Design of a High-Voltage Transmission Line Voltage Detection System Based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

To address the issues of low efficiency, high risk, and poor environmental adaptability associated with manual voltage detection on high-voltage transmission lines, this paper proposes a non-contact voltage detection system based on a multirotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform. The system adopts a modular design that integrates a high-sensitivity inductive electric field sensor, a ground control terminal, and a LoRa communication module, enabling reliable data transmission and remote control capabilities. The sensor, based on the principle of electric field induction, achieves high-precision measurements within a voltage range of 35–500 kV, demonstrating good linear response and strong anti-interference performance. To enhance the level of operational intelligence, an improved trajectory planning method combining an enhanced A* algorithm and ant colony optimization (ACO) is proposed. A comparative analysis of path smoothness, obstacle avoidance, and planning efficiency is conducted, with the improved ACO algorithm ultimately selected for optimal path generation. Field tests on 110 kV transmission lines were conducted to evaluate key performance indicators such as voltage detection accuracy, trajectory planning response time, and data transmission integrity. Experimental results show that the system exhibits high stability and repeatability under complex electromagnetic and natural environmental conditions. This study provides an efficient and safe solution for the intelligent operation and maintenance of transmission lines and holds significant potential for engineering applications.