Ballet in the sky (Part II)
3 Feb 2012
Since "acrobats" began bolting together the pre-assembled arms of the pylons, work on the 400kV power line has provided some spectacular sights. 漏 CEA/Corinne Guis
Installing a 400kV power line requires, in the following order: a crane, a team of , a truck-mounted winch and, finally, a helicopter.
In difficult areas鈥攕uch as the ridge that separates the ITER site from CEA-Cadarache to the east of the present Headquarters Building鈥攈elicopters are used to position temporary "pulling cables" that will later be attached to the actual power cables and pulled by a ground-based winch.
"Pulling cables", positioned by the helicopter hovering above the ridge were safely attached to the temporary pulleys. 漏 Agence ITER France
Such an operation was organized last Wednesday 1 February after the sky had cleared following the previous day's heavy snowfall. "Pulling cables" were installed between pylon 18, located at CEA-Cadarache's highest point, and pylon 15, located close to canteen n掳2.
The same operation, this time between pylons 15 and 10, is scheduled for 28 February.
Work on the 400keV power line, which began in September, continues to provide spectacular entertainment.