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Locating radio interference

Contractor working for BC Hydro uses high tech devices

BC Hydro contractor Roy Charlesworth uses a parabolic reflector to locate arcing or other sources of radio interference on a power pole in Clearwater recently.

His vehicle behind him has a directional antenna on its roof that he used to determine which pole was Roy Charlesworth muggiving the problem. Warm, dry weather can increase the interference, he says, as any stray electricity is more likely to short to ground if the wood is wet.

Also, metal expands and wood shrinks, resulting in more chances for sparking.

Once he has located where the problem is, a crew will be sent in to fix it.

Charlesworth is a resident of Cloverdale but travels all over the province for the power utility.