Eversource crews are using helicopters to make sure the energy company’s power lines can keep pumping power into homes and businesses around the state.
They are checking for potential obstructions, damaged equipment and other issues that could potentially disrupt service to customers.
“They’re looking for insulators that are cracked, broken wire issues, pole issues -- anything that could cause a potential problem. They can see things that on a fast fly by, you would not pick up on,” JC Zwick, a transmission line supervisor with Eversource, said.
The MD500 helicopters are capable of hovering right at the power line level, so the three-person teams inside can get an up-close look at any issues that might be on the lines.
“Literally, the public will think that we’re in their backyards, but it’s just looking at the power lines. We’re basically looking for maintenance issues, any discrepancies on the towers, on the insulators,” said James Lee, an inspector with Haverfield Aviation, the operators of the helicopters.
Eversource has done these aerial inspections in the past, but now the choppers have cameras that can take high-definition pictures of issues so crews can get them fixed.
“They check the line. They scan the line very closely with binoculars. If they see issues, they take pictures and enhance,” Zwick said.
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The inspections are scheduled to take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. around the state and will often be upwards of 100 feet in the air.
