By: Kendall Smith, Induron Power Market Manager
It has been encouraging in recent years to see attention given to electric utility transmission and substation assets (T&D)–especially in regard to recently published standards. At several recent conferences, specifiers and engineers have dedicated presentations to T&D Asset Protection Programs, with many advancements in the areas of software now used for assessment, drones used to conduct inspection programs, published standards on how to build and manage these programs, increased requirements for certified AMPP CIP inspection, etc.
These advancements are particularly important in the small coating sub-market of coating aged T&D structures. The usual Good Painting Practice followed in other markets is challenged by a few different realities, such as the difficulty and dangers of climbing and working without platforms, creating the reality of cleaning, surface preparation, and coatings application in less than ideal conditions.
For example, the American Galvanizing Association AGA published a “Guide To Preparing Hot Dip Galvanized Steel For Painting,” which is full of excellent advice for painting “fully aged” galvanizing! However, about 90 percent of the advice is nearly logistically impossible 200 feet in the air or would make the project so expensive as to drastically limit the number of structures that you could fit into your budget! Plus, taking an energized line out of service to clean and paint is logistically very difficult these days, as the demand for electricity is higher than ever! This makes many of the procedures AGA suggests nearly impossible. Grinding, filing, alkaline cleaners, reducing water soluble salts/chlorides, or especially brush or sweep blasting at a 30-60 degree angle is not likely to ever happen, as good as that would be for the future performance of the coating system.
For these reasons, coatings that perform very basic functions have emerged over the past few decades. They are outside the “normal” evaluation parameters of accelerated weathering test data or extreme adhesion. In fact, if a utility bases coatings selection on tests like these, the results will lead them to coatings that will not work well in the conditions outlined above.
The reality is that coatings formulated as the best possible barrier coatings (over zinc carbonate) with excellent wetting and high build have proven to give the coatings in this market segment a better chance to perform to their maximum. So, surface tolerance is extremely important, as well as very low stress (overcoating) on existing aged coatings. This type of coating is normally not the more recent technology resins, but rather much older resin systems used for hundreds of years, such as linseed oil.
Given all of the above information, this makes it extremely important for the tower coating itself to be formulated correctly, to give the owner the best possible result given that almost none of the abrasive blasting, power tool cleaning, chloride mediation, and cleaning off of organic contaminants will likely ever happen! In order for this to happen, case histories, performance histories, and a good reputation with those in the business are very important. Surface tolerant overcoating can be risky, but you now at least have the tools to require proper selection of specified coatings, certified inspection, and a company that will stand behind what they tell you!
Ensure Your Power Grid’s Reliability with Induron’s Specialized Coatings
Induron specializes in coatings for these T&D structures and understands their unique needs. Our flagship product, Induraguard 9200, is a long-lasting coating designed for energized towers, providing protection against corrosion in various environments. We develop customized coating programs and train utility workers to identify corrosion, taking a proactive approach to extend the grid’s life and ensure reliable power delivery. Induron supports utilities in maintaining their existing grid while integrating green energy, ensuring reliable power for communities and industries.
Contact us to learn more about The Induron Process for protecting the power grid for reliable energy delivery.