np_logo
  • Get Connected
    • Electricity
    • Fibre
    • Alternative Energy
  • Electricity
    • Services
    • Safety around the network
    • Our Electricity Network
    • Disclosures
    • Electricity distribution pricing
    • Helpful advice
    • Electricity in New Zealand
    • Faults and outages
    • Your Energy
  • Fibre
    • About Us
    • Partners
    • Agreements and Disclosures
    • Faults and outages
    • Helpful Advice
    • Register Your Interest
  • Services
    • Distribution
    • Transmission
    • Fibre
    • Gas
    • Inspection Solutions
  • Articles
    • Community
    • Fibre
    • Electricity
    • Solutions
    • Services
    • Company
    • Media
    • Sponsorships
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Safety
    • Suppliers to Northpower
    • Careers at Northpower
    • Publications and Disclosures
    • Legal Forms
    • COVID-19 Response
  • Contact Us
    • Online Forms
    • General Enquiries
    • Faults & Outages
    • Locations
    • Complaints
    • Anonymous Whistle Blower
  • Home
  • Articles
  • Solutions

UAV inspection at Ruakaka

Published 06 June 2017

Northpower has successfully been trialling the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology at our Ruakaka substation in Northland.

Ruakaka Sub Station Image

An innovative inspection solution

Aerial inspection technology offers the advantage of being able to view assets for potential damage or maintenance issues at much closer range than traditional ground-based inspection technology.

UAV inspections can also locate and identify maintenance issues in the early stages of deterioration. 

This allows for advanced maintenance scheduling and budgetary planning. It’s a safe way to inspect equipment and see real-time data.

Ruakaka substation defect identification

As the images below show, heavy corrosion has formed under the top cap of the pin insulator on ABS51. As a result, the surface on the top shed of the insulator is contaminated.

This surface contamination will eventually lead to surface tracking as a result of the reduced creepage distance of the insulator.

The galvanic corrosion under the top cap may result in insulator damage as the corrosion progresses.

  • Example of a defect found at Ruakaka substation using UAV technology.

  • Example of a defect found at Ruakaka substation using UAV technology.

  • Heavy corrosion has formed under the top cap of the pin insulator on ABS51. As a result of this corrosion, the surface on the top shed of the insulator is contaminated.

    This surface contamination will eventually lead to surface tracking as a result of the reduced creepage distance of the insulator.

    The galvanic corrosion under the top cap may result in insulator damage as the corrosion progresses.

Get in touch

Talk to us about how our UAV technology can be utilised in your business.

Contact us
Tags
  • Solutions
Solutions

Renewable Energy Zones – an opportunity for Northland

I Stock 953611974
Solutions

A new MAN truck for Northpower Contracting

Truck
  • Get Connected
  • Electricity
  • Fibre
  • Alternative Energy
  • Electricity
  • Services
  • Safety around the network
  • Our Electricity Network
  • Disclosures
  • Electricity distribution pricing
  • Helpful advice
  • Electricity in New Zealand
  • Faults and outages
  • Your Energy
  • Fibre
  • About Us
  • Partners
  • Agreements and Disclosures
  • Faults and outages
  • Helpful Advice
  • Register Your Interest
  • Services
  • Distribution
  • Transmission
  • Fibre
  • Gas
  • Inspection Solutions
  • Articles
  • Community
  • Fibre
  • Electricity
  • Solutions
  • Services
  • Company
  • Media
  • Sponsorships
  • Company
  • About Us
  • Safety
  • Suppliers to Northpower
  • Careers at Northpower
  • Publications and Disclosures
  • Legal Forms
  • COVID-19 Response
  • Contact Us
  • Online Forms
  • General Enquiries
  • Faults & Outages
  • Locations
  • Complaints
  • Anonymous Whistle Blower
24 hour electricity faults & outages

Kaipara & Whangarei, call: 0800 10 40 40

© Northpower Limited 2023
Terms of Use Privacy Statement Remote Access

Need to report an electricity outage?

If you’re in the Kaipara & Whangarei areas, please get in touch

Call 0800 10 40 40
Loading outage information…
Need to report a fibre outage?

Please contact your retail service provider.

What can we help
you find?

  • Get Connected
    Get Connected
    • Electricity
    • Fibre
    • Alternative Energy
  • Electricity
    Electricity
    • Services
    • Safety around the network
    • Our Electricity Network
    • Disclosures
    • Electricity distribution pricing
    • Helpful advice
    • Electricity in New Zealand
    • Faults and outages
    • Your Energy
  • Fibre
    Fibre
    • About Us
    • Partners
    • Agreements and Disclosures
    • Faults and outages
    • Helpful Advice
    • Register Your Interest
  • Services
    Services
    • Distribution
    • Transmission
    • Fibre
    • Gas
    • Inspection Solutions
  • Articles
    Articles
    • Community
    • Fibre
    • Electricity
    • Solutions
    • Services
    • Company
    • Media
    • Sponsorships
  • Company
    Company
    • About Us
    • Safety
    • Suppliers to Northpower
    • Careers at Northpower
    • Publications and Disclosures
    • Legal Forms
    • COVID-19 Response
  • Contact Us
    Contact Us
    • Online Forms
    • General Enquiries
    • Faults & Outages
    • Locations
    • Complaints
    • Anonymous Whistle Blower