Powerline Collisions & Bird Flight Diverters

Powerlines always pose a great threat to avian species worldwide. The ratio of avian mortality increases due to collision with powerlines, whether its electricity transmission tower or distribution networks.

The thrust of being more & more modernized, where electricity plays an important role, unfortunately, the major part of the world is found to be surrounded by threatening powerlines.

The Powerline network acts as a very dangerous barricade, as they lead to an effective hindrance between feeding and resting paths of avian species. The most common sufferer in the said cause are species with a huge body and low frontal vision. Weather conditions over the years also play a major role in increasing the risk of collision and led to increased mortality.


Collision is always considered as an effective cause of death different from electrocution. Avian species and agile birds which normally migrate during the night at an average height of 20-50 meters, flying in groups are found to be less affected in comparison to others. The probability of evaluation and mitigation of power transmission networks considered to be the most affecting features of avian mortality.


Others Factors affecting Avian species populations


  • Habitation

  • Destruction Of Breeding Colonies

  • Illegal Hunting

  • Collisions With Electric Power Lines.


Around the globe researchers well elaborated the said problems in multiple ways and also suggested the most suited line marking devices to reduce mortality due to collision with powerlines. Where Bird Diverter is the most common name always. Installing these bird diverters can be considered as the most effective as well as an economical solution when it comes to collision with powerlines.


Researchers also suggested that the below-mentioned scenarios for best possible results:-


  • Space between two Bird Diverters, fixed on power transmission lines near forests, water bodies, creeks, landfills, forest lands or areas which fall directly in flight path of avians should not be more than 5 meters.


  • Space between two Bird Diverters, fixed on power transmission lines , beyond 2 kms of forests, water bodies, creeks, landfills, forest lands or areas which fall directly in-flight path of avians, gap may go up to maximum 10 meters.


Performance of these diverters can be classified on the basis of their durability, stability as well as compatibility with the zone they have been used for. The  main idea of getting these simple devices installed on power transmission lines is to make them easily visible to avian species during their flight while migrating from one place to another, so that they are well aware of the obstacles in advance.

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FAQ - Bird Flight Diverter


Large birds, like flamingos, geese, swans and few endangered species, while migrating are at greatest risk. These birds can fly up to 135 kms per hour. (http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Swan)

Due to their size and speed, these birds cannot maneuver fast. It is estimated that average 33 million birds are killed due to transmission line collision in USA alone. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4081594/

Low light conditions during dawn and dusk limit visibility of electrical transmission line conductors. Even during day time, silver colour of conductor merges with horizon, diminishing visibility.

Migrating birds usually travel in flocks. Tail end birds are most vulnerable. The ones at the front obstruct the view of birds at the tail end. Tail end birds, who usually follow birds in their front, do not get chance to change their path at last moment and collide with transmission lines. These accidents are mostly fatal as birds lose consciousness and fall to ground from a great height.

A. IndoDivert works on all type of transmission lines and towers. Its selection does not depend on capacity of transmission line.

B. Model of IndoDivert™ is selected on the basis of wind pressure/ speed in respective area, where it is proposed to be installed.

C. Clamp size varies according to conductor diameter

IndoDivert™ comes with spring loaded clamp as well as fastener type clamp. Majorly, spring loaded clamps are used for convenience and fast clamping speed. Also, because spring loaded clamp can be mounted from a distance, as against fastener type clamp.

Our clamp design is patented.

i. We do not use metal clamps, as they increase conductive surface area of conductor and thus increase transmission loss.

ii. Mounting clamps are made using very high quality UV Stabilized, glass reinforced, weather resistant polymer, hence there are no transmission losses because of these. UV and weather resistance increase longevity.

iii. For uniform application of force by both arms of clamps, movement of clamp is controlled by polymeric gears. Non-corrosive material springs provide grip.

Installing IndoDivert™ is a very simple., though reaching installation point may be challenging.

After accessing installation point, it does not take more than 30 seconds to clamp IndoDivert™ on the conductor.

It is strongly recommended to fix IndoDivert on all conductors. When, diverter is fixed only on top (earth) conductor, it increases the risk of accident manifold. While migrating, birds fly at their best attainable altitude. Finding an obstruction, to avert accident, birds tend to dive down towards gravity, since diving down is comparatively easy (gravity helps) as compared to going up, against the gravity.

While diving downwards, birds steer themselves in between bunch of conductors which increases chances of accident multifold.

For double circuit, since phases are at same height level, we need not fix on both circuits. Fixing only on one circuit (one side) is enough. As per guidelines laid by WII vide their letter dated 4 Feb 2019 Wildlife Institute of India has instructed to install Bird Diverters on all phases and earth/OPGW cables.

As per guidelines of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, vide their letter number F.No. 6-104/2019 WL dated 29.08.2019, it has been instructed that spacing between bird flight diverters should not be more than 5m to 10m. It has also been advised that Bird Flight Diverter should be visible at night.

In case of new lines, it is advisable to install diverters before electrification, post stringing.

is possible to install IndoDivert on electrified lines, as well. Here diverters are installed by specially trained technicians.

Guidelines of Wild Life Institute of India say that, for maximum visibility, Bird Flight Diverters must be installed in staggered pattern.

• For example, if there are 4 rows of conductors (1 earth + 3 phases), then first diverter is hung on the top (earth) conductor at a distance of 2.5m from tower.

• 2nd diverter is hung on top phase conductor at a distance of approx. 2.5 meters from first diverter.

• 3rd on middle phase conductor, at a distance of approx 2.5 meters from 2nd diverter.

• 4th diverter is clamped on lowest conductor at a distance of 2.5 meters from 3rd diverter.

• Further all diverters are to be placed at a gap of 5 meters from the previous one, on the respective conductor.

IndoDivert is designed to dissipate wind energy and not to allow same to pass on to conductor. It’s spinning, swaying and swing actions disperse wind pressure very efficiently and effectively.

Average weight of IndoDivert ranges from 800gms to 1200gms (depending of model of IndoDivert)

In an average span of 300 meters (between two towers), at a gap of 10 meters (between two diverters), 29 diverters need to be placed, i.e approx. 29kg weight on conductor, scattered in 300 meters. This does not affect sagging.

This weight can be very easily borne by even OPGW conductor.

Our product range includes products like scary eye, balloons etc, but performance of Bird Marker and IndoDivert Bird Flight Diverter is far better.

Eyes notice moving objects more quickly than seeing stationery objects like scary balloons etc.

IndoDivert™ has dancing dangler which besides moving, flips and rotates, thus comes in notice from a distance.

It glows during dark and its reflector reflects Sun and Moon light, which increases its visibility.

Usage of balloons etc on transmission and signal lines has minimized after experiencing results of IndoDivert- Bird Flight Diverter.

Bird Marker/ Flappers

A. Flappers are designed for low wind pressure areas and for distribution lines up to 33 Kva.

B. Size of bird marker/ flapper is small

C. Bird Marker/ flapper usually are suspended using a ring, which does not allow this to rotate and sway. This only swings

IndoDivert: Bird Flight Diverter

A. Dangler of IndoDivert, due to its swaying and rotational motion, for sure gets noticed by birds.

B. Size of IndoDivert is adequately big… to be noticed easily, but not too big so as to reduce safe distance between conductors.

C. Disk of Bird Diverter rotates/ swings and sways. Rotational movement is assisted with bearings for longevity and precision. During Swaying movement, only stainless- steel parts come in contact with each other. Moving action helps want the bird from a great distance, about presence of obstruction in their flight path.
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