Quantifying the Probability of Avian Electrocution on Overhead Transmission and Distribution Structures

Avian electrocution can occur when the fleshy, conductive parts of a bird make simultaneous contact with two energized conductors or a conductor and a ground. The dangers associated with avian electrocution include ignitions and wildland fires, which have been documented in countries including the United States, Spain, and Australia. Utility companies seeking to quantify and reduce the risk of avian-caused ignitions and wildfires may benefit from methods for assessing the relationship between structures’ geometric configurations and their associated risk of avian electrocution. This paper presents a quantitative method for assessing how changes to the geometric configuration of transmission and distribution structures – such as horizontal and vertical phase spacing of conductors – affect…