Conductor cleaning system and method

Abstract

A conductor cleaning system for cleaning aluminum strands of all aluminum and steel reinforced conductors, such as ACSS, ACSR, ACAR, and AAA. The conductor cleaning system having a container adapted to receive a portion of a conductor to be cleaned, a housing adapted to receive and support the container, and a cleaning solution contained in the container for cleaning the portion of the conductor. The cleaning solution being adapted to clean the conductor without reacting with or damaging the conductor.

1 . A cleaning solution adapted to clean electrical conductors, comprising: a caustic composition including a hydroxide cleaning agent. 
   
   
       2 . The cleaning solution according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydroxide cleaning agent is sodium hydroxide (NaOH). 
   
   
       3 . The cleaning solution according to  claim 1 , wherein the caustic composition, by approximate weight percent, comprises 0.985 to 8.97 NaOH. 
   
   
       4 . The cleaning solution according to  claim 1 , wherein the caustic composition further includes NaF to enhance the solubility of aluminum oxides and reduce the time needed to complete a cleaning of an electrical conductor. 
   
   
       5 . The cleaning solution according to  claim 1 , wherein the caustic composition, by approximate weight percent, comprises 0.49 to 1.45 NaF. 
   
   
       6 . A cleaning solution adapted to clean electrical conductors without damaging galvanization coatings or degrading aluminum contained in the coatings or conductor, the cleaning solution having a composition comprising, by approximate weight percent, 0.985 to 8.97 NaOH, 0.49 to 1.45 NaF, and 89.7 to 98.5H 2 O. 
   
   
       7 . The cleaning solution according to  claim 6 , further including, by approximate weight percent, 0.15 to 1.42 Na 2 O(SiO 2 ) x (H2O) x . 
   
   
       8 . The cleaning solution according to  claim 7 , wherein the cleaning solution comprises, by approximate weight percent, 0.15 to 1.42 Na 2 O(SiO 2 ) x (H2O) x , 1.90 to 1.93 NaOH, 1.43 to 1.45 NaF, 95.24 to 96.47H 2 O. 
   
   
       9 . The cleaning solution according to  claim 6 , further including, by approximate weight percent, 0.193 to 3.54 ascorbic acid. 
   
   
       10 . The cleaning solution according to  claim 9 , wherein the cleaning solution comprises, by approximate weight percent, 0.193 to 3.54 ascorbic acid, 1.87 to 1.93 NaOH, 1.40 to 1.45 NaF, 93.28 to 96.43H 2 O. 
   
   
       11 . The cleaning solution according to  claim 6 , further including an inhibitor to prevent degradation of aluminum in the galvanization coatings or the conductor. 
   
   
       12 . The cleaning solution according to  claim 6 , further including an acid to control pH of the cleaning solution such that the pH is maintained below 12.5. 
   
   
       13 . A method of cleaning an electrical conductor, comprising:
 (a) providing a conductor cleaning system having:
 (i) a container; and 
 (ii) an agitator; 
   (b) providing a cleaning solution for cleaning of the electrical conductor;   (c) introducing the cleaning solution into the container;   (d) positioning an electrical conductor in the cleaning solution disposed in the container; and   (e) activating the agitator, thereby agitating the cleaning solution and enhancing its ability to clean the electrical conductor.   
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the cleaning solution comprises, by approximate weight percent, 0.15 to 1.42 Na 2 O(SiO 2 ) x (H2O) x , 1.90 to 1.93 NaOH, 1.43 to 1.45 NaF, 95.24 to 96.47H 2 O. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the cleaning solution comprises, by approximate weight percent, 0.193 to 3.54 ascorbic acid, 1.87 to 1.93 NaOH, 1.40 to 1.45 NaF, 93.28 to 96.43H 2 O. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 13 , further including the step of checking the pH of the cleaning solution before and after cleaning the electrical conductor. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further including the step of replacing the cleaning solution with a new cleaning solution when the pH of the cleaning solution indicates that the cleaning solution is ineffective in cleaning the electrical conductor. 
   
   
       18 . A method of determining when to replace a cleaning solution in a conductor cleaning system with a new cleaning solution, comprising:
 (a) measuring a pH of the cleaning solution prior to and after each cleaning of multiple electrical conductors;   (b) calculating a drop in pH of the cleaning solution for each cleaning using the pH measurements taken prior to and after each cleaning of the electrical conductors;   (c) determining a range of drop in pH using the calculated drops in pH for each cleaning; and   (d) replacing the cleaning solution with the new cleaning solution when a calculated drop in pH exceeds the determined range of drop in pH.