Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/1057016
NETWORK / 21 / DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019 "The information is captured on a bespoke laptop platform which was designed by the observers and WPD's mapping department," remarked Tutcher. "Upon completion of a patrol the data captured is merged to the asset database and made available to Network Ser - vices. More urgent defects or safety concerns will be immediately forwarded to either of the control rooms and the local offices from the aircra-." The unit is made up of 20 members of staff (observers, pilots, engineers) and a range of contract support staff. When conducting thermal patrols a forward looking infra-red Kelvin 275 thermal camera is used with a digital video recorder to detect hot spot faults. Used mainly on the 132kV and 33/66kV systems, this technique can also show heat coming from buildings to measure how energy efficient they are. The system also gives advance warning of potential faults, helping to improve fault re - cords, and ensures that WPD have an effective preventative maintenance policy. But what happens if something needs to be addressed quickly? "The Unit has an incident desk which is manned throughout the day and then a standby system during out of hours," notes Tutcher. "This allows anyone within Network Services to call for assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. During a normal working Fast facts l WPD's Helicopter Unit has flown 50,000 kilometres in the last year to inspect the overhead network - that's 1.25 times around the world. l The helicopter unit flew around 4,100 hours last year inspecting the overhead network. l Last year, WPD's helicopter team inspected half a million poles and pylons. l WPD's helicopters fly at heights of between 30 and 150 feet above the ground when on network patrol. WPD helicopters have an external lift capability of up to 750kg. Helicopters fly around 20ft from the asset being inspected although this does depend on voltage.