Korail Gwangju Jeonnam Headquarters Uses Drones to Inspect Transmission Towers in Mountainous Areas

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The Korea Railroad Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters announced on the 14th that it conducted an inspection of transmission towers using drones in collaboration with the Drone Department of Suncheon Cheongam University.

Transmission towers are overhead power lines installed to supply electricity from KEPCO substations to railroad substations, most of which are located in mountainous areas.

The Korail Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters used to travel directly to the mountainous areas where the transmission lines are located to inspect and maintain them. However, since 2018, due to difficulties in access and risks of safety accidents such as falls, they have been inspecting transmission towers and power lines using drones.

The drones used for inspecting transmission lines are equipped with high-performance cameras with zoom functions and thermal imaging cameras that can detect abnormalities inside the facilities, allowing detailed inspection of parts that cannot be checked with the naked eye.

Suncheon Cheongam University also provided training to employees on drone maintenance technology and excellent drone piloting skills.

Through this industry-academic cooperation, Korail Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters plans to use the piloting skills learned to inspect electrical facilities installed in mountainous areas that are difficult for people to access, as well as key facilities of the electrified overhead lines being supplied with power, using drones.