Bird electrocutions on power lines result from three interacting elements: biology, environment, and engineering. The biological and environmental components that influence electrocution risk include body size, habitat, prey, behavior, age, season, and weather.
Avian electrocutions typically occur on power lines with voltages less than 60 kilovolts (kV). Electrocution can occur when a bird simultaneously contacts electrical equipment either phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground.
Suggested Practices for Avian Protection on Power Lines: The State of the Art in 2006
PROBLEM 1
SINGLE PHASE: Corner Pole | Ground Pin
PROBLEM
1
PROBLEM 2
THREE PHASE: Two Conductors on one Side
PROBLEM
2
PROBLEM 3
THREE PHASE: Center Conductor on Pole
PROBLEM
3
PROBLEM 4
THREE PHASE: Double Dead End
PROBLEM
4
PROBLEM 5
THREE PHASE: Compact Design
PROBLEM
5
PROBLEM 6
THREE PHASE: Steel/Concrete Pole
PROBLEM
6
PROBLEM 7
CORNER POLE: Three Phase Distribution Corner
PROBLEM
7
PROBLEM 8
EQUIPMENT POLE: Single Phase Transformer
PROBLEM
8
PROBLEM 9
EQUIPMENT POLE: Three Phase Transformer Bank
PROBLEM
9
PROBLEM 10
RISER POLE: Cable Terminal Pole
PROBLEM
10
PROBLEM 11
TRANSMISSION: 69kV Wood Pole
PROBLEM
11
PROBLEM 12
TRANSMISSION: 69kV Steel Pole
PROBLEM
12
PROBLEM 13
TRANSMISSION: 115kV Double Circuit Steel Tower
PROBLEM
13
To Become a member please contact Rick Loughery for more information:
Understanding the nature of bird collisions is essential for minimizing them. Bird collisions with power lines result from a complex mixture of biological, environmental, and engineering factors. Biological characteristics include body size, weight, maneuverability, flight behavior, vision, age, sex, health, time of day, season, habitat, and habitat use. Environmental conditions include land uses, weather, visibility, lighting, and sudden disturbances.
Engineering aspects affecting collision risk include size of lines, line placement, line orientation, line configuration, structure type, and sometimes obstruction lighting under Federal Aviation Administration rules.
Reducing Avian Collisions with Power Lines: The State of the Art in 2012
RISK SITUATION 1
Line height extends above tree line
RISK SITUATION
1
RISK SITUATION
2
RISK SITUATION 2
Line bisects feeding and nesting areas
RISK SITUATION 3
Line bisects flight path with change in elevation
RISK SITUATION
3
RISK SITUATION 4
Line crosses river bisecting the flight path
RISK SITUATION
4
RISK SITUATION 5
Line bisects high-use marsh lands
RISK SITUATION
5
RISK SITUATION 6
Avian collision causes phase-to-phase contact
RISK SITUATION
6
To Become a member please contact Rick Loughery for more information:
