What Are the Aerial Balls on Overhead Power lines?

What Are the Aerial Balls on Overhead Power lines?

  • Aerial ball markers are visibility markers which is used to prevent the airplane crash on the power lines.
  • Aerial Marker Balls help save lives and protect expensive infrastructure.
  • There are six different types of Aerial Marker Balls will be talked about in this article.

Sometimes we are walking in outside, there are big colorful balls on transmission lines and distribution lines. Would you wonder what is the use of it? Actually they are used near airport to remind pilots and make lines visible in the daytime and dark time. In this article, we will going to dive into the specific information of Aerial ball markers.

Table of Contents

What are Aerial ball markers on power lines?

Aerial ball markers are visibility markers. They weigh about 17 pounds each. They are applied in places near mountain passes, in deep valley areas, near major freeway crossings and around airports. Visibility markers are placed on power lines to make the conductor crossings visible to aircraft pilots to avoid severe accidents and incidents. In this way to save the life of whole crew members and save the life and property of nearest living space.

TTF Electric Power Technology Co., Ltd is an Chinese manufacturer of power line hardware, power line fittings as well as pole line hardware.

What is the application of Aerial Marker Balls?

What is the application of Aerial Marker Balls?

Aerial Marker Balls help save lives and protect expensive infrastructure by making power lines and guy wires more visible to low-flying planes and helicopters. Marker Balls are typically used in airport and heliport approach areas and where power lines span long distances crossing canyons, lakes and rivers.

What are features of Aerial Marker Balls?

There are seven different features of Aerial Marker Balls.

• Available in four diameters: 9″, 12″, 20″ or 24″
• Heavy duty construction, made from UV-stabilized ABS plastic with UV-resistant Korad™ coating
• Installs easily on any wire 1/8″ – 1″
• Requires only four bolts to clamp it to the wire
• Designed for neutral wires, guy wires, and conductor wires up to 69KV only
• Four drain holes per marker ball
• Available in Orange (standard), Yellow or White

How to install Aerial Marker Balls on power line and other wires?

This Marker Ball installs easily on any wire 1/8″ – 1″ (custom wire sizes are available) through the use of two UV-resistant neoprene strip bushings installed on the wire to match the diameter of the openings (boss) in the Marker. The Marker is then securely bolted around the wire, clamping down on the bushings.

Stay rod assemblies, or stay sets are components used to connect the stay wire to the ground anchor. They stabilize the wires to root in the ground in a firm state.

What are different types of Aerial Marker Balls?

What are different types of Aerial Marker Balls?

In this article,we only talk about six different types of Aerial Marker Balls.

ABS Power Line Marker

Featuring a new universal clamp system to fit conductors (up to 115 kV), OPGW, or static lines from .40 to 2.25 inches, the PRM-36 is otherwise identical to our industry standard 36-inch ABS Power Line Marker.

Standard Power Line Marker

It is Routinely installed on hot lines by helicopter, Standard ABS markers are rated up to 115 kV and made of durable ABS with superior color retention. Spiral wire preforms are used for secure attachment. Standard ABS markers are available international orange, yellow, or white, and in 9”, 20”, 24”, and 36” diameters.

115 kV+ Power Line Marker

Developed for installation on higher voltage lines, EHV power line markers have a special coating and other design features to reduce corona effects that can lead to burning or melting with standard markers. EHV markers are available in 24” diameter for up to 230 kV and 36” diameter for up to 345 kV. Routinely installed by helicopter, EHV markers are made of durable ABS with superior color retention and use spiral wire preforms for secure attachment.

AL High Temperature Power Line Marker

AL power line markers are constructed from aluminum for direct attachment to high corona, high voltage ACSS/ACCR lines and are rated up to 250° C (482° F) and 500 kV. Routinely installed by helicopter on hot lines, the markers are securely attached with spiral wire preforms. AL markers are available in international orange, yellow, and white and in 12”, 24”, 30″, and 36” diameters.

Self-Illuminated Marker / Light

It meets or exceeds FAA Advisory Circular 70/7460-1L (Dec. 2015), which calls for marking catenary power lines with self-illuminated “marker balls”. Installed directly on live lines up to 500 kV, it utilizes the electrical field generated by the line drive two steady red 810 LED lights at 32.5 candela each. (Live line must carry 50–2000 Amps.) Since its introduction in 2006,it has been installed worldwide with excellent reliability and durability.

Guy Line Markers

It is designed to help prevent costly damage and service outages.

FAQs

What is Aerial Marker Balls?

Aerial ball markers are visibility markers which is used to prevent the airplane crash on the power lines.

What is the application of Aerial Marker Balls?

Aerial Marker Balls help save lives and protect expensive infrastructure.

What are different types of Aerial Marker Balls?

ABS Power Line Marker,Standard Power Line Marker,115 kV+ Power Line Marker,AL High Temperature Power Line Marker,Self-Illuminated Marker / Light,Guy Line Markers and to be continued.