Western Power is using helicopters to boost insulator resilience across the network this summer, with about 13,000 poles throughout the Wheatbelt and Great Southern to be treated by live washing and siliconing insulators.
Executive Manager of Asset Management Gair Landsborough said washing and siliconing insulators was an effective pole top fire mitigation technique to minimise faults and resulting power outages for communities.
“Washing and siliconing insulators reduces dust and pollution build up which, when combined with light drizzling rain or misty damp conditions, can create paths or tracks on the insulators potentially leading to pole top fires,” Mr Landsborough said.
“We employ multiple pole top fire mitigation techniques as part of our comprehensive maintenance program including the replacement of poles, crossarms and insulators.
“Treating insulators is particularly effective in regional areas of the network where pollution, such as sea salt in coastal areas or dust from harvest periods, can impact infrastructure.”
Mr Landsborough said airborne electrical services specialists Aeropower had been contracted to carry out the live line washing and siliconing.
“Around 7,400 poles in Dumbleyung, Gnowangerup, Jerramungup, Katanning, Kent and Lake Grace have been completed with a further 5,900 poles in Lake Grace, Dumbleyung, Kondinin and Kulin being done in the next few months.”
This work is in addition to 12,700 poles treated across the network since September 2023.