A live operating rod for fastening bolts in a substation is disclosed, the rod comprises a bolt fastening mechanism, a pitch mechanism, a control unit and an insulating rod, wherein the control unit controls the work of the pitch mechanism and the bolt fastening mechanism, a camera is arranged on a bolt fastening transmission box, the camera is communicatively connected with the control unit, thecontrol unit comprises a ground control terminal, and the ground control terminal is communicatively connected with the camera. The invention has the advantages of simple principle, precision and reliability, low cost, light and flexible tools, simple operation and strong universality, and can be widely applied to various bolt loosening and deficiency elimination work in transmission lines, distribution lines and substation equipment, especially in substations with narrow equipment spacing, and the effect is more obvious.