What action might be taken if a transmission line is under excessive loading?

When a transmission line is under excessive loading, the most effective action is to reduce the load or increase parallel capacity. This approach addresses the immediate issue of the line being overloaded, which can lead to critical problems such as overheating, decreased efficiency, and possibly even damage to the line.

Reducing the load can be achieved by decreasing the amount of electricity being drawn from the line, which can involve redistributing energy usage or temporarily shutting down less critical systems that depend on that transmission line. On the other hand, increasing parallel capacity involves adding additional transmission lines or utilizing existing parallel lines more effectively, thus allowing more current to be transmitted safely without overloading.

Increasing the voltage typically raises the line's capacity, but it can also exacerbate overheating issues in already stressed lines without addressing the immediate cause of excess loading. Calling for a scheduled outage may be necessary if conditions become critical, but it does not solve the problem of excessive loading during normal operations. Diverting power to neighboring grids could relieve some pressure temporarily, but it is not a direct solution to the issue at hand and may not always be feasible depending on grid connections and agreements. Therefore, reducing load or increasing parallel capacity is the most straightforward and effective action to take under these circumstances.