On the other hand
The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) has unveiled what it says is the world’s first robotic drone-based system, capable of installing and removing warning balls on high voltage transmission lines.
In moving away from manned platforms, this novel approach marks a significant shift in how the national grid is maintained.
Developed with Israeli company Kronos, the system uses a drone equipped with a specialised robotic payload to attach orange aviation warning markers to ground wires at heights of 20 to 70 meters. These markers are required by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Israeli Air Force to alert low-flying aircraft to the presence of power lines. They are especially necessary in flat agricultural areas.
Until now, the IEC has relied on helicopters or elevated work platforms for the work. Those methods not only involved high operational costs and complex logistics but also posed significant safety risks to crews working near live high-voltage infrastructure.
The new drone-mounted system uses a redesigned warning ball with an automatic click-and-clamp mechanism, allowing ground operators to install or remove the markers without physical contact with the wires.
The company notes that the system is expected to bring about substantial savings in installation and maintenance costs while significantly streamlining work processes and manpower allocation. It also has export potential, positioning Israel as a leader in automated grid maintenance technologies.
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