❓ A parliamentary question regarding Western Power's use of thermal and corona cameras for pole inspections, based on a 2006 report. The Minister denies the technology was used in helicopter patrols, citing cost and inconclusive results.
AnsweredQoN 625Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN POWER — POLE INSPECTION TECHNOLOGY
I refer to Western Power’s 2006 operational report, which states — Technology is also improving the efficiency of line inspections with the use of Thermal and Corona Cameras in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. These cameras register infra-red and ultra-violet rays to detect potential problems on pole-top equipment which could not otherwise be detected. (1) Was the minister aware that Western Power had used this technology when he gave his answer to question without notice 589 on Tuesday? (2) For how many years was this technology used; when was it cancelled; and for what reason? (3) What happened to the images and data collected from this technology? (4) Will the minister table a list of the country transmission lines where this technology was used? Hon PETER COLLIER
I refer to Western Power’s 2006 operational report, which states — Technology is also improving the efficiency of line inspections with the use of Thermal and Corona Cameras in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. These cameras register infra-red and ultra-violet rays to detect potential problems on pole-top equipment which could not otherwise be detected. (1) Was the minister aware that Western Power had used this technology when he gave his answer to question without notice 589 on Tuesday? (2) For how many years was this technology used; when was it cancelled; and for what reason? (3) What happened to the images and data collected from this technology? (4) Will the minister table a list of the country transmission lines where this technology was used? Hon PETER COLLIER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The paragraph included in the 2006 operational report describes technology available; it does not describe Western Power’s practices. Western Power uses high definition digital cameras on its helicopter patrols of transmission lines, which adequately capture required data relating to defective equipment and hardware. Corona cameras are very expensive and have been tested on lines and within substations, and results were not conclusive. Infra-red thermal camera technology is used for ground patrols on transmission lines. (2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
(2) For how many years was this technology used; when was it cancelled; and for what reason? (3) What happened to the images and data collected from this technology? (4) Will the minister table a list of the country transmission lines where this technology was used? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The paragraph included in the 2006 operational report describes technology available; it does not describe Western Power’s practices. Western Power uses high definition digital cameras on its helicopter patrols of transmission lines, which adequately capture required data relating to defective equipment and hardware. Corona cameras are very expensive and have been tested on lines and within substations, and results were not conclusive. Infra-red thermal camera technology is used for ground patrols on transmission lines. (2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
(3) What happened to the images and data collected from this technology? (4) Will the minister table a list of the country transmission lines where this technology was used? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The paragraph included in the 2006 operational report describes technology available; it does not describe Western Power’s practices. Western Power uses high definition digital cameras on its helicopter patrols of transmission lines, which adequately capture required data relating to defective equipment and hardware. Corona cameras are very expensive and have been tested on lines and within substations, and results were not conclusive. Infra-red thermal camera technology is used for ground patrols on transmission lines. (2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
(4) Will the minister table a list of the country transmission lines where this technology was used? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The paragraph included in the 2006 operational report describes technology available; it does not describe Western Power’s practices. Western Power uses high definition digital cameras on its helicopter patrols of transmission lines, which adequately capture required data relating to defective equipment and hardware. Corona cameras are very expensive and have been tested on lines and within substations, and results were not conclusive. Infra-red thermal camera technology is used for ground patrols on transmission lines. (2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The paragraph included in the 2006 operational report describes technology available; it does not describe Western Power’s practices. Western Power uses high definition digital cameras on its helicopter patrols of transmission lines, which adequately capture required data relating to defective equipment and hardware. Corona cameras are very expensive and have been tested on lines and within substations, and results were not conclusive. Infra-red thermal camera technology is used for ground patrols on transmission lines. (2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The paragraph included in the 2006 operational report describes technology available; it does not describe Western Power’s practices. Western Power uses high definition digital cameras on its helicopter patrols of transmission lines, which adequately capture required data relating to defective equipment and hardware. Corona cameras are very expensive and have been tested on lines and within substations, and results were not conclusive. Infra-red thermal camera technology is used for ground patrols on transmission lines. (2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
(1) The paragraph included in the 2006 operational report describes technology available; it does not describe Western Power’s practices. Western Power uses high definition digital cameras on its helicopter patrols of transmission lines, which adequately capture required data relating to defective equipment and hardware. Corona cameras are very expensive and have been tested on lines and within substations, and results were not conclusive. Infra-red thermal camera technology is used for ground patrols on transmission lines. (2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
(2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
(3)–(4) Not applicable.
(2) For how many years was this technology used; when was it cancelled; and for what reason? (3) What happened to the images and data collected from this technology? (4) Will the minister table a list of the country transmission lines where this technology was used? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The paragraph included in the 2006 operational report describes technology available; it does not describe Western Power’s practices. Western Power uses high definition digital cameras on its helicopter patrols of transmission lines, which adequately capture required data relating to defective equipment and hardware. Corona cameras are very expensive and have been tested on lines and within substations, and results were not conclusive. Infra-red thermal camera technology is used for ground patrols on transmission lines. (2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
(3) What happened to the images and data collected from this technology? (4) Will the minister table a list of the country transmission lines where this technology was used? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The paragraph included in the 2006 operational report describes technology available; it does not describe Western Power’s practices. Western Power uses high definition digital cameras on its helicopter patrols of transmission lines, which adequately capture required data relating to defective equipment and hardware. Corona cameras are very expensive and have been tested on lines and within substations, and results were not conclusive. Infra-red thermal camera technology is used for ground patrols on transmission lines. (2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
(4) Will the minister table a list of the country transmission lines where this technology was used? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The paragraph included in the 2006 operational report describes technology available; it does not describe Western Power’s practices. Western Power uses high definition digital cameras on its helicopter patrols of transmission lines, which adequately capture required data relating to defective equipment and hardware. Corona cameras are very expensive and have been tested on lines and within substations, and results were not conclusive. Infra-red thermal camera technology is used for ground patrols on transmission lines. (2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The paragraph included in the 2006 operational report describes technology available; it does not describe Western Power’s practices. Western Power uses high definition digital cameras on its helicopter patrols of transmission lines, which adequately capture required data relating to defective equipment and hardware. Corona cameras are very expensive and have been tested on lines and within substations, and results were not conclusive. Infra-red thermal camera technology is used for ground patrols on transmission lines. (2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The paragraph included in the 2006 operational report describes technology available; it does not describe Western Power’s practices. Western Power uses high definition digital cameras on its helicopter patrols of transmission lines, which adequately capture required data relating to defective equipment and hardware. Corona cameras are very expensive and have been tested on lines and within substations, and results were not conclusive. Infra-red thermal camera technology is used for ground patrols on transmission lines. (2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
(1) The paragraph included in the 2006 operational report describes technology available; it does not describe Western Power’s practices. Western Power uses high definition digital cameras on its helicopter patrols of transmission lines, which adequately capture required data relating to defective equipment and hardware. Corona cameras are very expensive and have been tested on lines and within substations, and results were not conclusive. Infra-red thermal camera technology is used for ground patrols on transmission lines. (2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
(2) This technology has been not used in helicopter patrols of the distribution and transmission networks. (3)–(4) Not applicable.
(3)–(4) Not applicable.
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