Aviation barrier marker balls for marking high-voltage wires. What kind of things are hanging on the wires above the road? There is a white mark on the high-voltage wires

Since November 1, 2010, small class G flights have been allowed in Russia, without requiring permission, you just need to notify air traffic control authorities. The upper limit for class G airspace depends on the region and varies from 300 m (Rostov region) to 4500 m (federal subjects located in the eastern part of Siberia). Due to the low altitude of flights and the lack of air traffic control clearance, there is a need to mark overhead communication lines and power lines in small aircraft flight areas. The recommendation for such marking was included in the standard of PJSC Rosseti STO 34.01-21.1-001-2017 “Electric distribution networks with voltage 0.4-110 kV. Requirements for technological design." There are daytime markings (the marker does not glow, but only reflects light) and light fencing (the marker itself emits light). In this article we will talk only about daytime marking. The devices intended for it are called “signal marker balls” and are designated by the abbreviation SShM.

Standard of PJSC Rosseti STO 34.01-2.2-016-2016 “Markers for overhead power lines. Marking of overhead line supports and spans" establishes the following requirements for the marking of power lines with a voltage of 35 kV and above passing near runways: "Day markings (painting), SShM and light fencing must have elements and structures of overhead lines near the airfield or heliport protruding beyond the internal horizontal, conical or transitional surface, take-off surface or approach surface within 6000 m of their internal boundaries.” Also, regardless of location relative to the airfield, overhead line supports with a height of 100 m or more must have daytime markings (painting), SHM and light fencing.

SSHM and light fencing on power lines with a voltage of 35 kV and above must also be present, regardless of the location of the line relative to the airfield, at crossings of lakes and navigable rivers, as well as at the intersection of highways IA, IB, IB. In this case, the SShM and light barriers are installed not only on lightning protection, but also on phase wires (if there are several of these wires and they are located in the same plane, only the outermost wires are marked). In some cases, it is allowed to install only SShM without light barriers; these options are listed in STO 34.01-2.2-016-2016. For example, it is quite possible to get by only with a small aircraft, if in a given area the only small aircraft that fly are known to carry out aeronautical chemical work in agriculture, because such work is carried out during daylight hours. This standard also describes the principles of placing SHM on wires.

SShM can be white, red and orange. In the event that there is more than one wire at the highest level in the power line, alternating markers of two colors are used - red and white or red and orange. The choice between red and orange is made based on which of these colors will be most noticeable against the background of the surrounding landscape. According to the current Russian standards, small aircraft used in the small aircraft flight zone, when crossing roads and water barriers, must have a single color. However, you can also find SShM on sale, painted in two colors, usually a combination of white and red or white and orange. In Russia, such markers are used where small aircraft do not fly, but there is a mass migration of birds. The bright two-color markers repel birds, preventing them from being injured by collisions with wires.

At first glance, what could be simpler - a ball painted a certain color and equipped with fastenings to a wire? But in fact, SShM is a real product of high technology!

Let's start with the fact that the SShM must combine strength, light weight and resistance to rain. In this case, the SHM must be made of dielectric metal, otherwise the capacitance between the conductor and the ground will increase. To prevent cracking and fading, the ball is coated with a special compound that protects the plastic from exposure to ultraviolet rays, or additives are used to the material that protect against ultraviolet radiation.

The material from which the fastener is made should not cause electrochemical corrosion when in contact with the wire on which it is installed. Let us recall that modern overhead power lines use wires made of aluminum, or aluminum and steel: inside there is a steel cable braided with aluminum wire. Accordingly, electrochemical corrosion should not occur when the fastener comes into contact with aluminum.

Should the SHM be completely sealed? It turns out not. During operation of the SHM, the ambient temperature varies widely. As the temperature drops, the air contracts and moisture is sucked in through small cracks or leaks. Moisture accumulates inside the ball at the bottom, which is practically not removed from there. The weight of the marker increases, which can lead to stretching and even breakage of the wires. When frost sets in, the resulting ice can deform the marker. That is why the SShM must have at least two drainage holes.

And, of course, the SShM must fulfill its main function, namely, be clearly visible from afar. The ball must be visible at a distance of at least 1000 m in the air and 300 m from the ground.

The listed requirements are fully met, for example, . These markers can be used on overhead lines and power lines with voltages from 35 kV to 1000 kV. Observation range - at least 1200 m. Available in two versions - with a diameter of 600 mm and 800 mm. Thanks to the use of glass fiber reinforced polyester as a body material, the ball's mass is 6.9 and 9.0 kg, respectively. A wall thickness of 3 mm for the material used is quite enough to provide the necessary strength. But, if the SShM is planned to be used in difficult conditions, the strength of the marker can be increased by installing special reinforcing rods in it (purchased separately).

Signal marker balls RedDot OMARK in different colors

The following color options are available: orange, red, white, orange-white, red-white. Optionally, you can install a reflective tape on the SShM.

Separately, it should be noted the cable clamp, the design of which ensures reliable fixation on the wire. The clamp is made of aluminum alloy, but the bolts, washers and nuts are made of stainless steel, as they do not come into contact with the wire and pose no risk of corrosion to it. This SShM model can be mounted on wires with a diameter of 6.5 to 55 mm. Such a wide range of wire diameters is an important advantage of RedDot OMARK - its closest competitor has almost half the width of this range. What practical significance does this have? If your company builds or services power lines with a wide variety of types, you do not need to purchase SShM for various diameters; it is enough to have only one model in stock, which can be installed on almost any wires commonly used on power lines.

The problem of storage and transportation is also simplified thanks to the special design of the marker. When disassembled, the markers fold compactly into one another, saving space in the warehouse, as well as reducing the required number of truck trips for delivery.

Most often in open areas, for example, far from cities, you can notice large red balls placed on electrical wires and high-voltage power lines. These orbs are usually found in places where there aren't really many other different objects. In essence, this is a kind of warning that there are power lines in this area.

The big red balloons that hang on power lines in some rural area are primarily designed to help airline pilots spot the lines so they can avoid colliding with them. Balloons are often found on power lines surrounding small airports in open areas and are included when architectural designs are being made for homes in that area. Airports in cities don't often need these markers because power lines are far from airports and pilots can more easily see the runway and any obstacles that exist in their path.

When there is a small local airport in a rural area, these display balloons help guide pilots when they are about to land on the runway. Other places where you might see these orbs are power lines that cross rivers, canyons, or ravines. In these locations, the poles are far apart and power lines may be difficult to distinguish from other objects and the landscape.

In addition to their use at airports, such balloons are used in other areas where aircraft may be a frequent sighting. For example, many hospitals have a helipad for speedy transfer of patients. Since a hospital is not located in the same way as a large airport, the balloons can be placed on power lines near the hospital to help pilots spot the hospital in time. If there are areas where emergency medical evacuation is common, the balloons can be used on lines in those areas as well.

Red balls are often used as warning indicator balls. While red is one of the most common colors for warning and hazard communication purposes, other colors are available. The color used is determined mainly by the surrounding landscape, and the color that stands out the most is applied. Many of these balls are red, white or orange. In many cases, you will see a combination of white and another color for better visibility. Variable colors help draw pilots' attention to the wires and change the course of the plane or other aircraft in time.

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I still don’t understand what kind of balls are strung on the power line wires in the place where the power line crosses the roads? Who knows?
I saw such things all the time, and in those places where power lines cross the road, there are none on the right or left.
Definitely not elements of road infrastructure: flow sensors, cameras, etc., they are located on special poles, not wires.
In general, I am still tormented by the question. Help!

Quote:
Well, you found a landmark :)) I’ll try to photograph them for you, Mikhail, if I don’t forget :)

2Nini,
Yes, exactly red or orange balls. If this is for airplane/helicopter pilots, then why are they strung in those places where the wires cross the road. In other places there is nothing on the wires. That is, they hang strictly in the span of wires that is above the road. In my opinion, it is illogical to land a helicopter on a highway if there is a field nearby.
Elena’s version seems more logical to me, that these are insulators, although I’m not sure.

Quote:
maybe so, but one day on the autobahn we got into a “dead and hopeless” traffic jam due to an accident that happened about a kilometer and a half from us. So, I myself saw a helicopter descending onto the highway with rescuers who quickly, if you can call it that, loaded up the especially seriously wounded to take them to the hospital. Probably, these balls are hanging for such emergency cases.

I will also express my humble opinion :)
Balls on power lines are a preventive measure against coronary discharges that interfere with radio signals (radio, mobile communications, ...) of cars passing under these lines. In fact, these balloons are hung not only and not so much over roads, since coronary discharges, in addition to the usual communication interference, also lead to loss of electricity. Apparently, in the Czech Republic the priority is communication.

However, how many of us, power engineers...
Colleagues saw it in the Czech Republic, I recently visited Italy.
People from science were also asked questions. Initially, there were assumptions that these were weather sensors, necessary, among other things, for melting ice. But their number does not fit into this assumption! So the question is open! :-)

perhaps these are multifunctional “devices” :-))) by the way, if these are markers for vehicles, then not for flying ones (they are located too low), but just for those driving along the highway - oversized vehicles such as containers, cranes, etc. where the height adjustment takes place. Well, the interference factor is also not ignored. We saw such balls in Italy and Spain, wherever power lines cross the route and in Germany.

PC Aston-Electrotechnika LLC is a leading Russian manufacturer of aviation barrier balloons that meet the requirements of STO JSC FGC UES 56947007-29.240.55.192-2014 “Technological Design Standards for Overhead Power Transmission Lines with Voltage 35-750 kV” and ICAO, “Appendix 14 .Airfields. Volume 1. Aerodrome Design and Operation,” 4th edition, July 2014. and GOST R 51177-98 “Linear fittings. General technical conditions".

Advanced technologies implemented in the design and production of pilot warning systems make it possible to achieve maximum efficiency both in terms of visual information content and in terms of manufacturability during installation and operation.

The unique development of aviation markers from the Russian manufacturer is the result of the creative efforts of engineers and technical specialists of PC Aston-Electrotechnika LLC, the practical implementation of import substitution programs.

Description
Aviation barrier marker balls are used to mark high-voltage wires in order to visually warn civil and military aviation pilots about the presence of power lines, especially those passing through water obstacles and gorges. Aviation barrage balloons for overhead lines are clearly visible against the background of any terrain.

The marker ball is made of fiberglass reinforced plastic and coated with a special compound that protects against ultraviolet radiation and fading.

Aviation markers for power lines are available in white, red and orange. Barrage balloons are located on the highest wire (cable) of the overhead line and are installed in an alternating color scheme of white and red or white and orange balloons, which ensures their best visibility.

Advantages
Fiberglass reinforced plastic is a high-strength material that is resistant to various atmospheric conditions and temperature changes. The climatic design corresponds to UHL1.
The mounting clamps are made of corrosion-resistant material.
The dimensions of the wire clamps are suitable for power line wires and cables of all existing diameters.
Water drainage holes prevent condensation from accumulating inside the balls.
The design features of the components reduce the cost of transporting disassembled balls.
A specially designed spiral protector on which the ball is installed ensures protection and safety of the wire (cable).
Marker balls do not require maintenance throughout their entire service life.

Application
Cable cables supporting guyed masts.
Main overhead lines.
Distribution networks.

For many, this question remains a mystery for many years. There are many assumptions and conjectures.
Scarecrow for birds. Small ones are placed inside the large ball. The moment a bird lands on the wire, it vibrates and the balls, like rattles, make a scaring sound. The birds are flying away.
Electricians' pockets for storing stashes. Each electrician has his own. So to speak, a personal safe protected by high voltage. Lightning transformer. Lightning strikes the ball and turns into electricity. In winter, such a transformer greatly facilitates the operation of power plants.
On sunny summer days, the wire heats up and stretches under its own weight. The balls contain a high-tech device that regulates the tension of the wire.
The ball is an anchor. Suppresses the swinging of wires in windy weather. This protects the line from short circuits.
Ball – connection. Used to connect two parts of cable.

Did you smile? And all these versions were voiced by “experts” who wanted to show off their knowledge.

In fact, everything is much simpler: these are wire markers. They come in different sizes and are usually red or orange. Used to make the wire visible. Installed near roads, fields, ponds and airports.

These marker balls allow birds and pilots of small aircraft (low-flying airplanes and helicopters) to notice the wires at a safe distance and not collide with them.

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