Helicopters wash powerlines
Release Date: 19 February 2007
Residents will notice helicopters patrolling powerlines and insulators from next Monday to the end of March as Western Power carries out linewashing to reduce the likelihood of pole top fires.
Pole top fires are not unique to WA and occur when light rain or drizzle comes into contact with dust and electricity on the power lines and affects overhead power systems around the world.
Recent bushfires have caused a build-up of dust and ash to collect on insulators at the top of power poles which can increases the risk of pole top fires.
To reduce the chance of pole top fires occurring Western Power will carry out the following linewashing.
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| 19 - 21 February | Dellyanine, Arthur River, Warup, Wagin |
| 19 - 28 February | Kojonup, Boscabel, Beaufort River, Dellyanine, Arthur River, Warup, Wagin, Carrolup, Katanning |
| 26 February - 3 March | Muja, Trigwell, Changerup, Boilup, Kojonup, Cowcher, Shotts, Buckingham, Gilfillan, Ewington, Collie |
| 6 - 8 March | Picton, Dardanup West, Davenport, Stratham, Rivervale, Penola, Capel, Ludlow, Ruabon, Fairlawn, Busselton, Wonnerup, Bovell |
| 8/9 March | Capel, Ludlow, Wonnerup, Bovell, Busselton, Jindong, Boallia, Kallorup, Cowaramup, Wirring, Bramley, Margaret River |
| 12 March | Picton, Picton East, Eaton, Australind, Wellesley, Uduc, Kemerton, Marriot Road, Coolup |
| 19-22 March | Muja, Shotts, Upper Murray, Hakea, Bombala, Hotham, Boddington, Duncan, Mount Wells, Mount Cooke |
| 21/22 and 29 March | Illawarra, Pickering Brook, Hacketts Gully, Piesse Brook, Helena Valley |
| 30 March | Cannington, Beckenham, Lynwood, Canning Vale, Forrestdale, Oakford, Oldbury, Mardella, Serpentine, Keysbrook, Nambeelup |
Western Power spokesperson, Marisa Chapman said, "During the aerial inspections specially trained crews aboard the helicopter use high-pressure water to remove dust and residue on the transmission powerlines and insulators.
"The helicopter will fly low during cleaning work to get close to transmission powerlines and insulators.
"The work is part of Western Power's commitment to improve the reliability and quality of power supply in the South West.
"Maintaining the thousands of kilometres of high voltage electricity transmission and distribution lines is a logistical challenge for Western Power," Ms Chapman said.
Western Power has over 6750kms of transmission lines and 83,000km of distribution lines and 800,000 power poles in the South West Interconnected System, an area which extends from Kalbarri in the north, Kalgoorlie in the east and Albany in the south.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding this media release please email us: media@westernpower.com.au
