What causes birds to get electrocuted?
A. Birds commonly use transmission towers and substations for perching, roosting and hunting. Birds could be at electrocution risk on smaller distribution poles and in substations where the electric phases are closer together, rather than on larger transmission structures where they are further apart. A bird is at electrocution risk if it contacts two energized components or an energized component and a grounded component. Q. What does AltaLink do to prevent bird electrocution? A. Since AltaLink does not operate distribution voltage power lines, pole electrocutions are rare. However, electrocutions can occur on lower voltage lines and in substations. To prevent this from happening AltaLink uses a variety of methods including cover-ups and anti-perch devices. AltaLink builds all new substations with the GreenJacket cover-up product which provides a barrier between birds and energized electrical equipment. As well, AltaLink is retrofitting high-risk substations with this product which is
