The major problem of live working on 500 kV compact line is to determine the minimum approach distance.To solve the problem

this paper analyzed GB/T 19185-2003 "The Computational Method on the Approach Distance of AC Circuit Living Work"

judged the reliability of live working with dangerous rate of real live working through calculation and experiment based on a real case.According to the requirement that dangerous rate should be less than 1×10-5

the approach distance can be calculated

hence the minimum phase-ground distance and phase spacing of the linear tower of 500 kV compact line are respectively achieved as 2.6 m and 4.5 m

and the minimum phase-ground distance and phase spacing of the angle tower and terminal tower as respective 2.7 m and 4.5 m.Finally the security and feasibility of live working was checked based on the real size of the line tower.The research illustrates that live working is safe and feasible on this line.