One might notice enormous high-voltage transmission towers stretching across Thailand, with a total distance of over 39,000 circuit kilometers. These towers play a crucial role in supplying electric power from generating sources to power users, bringing happiness and light to make electricity accessible to everyone. To design and install each tower, strength and resilience to all weather conditions are considered to ensure the never-ending happiness of Thais and the power system’s security and reliability.
With a height of up to 32 meters and more, the possibility of these towers facing extreme winds increases accordingly, especially during the rainy season when rain storms and gusts are common. Transmission towers are therefore designed with the size of the tower structure and foundation, the distance between towers, and the equipment installed on the towers that meet engineering standards. The strength and safety are prioritized. The transmission towers of EGAT can withstand a wind speed equivalent to a typhoon or over 118 kilometers per hour. This ensures that EGAT’s transmission towers can bear all weather variations that may occur in Thailand.
As lightning, an unavoidable natural phenomenon, often strikes tall objects, EGAT applies national data of thunderstorm days to design its lightning prevention system. Each transmission tower is equipped with an overhead ground wire, commonly known as a “lightning rod,” installed at the top of the tower. A protection angle is also set to prevent a direct lightning strike on the conductor. Besides, a grounding system is installed to make electric current quickly flow into the ground when a lightning strike occurs. Moreover, insulators, used to support the conductor, are designed to withstand Basic Insulation Level (BIL) according to standards.
In addition to the designed strong feature, preventive maintenance is regularly implemented by Hotline technicians to ensure that all transmission towers of EGAT across the country remain in optimal condition according to standards; getting ready to withstand natural disasters, such as storms, floods, or earthquakes, and supply electric power to Thais. The energy security is a national security, fostering prosperity in all regions and boosting economic growth, leading to increased investment credibility of the country.
However, be cautious and avoid being close to the transmission tower in line with Grid Code for safety in lives and properties. In case of any problems of transmission lines or towers, please contact EGAT Call Center 1416 available around the clock.
