing between the insulator hangers of 8 ft.; they are placed on large concrete anchors buried in the ground, and are spaced 528 ft. apart on tangents (Figs. 1 and 2). The anchors consist of 3-in, angle steel, 7 ft. 10 in. long, encased in concrete. The anchors each extend about io in. below the bottom of the concrete in which they are encased, thus securing a ground for the transmission line.

Fig. 3. - Disk Insulator.

Fig. 4. - Disk Insulator.

In view of the many troubles experienced by the large majority of companies when first starting a high-tension transmission line using pin insulators, a report made on the operation of this line is of special interest. This report states that "this line has been in operation since July 18 last, and we have experienced no trouble whatever. Nothing of an unusual nature has occurred and we consider its operation as very satisfactory and successful."

The majority of the right of way is located along the highways, and only a tower right was taken. Where the line passes through forests or makes short cuts across country, a strip of land was purchased, varying in width from 33 ft. to 66 ft., according to circumstances. This land is usually fenced off. No protection whatever is used where the lines cross highways or traffic routes.

Fig. 5. - Croton Dam Power Station.

The insulators are of the standard General Electric disk pattern, the suspension type being used for a straight support and the strain type for pull-off curves. Five of these 10-in. disks are used in series, the arrangement being very clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Each disk is rated at 25,000 volts.

The line transmits 10,000 kw, the conductors consisting of No. 2 stranded, hard-drawn copper wire with hemp center. The lines are spaced 8 ft. apart and are entirely without transposition throughout the whole length. No guard wire is used. The lines are brought into the stations through porcelain insulators and are connected directly to the high-tension transformers, which are delta-connected on both sides. There are no switches of any kind in the lines, the control being by means of generator field switches.

Fig. 6. - Croton Dam Power Station.

The pressure was first applied to the transmission line on July 18, 1908, and it was noticed that the line was a little noisy at the working pressure of 110,000 volts, while at night the atmospheric discharge was distinctly visible. Wattmeter ratings on the empty line, after deducting the core losses of the step-up transformers, seemed to indicate a constant loss on the 50 miles of line of from 20 to 25 kw.

Other interesting features of the line are shown in Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive.