Eversource Begins Aerial Inspections with Helicopter

BARNSTABLE – Eversource Energy is telling residents not be alarmed if they see or hear a helicopter flying low this week.

The white copter with blue-stripes will be used to perform aerial checks on the energy company’s electrical equipment rights-of-way throughout Eastern Massachusetts.

The craft is specially fitted with infrared heat sensors and other technologies which sense when electrical equipment is showing signs of deterioration or malfunction.

Eversource spokesman Mike Durand said these semiannual inspections keep their equipment functioning at a high capacity.

“Transmission lines are the backbone of the electric grid,” he said. “It’s important that we detect issues ahead of time, and this technology allows us to do that.”

Durand says one of the company’s biggest charges is improve service wherever possible.

The helicopter’s registration number reads “37WA.” For the most part, it will be flying over transmission structures and will not hover for long.

Flights began in Walpole Monday and are expected to reach the South Shore by mid-week.

The energy company said the copter should focus on the Cape by week’s end.