National Grid Helicopters To Inspect RI Electrical Lines

COVENTRY, RI — National Grid helicopters will be flying over parts of the state this week, inspecting electrical transmission lines, including in Coventry. The southern and coastal parts of the state will be covered on Tuesday, while the northern part of the state will be covered on Wednesday.

The inspectors will hover over the transmission structures to take high-resolution photos, Coventry police said. The photos are used in conjunction with ground-level inspections regularly completed by engineers.

Pilots are highly trained, and inspectors use high-powerd, gyroscopic binoculars and infrared technology to look for signs of wear, damaged structures, loose or broken wires, chipped or cracked insulators or overhanging trees.

The inspections are weather-dependent and are subject to change.