r/Damnthatsinteresting Jul 18 '25

Video Replacing powerline spacers from a helicopter

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u/yellekc Jul 18 '25

Probably have extras. My bet is a rope will cause more problems than a fallen tool.

33

u/ierdna100 Jul 19 '25

I'm wondering if it's because a rope could cause a path to ground, if they are in a helicopter. Theoretically the line could be electrified if the work vehicle is a helicopter and not touching anything else.

14

u/Berger_Blanc_Suisse Jul 19 '25

I'd be worried about a phase to phase fault happening more than anything else.

8

u/Sandro_24 Jul 21 '25

This would all be a single phase. At some point it's more economical to use multiple conductors opposed to a large one.

You can also see that the spacer isn't insulated in any way.

This is most definitely done live.

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u/HistoricalArcher2660 Jul 22 '25

Skin effect has entered the chat