Patent ID: 7271508

Claim:
A method of de-icing energized electric lines of an alternating current voltage distribution or transmission network comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus capable of producing an adjustable angular offset between voltages at its terminals; selecting segments of the energized electrical lines to be de-iced; connecting the segments to form a loop by selectivly operating circuit breakers of the network; connecting the apparatus in series with the segments of the loop to be de-iced; activating the apparatus; adjusting the angular offset of the apparatus to impose an increase in current flowing in at least one of the segments of the loop, thus causing the de-icing of said at least one of the segments of the loop wherein the apparatus further comprises a circuit breaker and further comprising the steps of: measuring a phase displacement at the terminals of the apparatus; adjusting an internal angle of the apparatus to a same value of the phase displacement measured; and operating the circuit breaker of the apparatus into a closed position.