Insulator Washing
Airborne Live insulator washing
Heliservices now offers a new service to power companies—washing the insulators of overhead powerlines by helicopter.
This is achieved by hovering a helicopter (an MD500) close to the power lines, and spraying a high pressure jet of water onto the insulators. The helicopter is equipped with a water tank and pump, and an electrical linesman sitting in the back of the helicopter directs the water jet by means of a 5 metre long hollow "boom."
Operator's view of washing boom
Over time the insulators become coated with dirt, pollution and salt, and this can cause a "leakage" of current and possibly cause power blackouts.
Using the helicopter to clean the insulators will result in cost savings for the power companies, and a more reliable power supply for the consumer. Due to the inaccessible location of most of the power pylons and poles in Hong Kong, washing the insulators by helicopter will be more efficient and safer than having them washed by crews climbing the towers and doing them by hand.