I was walking through the bush recently and I noticed that there were cable towers separated by a valley. How would they get the cable between the towers when there is a cliff on either side?
from what I understand, a leading cable/rope is shot across the valley if the distance is not too great. The other end of the leading cable/rope is then attached to the main power cable. The end of the leading cable is then slowly strung through the transmission mast to pull the main cable across the valley.
From the high point a rope is thrown down. the workers pull this light rope to which a stronger steel wire is attached and then the power carrying wire is attached and pulled carefully over wheels so as not to scar the wire. Lots of sweat and hard work to get it done. and Yes Helicopters are used where they are available.
There once was a contest to see who could fly a kite across the Niagara river. The winner would receive a cash prize. The kite string was tied to a stronger string and pulled across. Each time a stronger string, then a rope, and then electric cable. Helicopters can be used instead of a kite, but they still use rope to pull the cable across because the metal in the cable is too heavy.
I doubt they use a rope to pull that cable. Even if they upsize the rope each time, it sounds as a waste of time to me. They have hellicopters that transport tanks now. I doubt that they can't carry the weight of a cable accross a valley. The kite story is cute, but I would say its great child reading material before bedtime....... lol:)
