hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

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davedottcom

davedottcom

Senior Member
I'm sure you've been asked this before but...

I see these big Orange (Plastic looking) balls, for lack of correct term, on the power lines every so often. Usually in the middle of a span of overhead utility lines between towers.
I think they look like big "wirenuts" for a splice!
What are they?!?! :)

Dave
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

um...

No!

They're Big..and Round...and Orange!

Very decorative, yet mysterious!

Dave
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

Dave's question: big Orange (Plastic looking) balls What are they?!?!
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Sam's answer: Low flying airplanes
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Sam I know it's Friday nite but have you started the weekend early?

I've never seen a air plane that looked like a ball?

A little refresher Sam
:eek:

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Ok How about a Balloon? At least it's round?
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HE HE

I'm just razing ya Sam.
To alert low flying planes and helicopters is one of the reason's the other is to keep the wires from slapping together in high wind, is the other.
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Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

I've never seen a air plane that looked like a ball?
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Not everybody has.

And a lot of the people who have don't say anything about it because they're not sure what they are. :D :D
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

I thought that the big orange balls were some form of Stockbridge damper. Warning to airplanes makes sense too.
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

1) What's a stockbridge damper?!

2) If they are for planes, they are very inconsistant in where they decide to put them.

3) I'm fairly certain the orange balls were not low flying aircraft...but I'll look again today!
(I have seen those huge,silent,black triangles at night, but that's a Whole other story.)

Dave
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

The orange balls a for low flyer aircraft!

Planes, Helicopters, anywhere there is a small landing strip or helicopter launch pad. Thats all they are. You might not realize it, but there is probably a small personnel airstrip behind the fenceline off to the distance.
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

I will vote for visual warnings for aircraft. :)

Near me they are often placed on power lines that cross rivers or shipping channels.

These lines are well above any ships, but easily within reach of some sightseeing small aircraft pilot following the river or shipping channel. :eek:
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

There is a small airport about 1/2 mile away!
Case Closed!
:)
Thanks!

Has anyone seen the new style Traffic Lights?

They have a light bulb (looks like a reg. 100 Watt A Bulb) sticking out the top of the traffic light. It illuminates when the red light is on.
It can be seen from all points of the intersection.
I was told they are for police to be able to see if you passed through the light when it was red. (Before, If they were sitting on the other side, they couldn't tell for sure...they can now. :( )

Dave
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

They also mark migratory bird flyways, as well as helipads, airstrips, and waterways.

Dave, here, they've just installed a bunch of cameras at different intersections that take your picture if you run the red light.
I know theve been around for a while, but they're just getting to it here.
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

A lot of times people mistake the guys that do that as someone directing traffic. :D
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

Originally posted by iwire:
Originally posted by luke warmwater:
They also mark migratory bird flyways,
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Who tells this to the birds? :confused:
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I don't know. :confused:
That's what I remember from my High Voltage Handbook, from when I did alot of pole lines, etc.
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

You are correct about using them for visibility.
. . . the other is to keep the wires from slapping together in high wind, is the other.
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That is never the case. We use physical separation and software to determine the stringing tension that is necessary to keep the conductors from slapping together. In some cases, we will install insulators in mid-span to keep conductors apart but the balls will never be used for that purpose. :D
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

1) What's a stockbridge damper?!
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It is a device that clamps onto a wire (normally a transmission line) several feet away from the insulators to dampen the harmonics in the line. They have a stiff cable with large weights on the end that dampens the gallop in the winter when ice builds up on the lines and the wind makes them act like an airplane wing. :D
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

Thanks Charlie, Have I ever told you about the "glowing "florescent tubes under power lines?

I used to win a lot of bets with people about this. (I knew it worked)
I can't tell you much about the power lines but all I know is this...
If you took a 4' florescent tube, holding it at one end and point it towards the power lines it will glow . Not full illumination, but it glows plenty bright enough to see it at night.
A very odd thing that I discovered, and dont understand, is... once the tube is glowing, if you held the tube also at the other end and "Slid" you hand down the tube towards the other hand, the tube will not glow past the point of the hand that is moving. So the glowing portion of the tube will get smaller and smaller as your hands get closer together. If you release the second hand the entire tube will glow again.
:)

Dave
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

OOOOPS I guess i better stop shooting at them for target practice ;)

Did hear years ago about a guy wraping a 55 gal steel drum with wire and placing it under the lines to steal power.Rather dangerious i would think.
 
Re: hey Charlie, Utility Power Guy?

By the way Tampa has lots of them extra lights under the red lights.Tampa must be the capital of red light runners.Many times if i just made a yellow i will see 1 or 2 cars followed me.We are cracking down on it and im glad.
 
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