Insulator washing

General stuff that gets thrown about when Helicopter Pilots shoot the Breeze.
Heli_Al
Silver Wings
Silver Wings
Posts: 17
Joined: Jan 2011

Insulator washing

Postby Heli_Al » Thu Jun 22 2017, 22:10

Hi Team

Quick question .... who has had experience (recently) with cleaning insulators on powerlines cause I'd like to know if high pressure cleaning is necessary or is there a cleaning product that can be applied with low pressure ... so not using the water blaster technique if you get my drift ??

Like that cleaning product tv advert in NZ "spray and walk away"

Cheers
User avatar
havick
4th Dan
4th Dan
Posts: 1300
Joined: Jun 2007

Re: Insulator washing

Postby havick » Thu Jun 22 2017, 22:52

Helistar in Adelaide had/has a wash rig
"You'll have to speak up, I'm wearing a towel."
Heli_Al
Silver Wings
Silver Wings
Posts: 17
Joined: Jan 2011

Re: Insulator washing

Postby Heli_Al » Fri Jun 23 2017, 09:11

Thanks Havick il check that out.
User avatar
TreeTrimmer
Silver Wings
Silver Wings
Posts: 34
Joined: Oct 2012

Re: Insulator washing

Postby TreeTrimmer » Fri Jun 23 2017, 13:10

Ask the guys at either Aeropower or Meridian Helicopters. Both those specialise in insulator washing.

The water blasting technique uses demineralised water which means that the water is not conductive. This is the only method that is used (& approved by power companies) both by helicopter or ground based means (i.e. bucket trucks) on any LIVE power line. Use any other solution on an insulator that has several thousand volts running past it will contain enough particles in the liquid to complete an electrical circuit (conductive) which will result in a nice big flash of light & A LOT of %!$$#@ off people without power.
Heli_Al
Silver Wings
Silver Wings
Posts: 17
Joined: Jan 2011

Re: Insulator washing

Postby Heli_Al » Fri Jun 23 2017, 15:18

Thanks TreeTrimmer

Return to “On the Job”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 24 guests