Patent Publication Number: US-2023160784-A1

Title: Conductor support structure position monitoring system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, and benefit from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/172,607, filed Feb. 10, 2021, which claims priority to, and benefit from, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/972,903, filed Feb. 11, 2020, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments of the disclosure relate to monitoring power distribution systems and, more particularly, to a conductor support structure position monitoring system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conductors, such as power conductors are widely used in many settings. They form an important part of the power distribution system, carrying power from generation facilities to the locations where it is used by customers. A power distribution system may include many types of conductors, for example, high voltage conductors may be used closer to the power generation facilities or for long distance transmission, and medium and lower voltage conductors may be used closer to the locations where the power is used, such as homes and businesses. 
     Many power conductors run overhead, meaning that the conductors are attached to conductor support structures that elevate the conductors above the ground. High voltage power conductors are generally routed through open spaces, but medium and low voltage conductors, which are closer to locations that use the power, are more likely to run over or by roads as well as trees or other objects. Other types of conductors are commonly supported by conductor support structures, such as communication lines. 
     A power company may spend significant amounts of resources repairing and maintaining power conductors and the conductor support structures. Environmental conditions or accidents may cause damage to the conductor support structures and the supported conductors. For example, ice and snow buildup on a conductor may load the conductor to the point that it stretches and breaks or it causes damage to the utility pole. Wind can also be a contributing factor to breakage or wear of conductors or conductor support structures. Wind can directly cause damage to a conductor or it can cause tree limbs or other obstacles to come in contact with the conductor or conductor support structures, thus causing damage. A power conductor may also be damaged by objects, such as vehicles, fallen trees, or the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     Conductor support structure monitoring is facilitated through a sensor unit that collects position data for the conductor support structure and identifies an alert condition responsive to the position data violates a position threshold. The position threshold may be generated based on support structure configuration data, such as conductor orientation, guy wire orientation, and adjacent hazard orientation. In large scale events, such as storms, where multiple conductor support structures are damaged, maintenance activities may be prioritized based on the support structure configuration data indicating the presence of nearby roadways, schools, or other high risk areas. 
     In particular, embodiments described herein provide a utility pole position monitoring system and methods for monitoring utility pole position. 
     In one embodiment, a sensor unit includes an orientation sensor, an electronic processor coupled to the orientation sensor, and memory coupled to the electronic processor and storing support structure configuration data and instructions. The instructions, when executed by the electronic processor, cause the sensor unit to monitor a position of a conductor support structure associated with the sensor unit based on data from the orientation sensor and generate an alert message responsive to determining that the position violates a position threshold. The position threshold is generated based on the support structure configuration data. 
     In another embodiment, a system includes a number of sensor units and a monitoring unit. Each of the sensor units includes an orientation sensor, an electronic processor coupled to the orientation sensor, and a memory coupled to the electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to monitor a position of a conductor support structure associated with the sensor unit based on data from the orientation sensor. The electronic processor is further configured to generate an alert message responsive to determining that the position violates a position threshold. The monitoring unit is configured to receive alert messages from the plurality of sensor units and generate a prioritized list of maintenance activities based on the alert messages. 
     In another embodiment, a method for monitoring conductor support structures includes receiving in an electronic processor data from an orientation sensor in a sensor unit. A position of a conductor support structure associated with the sensor unit is determined in the electronic processor based on data from the orientation sensor. An alert message is communicated by the electronic processor on a communication interface of the sensor unit responsive to determining that the position violates a position threshold. The position threshold is generated based on support structure configuration data associated with the conductor support structure associated with the sensor unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claims, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments. 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram of a conductor support structure monitoring system, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram of a sensor unit, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    is a flowchart of a method performed by a computing device for monitoring conductor support structure position, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  4  and  5    are diagrams illustrating position thresholds generated from support structure configuration data, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
     One or more embodiments are described and illustrated in the following description and accompanying drawings. These embodiments are not limited to the specific details provided herein and may be modified in various ways. Furthermore, other embodiments may exist that are not described herein. Also, the functionality described herein as being performed by one component may be performed by multiple components in a distributed manner. Likewise, functionality performed by multiple components may be consolidated and performed by a single component. Similarly, a component described as performing particular functionality may also perform additional functionality not described herein. For example, a device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed. Furthermore, some embodiments described herein may include one or more electronic processors configured to perform the described functionality by executing instructions stored in non-transitory, computer-readable medium. Similarly, embodiments described herein may be implemented as non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by one or more electronic processors to perform the described functionality. As used herein, “non-transitory computer-readable medium” includes all computer-readable media but does not consist of a transitory, propagating signal. Accordingly, non-transitory computer-readable medium may include, for example, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), register memory, a processor cache, or any combination thereof. 
     Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. For example, the use of “including,” “containing,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “connected” and “coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect. In addition, electronic communications and notifications may be performed using wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination thereof and may be transmitted directly or through one or more intermediary devices over various types of networks, communication channels, and connections. Moreover, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used herein solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a conductor support structure monitoring system  100 , according to some embodiments. The conductor support structure monitoring system  100  monitors multiple conductor support structures  105  supporting overhead conductors  110 . In some embodiments, the conductors  110  are power lines, but other types of conductors, such as communication lines may be supported by the conductor support structures  105 . In some embodiments, the conductor support structure monitoring system  100  monitors positions of the conductor support structures  105  to identify a need for maintenance or repair of selected conductor support structures  105 . For example, an affected conductor support structure  105  may be moved or damaged due to a vehicular accident, a weather event, a fallen tree, or the like, such that its orientation is changed. Such an orientation change may affect the integrity of the conductors  110 , may compromise neighboring conductor support structures  105 , or may endanger individuals near the affected the conductor support structure  105  from fallen conductors  110  or a fallen conductor support structure  105 . 
     In some embodiments, a conductor support structure  105  is a cylindrical post or pole, such as a wood, metal, or concrete pole. In some embodiments, a conductor support structure  105  includes multiple cylindrical posts connected by a frame. In some embodiments, a conductor support structure  105  is a tower having a frame, such as a metal frame. Sensor units  115  are be attached to some or all of the conductor support structures  105 . In some embodiments, sensor units  115  are attached to a subset of the conductor support structures  105 . Though, in some embodiments, a sensor unit  115  is attached to every conductor support structure  105 . For example, sensor units  115  may be selectively attached to conductor support structures  105  that have characteristics representative of conductor support structures in a larger area (e.g., such conductor support structures may be in locations having environmental conditions representative of environmental conditions of other conductor support structures in a larger area). As another example, sensor units  115  may be placed selectively on conductor support structures  105  that are in locations carrying a greater risk of failure, such as windy locations, or posing a greater risk to people or objects below the conductors in the event a failure should occur, as the case may be for conductor support structures near busy intersections, schools, busy pedestrian areas, or the like. 
     It should be appreciated that  FIG.  1    shows a simplified representation of a conductor support structure monitoring system  100 . A conductor support structure monitoring system  100  may have many more conductor support structures and many more conductors  110  than illustrated. Regardless of the numbers and locations of sensor units  115  in the conductor support structure monitoring system  100 , data collected at each sensor unit  115  may be communicated to one or more computing devices for processing to determine a condition, on one or more of the conductor support structures  105 , indicating a current or predicted need for maintenance. In the example of  FIG.  1   , data from the sensor units  115  is wirelessly communicated to a monitoring unit  120 . In this example, the monitoring unit  120  is illustrated as a single computing device collecting data from all of the sensor units  115 . In some embodiments, in a conductor support structure monitoring system  100  spanning a large area, multiple computing devices may be used to collect and process data from the sensor units  115 . 
     Where multiple computing devices are used to implement the monitoring unit  120 , they may be located in one location or distributed across multiple locations. In the latter case, they may be connected through a network and/or organized hierarchically such that each computing device in the hierarchy may be configured to collect and process data gathered by a subset of sensor units  115 . For example, one computing device may be configured to collect and process data from sensor units  115  in one geographic region, and another computing device may be configured to collect and process data from sensor units  115  in another geographic region. 
     In some embodiments, data is transmitted directly from each sensor unit  115  to the monitoring unit  120 . In some embodiments, the data may be transmitted through one or more intermediary devices. Any suitable communication mechanism may be used for communication between the sensor units  115  and the monitoring unit  120 . For example, in some embodiments, the data may be communicated in whole or in part over the power conductors themselves. As a specific example, a sensor unit connected to a central data collection point, such as monitoring unit  120 , through a conductor, may transmit data over that conductor, such as via power line communication (PLC). In the event a fault or other condition prevents communication over the conductor, the sensor unit  115  may transmit data wirelessly to the monitoring unit  120  directly or indirectly through another sensor unit  115  or other suitable intermediary device. Examples of wireless communication may include cellular (e.g. 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, etc.), Bluetooth, LoRa, Zigbee, RF, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, and/or other wireless communication protocols applicable to a given system or installation. 
     Each sensor unit  115  may contain one or more types of sensors and circuitry for controlling the collection of data and transmission of that data for analysis. In some embodiments, each sensor unit may contain circuitry, such as an electronic processor, for processing the data prior to transmission. The times at which sensor data is transmitted may be periodic, randomized, and/or may be dynamically determined based on detection of changing conditions. For example, sensor data may be transmitted when a monitoring threshold configured for the sensor unit  115  is violated. In some embodiments, a reporting frequency for the sensor units  115  is increased by the monitoring unit  120  responsive to a change in the environmental conditions (e.g., a snowstorm arrives, a tree falls, it becomes windy, or the like). In some embodiments, the monitoring unit  120  polls the sensor units  115  to refresh data. 
       FIG.  2    is a simplified block diagram of a sensor unit  115 , according to some embodiments. Each sensor unit  115  may contain a housing  200  that is environmentally sealed. Such a housing  200  may be manufactured with any suitable materials, including materials as are used for components used in exterior locations, such as may be found in power distribution systems and/or telephone systems. Sensors and control circuitry may be enclosed within the housing  200 . One or more types of sensors may be included in a sensor unit  115 , such as an accelerometer (e.g. 2-axis, 3-axis, 4-axis, etc.), a magnetometer (e.g. 2-axis, 3-axis, 4-axis, etc.), a temperature sensor (e.g. thermistor), and/or a location sensor (e.g. GPS, Glonass). As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the sensor unit  115  includes an electronic processor  205 , a memory  210 , a battery  215 , an accelerometer  220 , a magnetometer  225 , a temperature sensor  230 , and a communication interface  235 . The accelerometer  220  and magnetometer  225  may be referred to as orientation sensors. In some embodiments, the accelerometer  220  and the magnetometer  225  are three-axis devices. In some embodiments, data from the temperature sensor  230  is employed to provide temperature compensation for the accelerometer  220  and the magnetometer  225 . It should be appreciated that sensor unit  115  may include any of numerous other types of sensors in addition to or instead of the above-described sensors. 
     The memory  210  includes read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), other non-transitory computer-readable media, or a combination thereof. The electronic processor  205  is configured to communicate with the memory  210  to store data and retrieve stored data. The electronic processor  205  is configured to receive instructions and data from the memory  210  and execute, among other things, the instructions. In particular, the electronic processor  205  executes instructions stored in the memory  210  to perform the methods described herein. The battery  215  provides power to the various components of the sensor unit  115 . In some embodiments, the sensor unit  115  receives external power and the battery  215  is omitted or serves to provide backup power. 
     The communication interface  235  (e.g., a transceiver) allows for communication between the electronic processor  205  and an external device, such as the monitoring unit  120  over a wired or wireless communication network  240 . In some embodiments, the communication interface  235  may include separate transmitting and receiving components. In some embodiments, the communication interface  235  is a wireless transceiver that encodes information received from the electronic processor  205  into a carrier wireless signal and transmits the encoded wireless signal to the monitoring unit  120  over the communication network  240 . The communication interface  235  also decodes information from a wireless signal received from the monitoring unit  120  over the communication network  240  and provides the decoded information to the electronic processor  205 . The communication network  240  may include a power line network or a wireless network (e.g., BLUETOOTH®, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, cellular (3G, 4G, 5G, LTE), RF, LoRa, Zigbee, and/or other wireless communication protocols applicable to a given system or installation). 
     In some embodiments, the memory  210  stores support structure configuration data  245  describing characteristics of the particular conductor support structure  105  associated with the sensor unit  115 . In some embodiments, the support structure configuration data  245  includes support structure physical data, sensor orientation data, location data, adjacent hazard orientation data, and the like. The electronic processor  205  employs the support structure configuration data  245  in determining thresholds for signaling alert conditions to the monitoring unit  120 . 
     In some embodiments, the monitoring unit  120  includes data processing elements similar to the sensor unit  115 , such as an electronic processor, memory, a communication interface, and other elements, such as a user input device (e.g., mouse, keyboard, or touchscreen), a display, and the like. The electronic processor of the monitoring unit  120  executes instructions stored in the memory of the monitoring unit  120  to perform one or elements of the methods described herein. 
       FIG.  3    is a flowchart of a method  300  performed by a computing device for monitoring conductor support structure position, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the method  300  is performed by the electronic processor  205  of the sensor unit  115 . In block  305 , support structure configuration data  245  is stored in the sensor unit  115 . For example, during installation, a technician may store the support structure configuration data  245  in the memory  210  of the sensor unit  115 . 
     In some embodiments, the support structure configuration data  245  includes support structure physical data, such as a height of the conductor support structure  105 , a conductor orientation (e.g., a relative azimuth or yaw of the conductors), a guy wire orientation (e.g., a relative azimuth or yaw of one or more guy wires), and the like. For reference, the orientation of the conductor support structure  105  is assumed to be along the Z-axis. The magnetometer  225  is tilt compensated, however, the conductor support structure  105  is assumed to be in an essentially vertical orientation. 
     In some embodiments, the support structure configuration data  245  includes sensor orientation data, such as a sensor elevation, a sensor offset parameter indicating the position of the sensor unit  115  relative to a center point of the conductor support structure  105  at the installation position of the sensor unit  115 , and the like. In some embodiments, the support structure configuration data  245  includes location data, such as GPS coordinates. In some embodiments, the support structure configuration data  245  includes adjacent hazard orientation data, such as a relative position between the conductor support structure  105  and a nearby hazard, such as a walkway, roadway, school, or the like. 
     In block  310 , a position threshold is determined based on the support structure configuration data  245 . In some embodiments, the electronic processor  205  determines the position threshold based on the support structure configuration data  245  and one or more relationships (e.g., equations, look-up table parameters, or the like) relating the support structure configuration data  245  to the position threshold. In some embodiments, a technician installing the sensor unit  115  may enter or adjust the position threshold. In some embodiments, the position threshold varies based on radial orientation. For example, the position threshold may have a first value at a radial position transverse to the conductors and a second value at a radial position perpendicular to the conductors. The radial bands may be defined for ranges of positions, as described below. 
       FIG.  4    is a diagram illustrating a position threshold, according to some embodiments. In the example of  FIG.  4   , a conductor support structure  400  does not include any guy wires. A compass overlay  405  indicates the orientation of the conductor support structure  400 . The support structure configuration data  245  for the conductor support structure  400  specifies a height of the conductor support structure  105  and a conductor orientation  410  (e.g., 10 degrees offset from North). The sensor orientation data in the support structure configuration data  245  specifies a sensor elevation and a sensor offset parameter based on the diameter of the conductor support structure  105  and the angle of the sensor unit (e.g., 130 degrees from N) at the installation position of the sensor unit  115 . In the example of  FIG.  4   , some movement is expected along the vector defined in a direction transverse to the conductor orientation. However, less movement is expected in a direction perpendicular to the conductor orientation. 
     Based on the support structure configuration data  245 , radial bands  415 A,  415 B are defined for positions generally perpendicular to the conductor orientation and radial bands  420 A,  420 B are defined for positions generally transverse to the conductor orientation. The perpendicular radial bands  415 A,  415 B have position thresholds that are different than the position threshold of the transverse radial bands  420 A,  420 B. For example, the perpendicular radial bands  415 A,  415 B may have a position threshold of approximately 5 degrees (i.e., relative to the Z-axis), and the transverse radial bands  420 A,  420 B may have a position threshold of about 8 degrees. When installing the sensor unit  115 , a technical may be provided with a visual display of the radial bands  415 A,  415 B,  420 A,  420 B and may be able to manually adjust the positioning of the radial bands  415 A,  415 B,  420 A,  420 B. 
       FIG.  5    is a diagram illustrating an alternative position threshold, according to some embodiments. A compass overlay  505  indicates the orientation of the conductor support structure  500 . In the example of  FIG.  5   , the conductor support structure  500  includes guy wires and is positioned adjacent a roadway  510 . The support structure configuration data  245  for the conductor support structure  500  specifies a height of the conductor support structure  105 , a conductor orientation  515  (e.g., 10 degrees offset from North), guy wire support directions  520 A,  520 B (e.g., 310 degrees and 220 degrees), and hazard direction  525  (i.e., associated with the roadway  510 ). The sensor orientation data in the support structure configuration data  245  specifies a sensor elevation and a sensor offset parameter based on the diameter of the conductor support structure  105  and the angle of the sensor unit (e.g., 130 degrees from N) at the installation position of the sensor unit  115 . In the example of  FIG.  5   , virtually no movement is expected in a direction opposite the guy wire support directions  520 A,  520 B. Generally, the guy wires are installed and configured to reduce the likelihood of the conductor support structure  500  falling toward the roadway  510 . 
     Based on the support structure configuration data  245 , a radial band  530  is defined for positions generally opposite the guy wire support directions  520 A,  520 B and in the hazard direction  525 , and a radial band  535  is defined for positions generally in the guy wire support directions  520 A,  520 B and opposite the hazard direction  525 . The radial band  530  has a position threshold that is different than the position threshold of the radial band  535 . For example, the radial band  530  may have a position threshold of approximately 5 degrees (i.e., relative to the Z-axis), and the radial band  535  may have a position threshold of about 8 degrees. In some embodiments, the guy wires in the example of  FIG.  5    may be omitted and the radial bands  530 ,  535  may be determined based on the hazard direction  525 . When installing the sensor unit  115 , a technical may be provided with a visual display of the radial bands  530 ,  535  and may be able to manually adjust the positioning of the radial bands  530 ,  535 . 
     Returning to  FIG.  3   , the electronic processor  205  monitors the conductor support structure position at block  315 . The position may be determined using data from the accelerometer  220 , the magnetometer  225  or both. The sensor offset data in the support structure configuration data  245  may be used to correlate the measurements of the sensor unit  115  to actual position of the conductor support structure  105 . The sensor unit  115  calculates the vertical orientation of the conductor support structure  105  based on input from the accelerometer  220 , where the Z-axis is known to be physically and permanently aligned with the longitudinal axis of the conductor support structure  105 . In some examples, a three axis accelerometer  220  is used such that variations of the support structure position in either an x-direction or a y-direction detect a tilt in the position of the conductor support structure  105 . In some embodiments, the accelerometer  220  is able to determine sub 1-degree variations in angle (i.e. tilt) of the conductor support structure  105 . 
     At block  320 , the electronic processor  205  identifies whether the conductor support structure position violates the position threshold determined at block  310 . As described above in reference to  FIG.  4   , the position threshold may vary depending on radial position. In some embodiments, the electronic processor  205  identifies whether the conductor support structure position violates the position threshold based on time series data. For example, where the monitored conductor support structure position indicates that the conductor support structure is swaying back, such as during a galloping event, a threshold violation may be identified. In some embodiments, a galloping position threshold may be different than, such as less than, the static position threshold shown in  FIG.  4   . In some embodiments, a temperature threshold is used in conjunction with a galloping position threshold, since galloping generally occurs when temperatures are at or below freezing, a strong wind is present, and freezing precipitation has or is occurring. Data from the temperature sensor  230  may be used to enable use of the galloping position threshold. In some embodiments, the monitoring unit  120  determines whether the weather conditions are such that line galloping could occur and signals the sensor units  115 , such as via the communication interfaces  235 , to enable the use of a galloping position threshold. In some embodiments, the sensor unit  115  employs a waiting period after an initial position threshold violation is detected to determine whether the position returns to within the position threshold. The position threshold violation is identified responsive to the position threshold violation persisting after the waiting period has elapsed. 
     In some embodiments, thresholds are employed for parameters other than position. In some embodiments, a force threshold violation is identified responsive to a force reading from the accelerometer  220  exceeding a threshold indicative of a vehicle or other body impacting the conductor support structure  105 . For example, the accelerometer  220  may measure an acceleration or other movement of the conductor support structure  105  indicating an impact. In some examples, the accelerometer  220  and/or electronic processor  205  are calibrated to detect an impact of at least a  5001   b  object (e.g. vehicle) travelling at least 15 miles per hour (mph). However, the accelerometer  220  and/or electronic processor  205  may also be configured to detect impacts of objects weighing more than 500 lbs or less than 500 lbs, and travelling at more than 15 mph or less than 15 mph. 
     In some embodiments, a temperature threshold violation is identified responsive to a temperature reading from the temperature sensor  230  indicating a possible fire. In some examples, the temperature sensor  230  may be installed in a case that extends beyond the potted housing  200  of the sensor unit  115 , such that a rise in the temperature of the air surrounding the conductor support structure  105  may indicate a fire on the conductor support structure  105  and/or on the ground in proximity to the conductor support structure  105 . In some instances, the electronic processor  205  may evaluate a change of temperature over time to determine whether a fire is indicated (e.g. a temperature threshold violation has occurred). For example, an increase of 20 degrees Celsius (“C”) over a 30 second time period may result in a temperature threshold violation. However, other temperature thresholds are contemplated. 
     In some embodiments, a fault current violation is identified responsive to a reading from the magnetometer  225  identifying a fault current in the conductors  110 . Example faults may include short-circuits, such as phase-to-ground and phase-to-phase. In one embodiment, the magnetometer  335  is configured to monitor an electromagnetic (EMI) field generated by AC current flowing in one or ore conductors supported by the conductor support structure  105  to determine whether an AC fault current spike has occurred. In some embodiments, the AC fault current spike may be determined via the magnetometer  225  after only three cycles of the AC current (approximately 50 ms), and an associated AC current fault alert may be generated. 
     At block  325 , the electronic processor  205  generates an alert message responsive to the conductor support structure position violating the position threshold at block  320 . In some embodiments, the sensor unit  115  sends an alert message to the monitoring unit  120  indicting the alert condition. In some embodiments, the alert message includes the location of the conductor support structure  105 , the determined conductor support structure position (e.g., offset from normal), the presence of any adjacent hazards, an alert level generated based on the direction or magnitude of the violation, and the like. In the case of an impact event, the alert message may indicate an impact, and the sensor unit  115  may continue monitoring the position at a higher data rate for a predetermined time interval after detecting the impact to determine whether the position has changed. A subsequent alert message may be generated based on the changed position. In the case of an AC current fault condition, the sensor unit  115  sends an alert message indicating the AC current fault to one or more upstream distribution devices to open the electrical circuit (e.g. circuit breakers) or to take other actions to address the AC current fault condition. 
     In some embodiments, the monitoring unit  120  combines data from different sensor units  115 . For example, where galloping is occurring, alerts should be generated by sensor units  115  on neighboring conductor support structures  105 . Similarly, AC fault currents should be detected by sensor units  115  on neighboring conductor support structures  105 . 
     The alert messages provided by the sensor unit  115  may provide information for prioritizing maintenance or repair activities. Priority may be given to conductor support structures  105  with large position offsets, since conductor support structures  105  may be completely down and may be associated with downed power conductors. Priority may also be given to conductor support structures  105  where the support structure configuration data indicates the presence of nearby hazards, such as roadways, schools, or other high risk areas. In an instance where the alert message indicates a high temperature, the monitoring unit  120  may poll nearby sensor units  115  to attempt to identify whether a fire may be present on nearby utility support structures  105 , thereby identifying the scope of the fire. In some embodiments, the fire may destroy the sensor unit  115  soon after the temperature alert is identified and communicated, so the presence of the fire or the spreading of the fire may be confirmed by evaluating the temperature at adjacent sensor units  115 . 
     In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings. 
     Various features and advantages of some embodiments are set forth in the following claims.