Why do electrical wires have balls on them

Most commonly found out in open areas, such as in the country away from cities, you may notice large red balls placed on electric wires. These balls are usually found in places where there really isn't much else around. They are an aerial warning that the power lines are there.

The large red balls that sit on power lines in the middle of the country are primarily meant to help airline pilots see the lines to avoid running into them. The balls are often found on the power lines surrounding smaller airports in open country.

Airports in cities do not often need these markers because power lines are kept far away from the airports and pilots can more easily see the runway and any obstacles that exist. When a smaller airport is located in the country the balls help guide the pilots as they come in to land.

Other places you may see these balls include power lines that cross rivers, canyons or ravines. In these locations, poles are far apart and the power lines can be hard to see between them. In addition to being used for airports, the red balls are used in other areas where aircraft may frequent. According to electricaltechnology. Each one usually weighs around 17 pounds. The Federal Aviation Administration requires marker balls on many of the power lines near airports.

You may also see them on electrical wires that cross a body of water or canyon. Some speculate that the purpose of the marker balls is to weigh down the power lines to avoid wild wind movement. Almost all of us have seen those colored mostly orange, yellow, red or white balls on transmission and distribution power lines. If you ever wonder what they are and why it is used for? They weight about 7. The diameter of the marker balls used on power lines and less extensive catenary wires those wires crossing a river, lake, canyon etc below 15m 50 feet should not be less than 51cm 20 inch.

For extensive catenary wires and power lines, the size should not less than 91cm 36 Inches. Aerial marker Balls are used for safety.

It saves lives and infrastructure by making guy wire and power lines Transmission, distribution and communication lines visible to the low flying helicopters, aircraft and plans according to the Federal Aviation Administration FFA. Some power lines marker balls glow due to electric field on the power lines.

In some cases, flashing marker balls are used on transmission poles, towers and power lines for clear visibility.