Capacitive icing measurement in a 220 kV overhead power line environment

Icing of high-voltage overhead power lines can affect the safe operation of the power distribution grid due to the additional weight load of the accumulated ice layer. Monitoring and predicting of icing enable its removal at an early stage. In this paper, we present the first field test results of a capacitive icing detector powered by a capacitive energy harvester on a 220 kV overhead power line. Reference data collection was performed by a weather camera system. The field test was carried out in winter 2009/2010 on a 220 kV overhead power line. Several icing and snow deposition events have been detected.