A Portable Total Station Solves Pain Points in Power Line Surveying
"Before, surveying power lines across mountains required carrying a total station up slopes and hills, and we could only measure a maximum of three tower foundations a day. Now, with the Onick 360AS, I can get all the data with just one hand," said Engineer Li, who has been engaged in power line surveying for 12 years, echoing the sentiments of countless colleagues. At high-voltage transmission line selection sites, complex terrain, dense vegetation, and difficult-to-reach locations are commonplace. Traditional surveying equipment is not only bulky and difficult to carry, but also often results in data gaps due to obstructed views.
The Onick 360AS's 2000-meter ultra-long measuring range perfectly solves this problem—even across a canyon, simply point it at the tower foundation on the opposite bank and press the measurement button; the slant distance data with 0.2-meter accuracy is instantly displayed. Combined with ±0.25° accuracy tilt angle measurement, horizontal distance and vertical height are automatically calculated. More importantly, its ability to measure the span between any two points in space is crucial. For towers in mountain valleys that are inaccessible directly, simply aim at both ends, and the device will automatically calculate the line span and height difference, increasing surveying efficiency in complex terrain by more than three times. The built-in 1200mAh lithium battery can complete 10,000 measurements on a full charge, eliminating concerns about battery life during high-intensity daily surveys.
A "safety sentinel" for line inspection, nipping potential problems in the bud.
Transmission line inspection is the first line of defense for power grid safety, and the accurate measurement of key data such as crossing points, conductor sag, and distance to ground directly affects the safe operation of the lines. During the summer peak electricity consumption period, a power supply bureau's inspection team used the Onick 360AS to complete a 15-kilometer line inspection before a rainstorm: for conductors crossing highways, the three-point height measurement function quickly confirmed whether the clearance distance met the standards; for lines affected by wind deflection, the 360° azimuth measurement was used to pinpoint the offset range; when tree obstructions were discovered, the minimum distance between the tree and the conductor was measured in real time, providing accurate data for clearing work.
"Previously, we used a measuring tape to estimate distances, which was inaccurate and dangerous. Now, we can accurately measure distances while standing in a safe area, and the vibration alert function tells us the data is valid as soon as it's triggered," said Inspector Zhang, pointing to the equipment. Its innovative high-transmittance lens coating allows for clear observation of targets even in cloudy or rainy weather, and its IP65 dustproof and waterproof design ensures stable operation in extreme environments ranging from -20℃ to 60℃, truly enabling worry-free all-weather inspections.
The "efficiency engine" of data interconnection opens up a closed management loop.
The accuracy of power operations is not only reflected in the measurement process but also relies on the efficient flow of data. Equipped with both Bluetooth and RS232 interfaces, the Onick 360AS serves as a crucial hub connecting on-site measurements with back-end management. In a substation expansion project, construction workers used Bluetooth to transmit data such as equipment spacing and installation slope measured by the device in real time to a PPC terminal, simultaneously uploading it to the power grid GIS system. This eliminated the need for manual recording and transcription, avoiding data errors and enabling real-time visibility of construction progress and quality control.
For field operations requiring GPS positioning, the device can directly output eccentricity measurement data to a GPS receiver. Combined with a positioning module with 3-5 meter accuracy, it easily links and archives tower coordinates with measurement data. This integrated "measurement-transmission-archiving" process reduced data analysis work from two days to two hours, significantly improving project management efficiency.
From Surveying to Operation and Maintenance: The Power Industry's "All-Round Partner"
From preliminary surveys of mountain power lines to daily inspections of urban power grids, and construction monitoring of substations, the Onick 360AS covers all scenarios of power operations with its "all-site" functionality: it's a lightweight rangefinder capable of capturing centimeter-level data; a practical angle measuring instrument capable of omnidirectional measurements of azimuth and slope; and an intelligent data terminal enabling real-time interconnection of measurement results.
In the wave of intelligent transformation in the power industry, the Onick 360AS, with its lightweight 246g body, shoulders the heavy responsibility of "precise measurement, safe operation, and efficient management," becoming a reliable partner for countless power industry workers on the front lines. As a purchasing manager of a power company said, "One device replaces multiple tools, reducing equipment costs and improving work quality; this is truly the professional equipment suitable for power industry workers."
