Various reports of low flying helicopters have been reported across Ohio in the past few months, now Ohio Edison says they have been using the aircraft to do preventative maintenance on high-voltage power lines.

To keep power flowing safely and reliably through the upcoming winter months, proactive aerial inspections along nearly 800 miles of transmission lines were recently completed throughout Ohio Edison’s service area using infrared and ultraviolet (IR/UV) technology.

“The transmission system is the first line of defense in preventing power outages because it supplies the electricity that flows into substations and along power lines to every single one of our customers,” said Ed Shuttleworth, president of FirstEnergy’s Ohio operations.

An IR/UV inspection is performed at low-flying patrol speeds between 25 and 35 mph, using an infrared and ultraviolet camera mounted on the bottom of the helicopter.

The onboard thermographer uses the camera to view the electrical equipment through infrared and ultraviolet spectrums to identify any sources of overheated components or voltage issues.

The infrared technology shows heat on a color scale, with brighter colors or “hot spots” indicating areas that could need repairs.

The thermal images can identify equipment issues such as loose connections, corrosion and load imbalances, while ultraviolet technology detects electrical discharge along a power line caused by issues like rusted hardware and cracked insulators.

The combination of both technologies is beneficial because it provides a wider range of detection.

Any issues identified during the inspections are addressed to prevent service disruptions and costly repairs down the road.

The aerial inspections in Ohio Edison’s territory began in mid-August and were completed in September.