While driving along American roadways, especially near airports, many have wondered about the mysterious orange and white orbs that can be seen on top of the power lines.
They’re not just for decoration. In fact, they serve a vital purpose to keep residents safe.
Power lines carry high voltages of electricity to homes and businesses, making them crucial to any community. If they were to be damaged or hit, it could knock out power for thousands and even create a dangerous situation where a live wire is within reach.
So the white and orange balls are placed on the top wires of taller power lines, especially in areas where airplanes will be flying low, to make them easily recognizable to pilots, Missouri University Professor Rui Bo wrote for The Conversation.
‘They’re like bright warning signs in the sky, protecting pilots, passengers and people on the ground below,’ he wrote.
But unlike power lines, the big orange balls, which are the size of a large beach ball and weigh around 25 pounds, are not electricized.
‘They’re made of insulating materials, so electricity does not flow through them,’ Bo added.
They’re typically made of plastic or fiberglass, so they can last 10 to 15 years. And their orange color is deliberate, as it is easy for pilots to spot.
Orange balls can be seen on power lines, often in places where there are low flying aircrafts
The balls, which come in two halves, are the size of a large beach ball and weigh around 25 pounds
Missouri University Professor Rui Bo said the balls act as ‘warning signs’
The power lines themselves easily blend into the scenery of the houses and trees nearby, making it hard for pilots to avoid when they’re flying low to land at airports, so the brightly colored balls are essential to safe navigation.
The installation of the balls can be difficult, especially for very high power lines. It requires a specialized team, especially when a helicopter is involved.
The power lines are not turned off during installation, meaning high voltages of electricity continue to pass through them.
Depending on the height of the power line, a ground or air crew is required.
Ground crews use buckets to get up high enough to secure the ball, which comes in two halves, to the line.
Air crews, however, have to hover near the line while crews on the end of the helicopter connect it to the power line.
The balls themselves are made of plastic or fiberglass and do not conduct electricity, despite being on a live wire
One lower lines, it can be install via bucket truck, but on higher lines, one has to be attached to a helicopter to do so
The orange or white color of the ball is meant to be bright and easily visible to pilots
‘They don’t need much maintenance, but utilities inspect them from time to time to make sure they haven’t cracked or faded too much,’ Bo wrote.
Most neighborhood power lines are too low to need the balls.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Bo for comment.
