What's with the orange balls on power lines?

I've been flight instructing for years. I've been in love with aviation my whole life. I read all the time. Yet I have never found a reference to the orange balls they hang on power lines near airports. My family tells me this is to "improve the visibility of the lines for pilots." If that's the case, why is it not in any publication I have ever come across?

What's with the orange balls on power lines?
Current Federal Aviation Regulations require proponents of new construction to notify the FAA of all structures proposed to be built to a height of 200 feet AGL or higher, and current FAA orders direct the FAA to recommend to proponents that an object proposed to be constructed between 200 feet AGL and 500 feet AGL be marked and/or lighted according to the standards of FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 70/7460-1J, "Obstruction Marking and Lighting." Marking standards contained in AC 70/7460-1J generally specify placement of conspicuously-colored (e.g. aviation orange, white, or yellow) spherical markers of not less than 36 inches diameter (or other shape markers of equivalent projected area), at intervals not to exceed 200 feet, on the highest wire of catenary structures which cross rivers.
Reply:i think its so planes can see them an not crash into them
Reply:Answer


These big orange balls on high power lines(high voltage transmission lines)are called Wire makers for warning small private airplanes flying at low altitudes for the presence of transmission lines.





FCC regulations mandate the use of high power flashing lights on high altitude towers, however, since these wires are at fairly low altitude the use or wire markers suffices.
Reply:Most the guys who've answered here have it right, in some form or another. They're basically for awareness for pilots to tell them there are power cables there, and also for birds so they don't fly in to them
Reply:decoration
Reply:good point i have always been told the same thing too maby its just soposed to be common knoledge
Reply:if you do not know why are you flying a plain you moron
Reply:I guess the assumption is that pilots are smart enough to know that the balls tell them a powerline is there. And they should CLIMB!!
Reply:they are for helicopters. you may notice them in rivens or along roads in open spaces . It helps helo pilots avoild power lines. they are the biggest causes of crashes.
Reply:Maybe because it's blatantly obvious?
Reply:What she said ^
Reply:So planes know where the power lines are.
Reply:that's what i heard
Reply:THE ORANGE BALLS ARE THERE SO WHEN THE WIND BLOWS THE POWER LINES DON'T SWING.
Reply:In mt opinion those balls are for stabilizing the power lines during high winds. for example, winds caused by aircraft passing low overhead.
Reply:I'm reminded years ago of the ad that ran continuously in Trade-A--Plane publication. "your ball's saved my life" obviously it was the intent of the inventor that the balls be used to visually identify the presence of power lines near a landing strip or farm field that is treated by aerial spray. Also they hang on power lines that transverse rivers , reservoirs etc. where it may be possible low flying aircraft may be in proximity.
Reply:I would seriously have to question your claim to be a CFI. This is basic information, spelled out in Aircraft Circulars. While a pilot might not be sure of the source, a CFI should know what publications contain this kind of info.
Reply:I think I would have to question your flight status buddy. I remember this from Ground School (albeit 20 years ago) and it is in all of the air circulars, etc. Terrain avoidance is pretty much 101 stuff.


AC 61-134 - Controlled Flight into Terrain Awareness





But have you seen the ones that glow? Those are too cool.
Reply:lol thats a question i asked my mom when i was like 3... its just for the planes to see them, just like the lines on the side of the road so you know where the edge is, its all for visibility stuff
Reply:I M, me plz