Drone that charges from power lines - GIF

[ToolTalkBot]

Drone that charges from power lines.




Previously:

Drone shot of an aircraft graveyard - GIF
Drone that flies and swims - GIF
Drone with avian-inspired legs - GIF
Drone-tethered fire hose - GIF
Fanning fire with a drone fail - GIF

[hemmjo]

That is still stealing power from the grid. It simply uses induction, rather than a physical connection.

[Saltfever]

Is it "stealing" if the drone is a tool owned by the power company to check its own wires?

[hemmjo]

Is it "stealing" if the drone is a tool owned by the power company to check its own wires?

No, that would simply be a cost of operation.

[odd one]

That is still stealing power from the grid. It simply uses induction, rather than a physical connection.

If it parked on the ground under the wires and charged "at a distance" would it still be stealing? I do not like how it attaches to the wire, that is trespassing. But if it charged at a distance, I would think that electromagnetic fields would be considered emissions/unavoidable waste and able to be collected without issue.
As a side question - Does interrupting the magnetic fields reduce the efficiency or overall power transmission from point a to b?

[hemmjo]

If it parked on the ground under the wires and charged "at a distance" would it still be stealing? I do not like how it attaches to the wire, that is trespassing. But if it charged at a distance, I would think that electromagnetic fields would be considered emissions/unavoidable waste and able to be collected without issue.
As a side question - Does interrupting the magnetic fields reduce the efficiency or overall power transmission from point a to b?

Yes, removing energy from the field around the conductor, is the same as taking energy directly from the conductor itself. The field around a conductor is in an equilibrium state. If you remove power from that field it is replaced by power from the conductor. It is no different than a transformer. There is no actual contact between the conductors.

Click to enlarge

[Frank S]

If it parked on the ground under the wires and charged "at a distance" would it still be stealing? I do not like how it attaches to the wire, that is trespassing. But if it charged at a distance, I would think that electromagnetic fields would be considered emissions/unavoidable waste and able to be collected without issue.
As a side question - Does interrupting the magnetic fields reduce the efficiency or overall power transmission from point a to b?

I think technically it could only be classed as steeling with actual physical contact. However just flying directly under a transmission line within the boundaries of the right-of-way with the intent of recharging the energy cells of a drone may have some legal consequences. Charged electrons under a high-tension distribution line are technical losses. These losses can be 22% of the total current carried along the powerlines. Atmospheric conditions can make these technical losses higher or lower depending on humidity barometric pressures and temperatures.
Here are just a few rabbit holes you might want to fall into
https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=105&t=3
https://www.4cleanair.org/wp-content...Chapter_10.pdf
https://electrical-engineering-porta...ission-lines-1