Helicopter in action: Inspection of the high -voltage lines starts!

Helicopter in action: Inspection of the high -voltage lines starts!

On January 16, 2025, Amprion GmbH started with inspections of maximum voltage expansion in the region. The use of helicopters enables efficient control of the lines that are operated with voltages of 220 and 380 kilovolt. The floors start in mid -January and will be held until mid -March. A total of around 4,000 circuit kilometers are in the AMPRION network area on the test bench, which extends from the North Sea to the Alps.

The main goal of these regular inspections is the early detection and correction of possible damage to overhead lines. A modern technology is used: infrared cameras that are mounted on the helicopters. The pilots fly at a low height to inspect masts and lines. The flight speed is between 30 and 40 km/h, which allows a precise check of the lines.

innovative technology for damage detection

The inspection focuses particularly on rope damage and thermal abnormalities. Defects that are found during the flights are recorded and then evaluated before they are remedied by fitters. Serious damage is reported immediately and immediately remedied. Infrared thermography has proven to be particularly effective in recent years and significantly complements the visual and ground-based controls.

The use of infrared cameras has not only expanded to inspect the power lines. According to PCE-instruments are increasingly being used in different industries. Newer models are smaller and easier to use, so that users can also benefit from thermography without extensive expertise. This opens up applications in operational maintenance, maintenance and even architecture.

Examples of the use of infrared cameras

The infrared cameras are also of particular importance in security -relevant areas, such as the testing of fiber -reinforced plastics in the automotive industry or aviation. Here active infrared thermography helps to recognize hidden structural errors at an early stage. This technology is a non-destructive test method that makes material defects visible, such as air or water impacts, delaminations or foreign bodies.

The test is made without contact, whereby temperature differences are generated by targeted energy intake pulses and then pursued with the infrared camera. This method ensures high quality of the documentation and enables a prompt reaction in the case of determined defects. The digital evaluation of the heat images takes place according to strict standards such as DIN EN 4179 and DIN EN ISO 9712, which also ensures the quality of the inspections.

With these inspections and the use of advanced technologies, Amprion not only contributes to the safety and stability of the power grid, but also to the long -term efficiency of energy supply in the region.