The Clever Meaning of Red Balls On Power Line: How They’ve Saved Numerous Lives

Published on 03/15/2021
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200 Feet Apart

The balls are typically spaced 200 feet apart, though as you approach an airport, they may be closer together. All of these details hint at what these spherical additions to your local power lines are for. There’s one more ironic detail to consider about them.

200 Feet Apart

200 Feet Apart

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Flying In A Helicopter

Surprisingly, the big power line spheres you see have to be attached to the wires in a death-defying manner. Even with the tallest cherry-picker, workers can’t always reach the lines. How do teams get to the top of the mountain? To attach the massive, brightly colored bead, they sometimes have to fly in a helicopter that hovers next to the cable long enough.

Flying In A Helicopter

Flying In A Helicopter

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