Talk:Inga–Shaba HVDC

Introduction

NOTE: The introduction now reads somewhat more smoothly. The level of detail is also more consistent throughout the article. Highly judgmental material (e.g. suggestions of bribery, mention of autocratic rule, etc.) has been softened, but not entirely removed, to avoid unnecessary controversy. This article, as someone was pointing out, is largely technical and should remain focused on the 'superhuman' nature of the technical feats accomplished. Some of the in-line reference material still needs to be "Wikified". - AM —Preceding unsigned comment added by 219.77.200.131 (talk) 15:23, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

OK...I merged and upgraded it as suggested. -- AM

Problems with this article

This article is terrible.

1. The whole article is written from the perspective of an engineering feat, rather than as a thing. It's not an event - it's still there.

2. More specifically, the introduction is ridiculous: it doesn't talk about what Inga-Shaba actually is - it seems like more of an advertisement for a contracting company. It should say that it's a power line running from Kinshasa to Shaba, that it carries 560 megawatts, that it was completed in 1982. It shouldn't mention generals, negotiating skills, and so on.

3. Needs a picture - I think might have a picture of one of the relay stations I can upload. Will check.

4. Inconsistent detail level

5. Needs sources, especially for phrases like "mostly disenchanted technocrats from Tractionel"

I'll do what I can to dig stuff up to help, but I'm sure a lot of people know a ton more about tropical power lines than I do. icambron 18:56, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

The link http://www.transmission.bpa.gov/cigresc14/Compendium/Ingashab%20Pictures.pdf doesn't work.218.248.70.235 (talk) 16:08, 17 October 2008 (UTC)

Intermediate Switching Stations

What are the intermediate switching stations for? As this line is operated in bipolar mode, it is not possible to paralellize transmission when a fault on a single line occurs.

• Easy reply: When a fault develops in a line, with earth return electrodes installed at each end of the line, approximately half the rated power can continue to flow using the earth as a return path, operating in monopolar mode. The switching stations provide this capability as well as add'l functions.

And as I know, these stations do not offer a static inverter for power supply of surrounding areas.

• Yes, you're right... The cost of providing power at or near the site of the switching stations would have been prohibitive for the Zairian Government at that time. So, they opted for a simpler model without static inverters. The only inverter station was in Shaba, at Kolwezi, of course.

• What have you done with all the REFERENCES and INTERLINKING TECHNICAL PAPERS...? Why did you delete them?

Please see this page and clean up the external links: How To Link. The user should have some sort of idea of what they're clicking on. Plain URLs are not sufficient. Also, the double spacing is unnecessary. You don't have to do it forthwith and I apologize for my semi-literate leanings. --Omarcheeseboro (talk) 16:12, 3 June 2010 (UTC)