What are those orange balls on some power lines?

Aviation marker balls don’t help with electricity flow or improve the efficiency of the power lines. But they do have a very important job.

By: Rui Bo, Missouri University of Science and Technology, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: August 29, 2026

Words: 1,067

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

By Rui Bo, Missouri University of Science and Technology

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.

What are those orange balls on some power lines? – Maggie, age 8, West Chester, Pennsylvania

Have you ever looked up while driving on a highway and spotted those big orange balls hanging on power lines? They …

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