Time consuming, tedious and expensive.
Just a few words to describe existing methods of powerline inspection. But while it may be tedious, powerline inspection is a critical requirement and historically, has been carried out manually. Inspection teams would be dispatched to inspect powerline assets individually. This would involve climbing poles, using access platforms and inspecting vegetation growth. If you were lucky and the terrain was flat and open, you could short distances in a day. Inspecting powerlines was not quick and it was not easy and it was not safe. That was until the development of commercial drone inspection UAV that are changing the entire inspection process.
Thermal imaging can be used to detect hot spots. LiDAR can be used to map out 3D terrain and identify plant species. Drone inspection vehicles equipped with this technology alongside 4K HD video and photography equipment has turbo charged the inspection industry. A drone inspection of powerlines can now cover huge areas quickly – regardless of how rugged the terrain is. All while gathering real data that can be easily processes with cloud based software and easily shared amongst engineers and repair teams.
The vast amount of data gathered by drones can then be cross referenced using GPS and time stamps to work alongside LiDAR 3D mapping. What does this mean? It means that we can build a 3D landscape spanning the powerlines path. We can track vegetation growth and review its growing path so that any risk of tree branches falling onto powerlines in stormy weather can be dealt with before, rather than after they become a problem. This simple example can help cut down on power outages and protect vital electrical assets from damage.
And all of this can be done faster and more cost effectively than traditional methods of powerline inspection. Drones can be equipped with thermal imaging cameras, LiDAR and high spec cameras generating huge amounts of visual data which can then be used to create vital inspection reports to help companies make more reliable, on-the-ball decisions.
We are Balmore Inspection Services. From aerial drone surveys to ROV underwater inspection conducted in fresh water and salt water environments. Our fleet of aerial drones can provide outdoor external inspection as well as confined spaces inspection conducted in the darkest and most difficult to access confined spaces that are too dangerous for a conventional inspection team to enter.
We are fully accredited by ARPAS-UK, and our drone inspection pilots all have their commercial PFAW pilots licence, fully approved by the CAA. This allows us to conduct our drone surveys both in the air and underwater to the highest of standards while following strict rules and regulations governing drone flights in public spaces.
Find out more
Switching to visual inspection using commercial drone surveys can save your business money whilst offering an improved inspection service that is also faster and more reliable. The benefits of using drones for inspection work are well known and as technology advances, our drones are able to fly further, for longer with provide even more detailed imagery, video and thermal imaging. We are happy to arrange visual demonstrations of our drones in action and can supply case studies relevant to your business sector when requested.
