Nowadays, with advancements in technology, we now know how important the role of telecom towers is to keep us all connected, whether the source of connection is mobile networks or internet access. But, to keep all the functions of telecom power intact, every telecom corporation has to perform proper inspection. Traditionally, this inspection was done by professional workers who used to climb up high on the tower to indicate any trouble, making inspection both dangerous and time-consuming.
With modern technology, telecom tower inspection has now become relatively easy because of the drones that are equipped with cameras and sensors to fly up to the towers and capture intricate data without harming anyone. But here, the most significant thing that is often overlooked is the weather conditions. Extreme weather conditions like strong winds and heavy rain can not just hinder inspection interpretation but also lead to serious accidents. In this blog, we are going to cover how one should operate drones successfully with some tips on the best practices to help you safely inspect telecom towers with drones.
Why Do Weather Conditions Matter?
Although, unlike traditional methods, no worker has to climb the tower to inspect its efficiency and work, there can still be some constraints for drones while it’s operating in extreme weather because drones rely solely on a stable flight with a clear vision in order to capture the best and most accurate data. Let’s assume that a drone is operating in high winds. Then, it can make it quite difficult for a drone to hover near a telecom. Heavy rainfall can damage the electronic components of a drone, making it challenging for operators to maintain the visual line of sight, hence reducing the quality of captured images.
Key Weather Conditions To Monitor Before Drone Inspection
Before a company is planning to conduct a detailed drone inspection, there are some key considerations to look at before starting the inspection process. Some of them are as follows.
Speed Of Wind
Since a drone has to fly in the wind to assess a telecom tower, there should be a proper way of analysing wind speed and direction. Drones are designed in a way that they can only operate in certain weather conditions, especially if they have a wind speed limit of 20-25 mph. Suppose any is exceeding this speed limit of wind; in that case, it can cause instability, making it difficult for a drone to maintain control and capture accurate data.
Examine Moisture
There are many drone manufacturing companies out there that claim that drones are not designed to be waterproof. Even the slightest water can seep into the device, ultimately damaging the internal parts. Such damages would not only lead to high-cost procedures but also will waste time and energy. So, always look up to the weather forecast before launching a drone in the air.
Temperature Extremes
Before planning to drive a drone into the air, make sure that there is no extreme weather. Here we are not just focusing on hot weather conditions but also the cold ones. Extreme hot weather conditions will overheat batteries but extreme cold will also reduce the capacity. So inspectors should properly examine the temperature ranges to ensure the efficient operation of drone inspection.
Low Lightnings
Drones are designed in a way that there are cameras in their vehicles; these cameras are responsible for taking visual graphics for any problem, be it wear or tear. However, the functionality of cameras would be of no use if there is no lighting. Hence, a visual line of sight is crucial for preventing collisions and ensuring proper compliance.
Tips To Safely Conduct Drone Inspection
To make the best use of any drone, inspect everything beforehand so there are no chances of any ambiguity before or in between the process. Do thorough planning like
- Check the weather forecast, including the wind speed, visibility analysis and precipitation.
- If there are poor weather conditions, then postpone drone inspection to avoid any unnecessary risks.
- Ensure the equipment before operating it in the air, and make sure that the batteries, propelled, and cameras are working fine and intact.
- Train operators so they can handle adverse weather conditions without panicking, including training on aborting missions if needed.
- Invest in wind meters, barometers and visibility sensors to get accurate wind insights on time.
Conclusion
No one can ignore the impact of wind if they want to have a safe and effective drone inspection of telecom towers. Ignoring the weather conditions can compromise both the quality and as well as the safety of drone inspections. By planning and choosing the right equipment while following all the tips that we have mentioned above, companies can lead to successful drone inspections.
