Active electrostatic wildlife guard for electrical power distribution equipment
Provided is an apparatus for wildlife deterrence on a high voltage conductor. The apparatus includes an electrical insulator including an electrically insulating material without a conductive material. The electrical insulator includes a first surface, a second surface that is opposite the first surface, a first edge that is between the first surface and the second surface, an intersection between the first edge and the first and second surfaces defining outer edges of the first and second surfaces, respectively, and a second edge that is opposite the first edge and that is between the first surface and the second surface, an intersection between the second edge and the first and second surfaces defining interior edges of the first and second surfaces, respectively. The apparatus further includes an electrical conductor that is arranged on the first surface of the electrical insulator and is spaced apart from the second edge.
1. An apparatus for wildlife deterrence on a high voltage conductor, the apparatus comprising:
an electrical insulator including an electrically insulating material without a conductive material, the electrical insulator comprising:
a first surface;
a second surface that is opposite the first surface;
a first edge that is between the first surface and the second surface, the first edge and the first and second surfaces defining outer edges of the first and second surfaces, respectively; and
a second edge that is opposite the first edge and that is between the first surface and the second surface, the second edge and the first and second surfaces defining interior edges of the first and second surfaces, respectively;
a third edge that is between a proximal end of the first edge and a proximal end of the second edge and that is between the first surface and the second surface;
a fourth edge that is between a distal end of the first edge and a distal end of the second edge and that is between the first surface and the second surface;
a central opening defined in the electrical insulator including through the first and second surfaces; and
a gap defined by the third edge and the fourth edge that communicates with the central opening;
an electrical conductor that is arranged on the first surface of the electrical insulator and is spaced apart from each of the first edge and the second edge, wherein the electrical conductor extends continuously from the third edge to the fourth edge.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the interior edges of the electrical insulator define the central opening that is configured to receive the high voltage conductor.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the electrical insulator is substantially planar.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the electrical insulator is substantially non-planar.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first edge defines a first shape that includes a circular and/or polygonal shape.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the first edge defines a first shape, and
wherein the electrical conductor that is arranged on the first surface of the electrical insulator includes a second shape that is the same as the first shape.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a clamping component that is attached to the electrical insulator proximate the interior edges of the first and second surfaces and that engages the high voltage conductor to maintain a position of the electrical insulator relative to the high voltage conductor.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 ,
wherein the third edge is configured to overlap the first surface and the second edge is configured to overlap the second surface, and
wherein the first surface is proximate the second surface in a portion between where the third edge overlaps the first surface and the second edge overlaps the second surface.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical conductor is on the first edge.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical conductor comprises a metal strip that is attached to the first side of the electrical insulator.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical conductor comprises a conductive plastic material.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical conductor comprises a multiple strand electrical conductor.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical conductor is a conductive coating that is applied to the first surface of the electrical insulator.
14. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical conductor comprises a plurality of electrical conductors that are spaced apart at different respective distances from the second edge.
15. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical insulator comprises:
a first insulator structure that includes the first surface and the second surface;
a second insulator structure that includes the first surface and the second surface; and
an insulator coupler that is configured to attach the first insulator structure to the second insulator structure,
wherein the high voltage conductor is between the first insulator structure and the second insulator structure when the apparatus is installed thereon.
16. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first surface of the electrical insulator defines a continuous surface between the second edge, the third edge, the fourth edge, and the electrical conductor; and
the first surface of the electrical insulator defines a continuous surface between the first edge, the third edge, the fourth edge, and the electrical conductor.
17. An apparatus for wildlife deterrence on a high voltage conductor, the apparatus comprising:
an electrical insulator including an electrically insulating material without a conductive material, the electrical insulator comprising:
a planar first surface;
a planar second surface that is opposite the first surface;
an outer edge that is between the first surface and the second surface;
a central opening defined in the electrical insulator including through the first and second surfaces, the central opening configured to receive the high voltage conductor therein; and
an electrical conductor arranged along the outer edge of the electrical insulator;
wherein a further electrical conductor is not arranged on either the first surface or the second surface of the electrical insulator;
wherein a distance on the first surface or the second surface between the central opening and the outer edge is greater than a width of the outer edge.
18. An apparatus for wildlife deterrence on a high voltage conductor that is in a substantially horizontal orientation, the apparatus comprising:
an electrical insulator including an electrically insulating material, the electrical insulator comprising:
a planar first surface;
a planar second surface that is opposite the first surface;
an outer edge that is between the first surface and the second surface; and
a central opening defined in the electrical insulator including through the first and second surfaces;
an electrical conductor arranged on the first surface of the electrical insulator;
wherein the apparatus is configured to be installed in an installed position on the high voltage conductor with the high voltage conductor received in the central opening and with the electrical insulator including the first and second surfaces in a substantially vertical orientation;
wherein a distance on the first surface or the second surface between the central opening and the outer edge is greater than a width of the outer edge.
19. The apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein:
the electrical insulator includes a conductor receiving channel extending from the outer edge to the central opening;
the central opening is defined by an inner edge of the electrical insulator that has a substantially circular profile such that the inner edge of the electrical insulator conforms to the shape of the high voltage conductor;
wherein the apparatus is configured to be installed in the installed position by receiving the high voltage conductor through the conductor receiving channel such that the inner edge of the electrical insulator rests on a top of the high voltage conductor.