Foxtech Provides Industrial Drone Solutions & UAV Payload Systems.
Introducing AeroClean F30: A 10MPa Drone Cleaning System for Power-Line Insulators
Contamination on transmission-line insulators can affect insulation performance and increase the risk of pollution flashover and power-line faults. However, cleaning insulators installed on high-voltage transmission towers is a demanding maintenance task, especially when equipment is located high above the ground or in areas that are difficult for workers and conventional machinery to access.
To provide power-grid maintenance teams with a more flexible cleaning method, Foxtech is introducing the AeroClean F30, a new drone-mounted insulator cleaning system developed for the DJI FlyCart 30.
Combining 10MPa water pressure, a spray distance of up to 10 meters, laser ranging, laser aiming, an adjustable nozzle, and remote PSDK control, AeroClean F30 allows operators to perform insulator cleaning from the ground while the drone carries the cleaning module to the required height.
What Problems Can Contaminated Insulators Cause?
Transmission-line insulators are continuously exposed to outdoor conditions. Dust, salt deposits, industrial contamination, and other surface pollutants can gradually accumulate on the insulator strings.
Under certain weather conditions, such as fog, drizzle, or high humidity, this contamination can become conductive and increase the risk of pollution flashover. Regular washing is therefore an important part of maintaining reliable insulation performance.
The challenge is that many insulators are installed at significant heights and may be difficult to reach using conventional ground equipment. Manual climbing and close-range high-altitude work can also introduce additional safety risks and preparation requirements.
AeroClean F30 is designed to bring high-pressure water cleaning directly to the insulators without requiring the primary operator to approach the target at height.
How Does AeroClean F30 Perform Aerial Cleaning?
AeroClean F30 is mounted on the DJI FlyCart 30, transforming the heavy-lift drone into a remote aerial cleaning platform.
During operation, the drone carries the main cleaning module and spray gun assembly toward the insulator string. The operator can then control the pump, adjust the nozzle direction, measure the target distance, and center the nozzle through the remote controller interface.
The system delivers up to 10MPa water pressure with a flow rate of 10 liters per minute. This high-pressure output helps remove dust, dirt, salt deposits, and other surface contamination from the insulator surface.
Instead of carrying workers or installing temporary access structures around every target, maintenance teams can deploy the cleaning system from an appropriate ground location and reposition it between different insulator areas.
Why Is a 10-Meter Spray Distance Important?
Cleaning distance is an important consideration when working around transmission-line equipment.
AeroClean F30 provides a water-jet range of up to 10 meters, allowing the drone to maintain a practical distance from the insulator while directing the water toward the contaminated surface.
This stand-off distance gives operators greater flexibility when selecting the drone’s cleaning position. It also reduces the need for the aircraft to remain immediately next to the insulator string or supporting tower structure.
Actual working distance should still be determined according to the insulator arrangement, wind conditions, required cleaning pressure, surrounding structures, and the safety procedures established by the local power authority.
How Do Laser Ranging and Aiming Improve the Workflow?
Estimating distance from an aerial camera image alone can be difficult, especially when the drone is operating around large transmission towers.
AeroClean F30 incorporates laser ranging and laser aiming to help operators judge the relationship between the spray nozzle and the target area. Its ranging system supports a measurement range of 0–30 meters.
This information can help the operator:
- Confirm the approximate distance to the insulator
- Select a more suitable spraying position
- Align the water jet with the target area
- Avoid operating unnecessarily close to surrounding structures
- Maintain a more consistent cleaning distance
Laser assistance does not replace the operator’s judgment or established electrical safety procedures, but it provides useful real-time information during aerial positioning and cleaning.
How Can the Nozzle Reach Different Parts of an Insulator String?
Insulator strings can contain multiple discs, complex profiles, and surfaces facing different directions. A fixed forward-facing nozzle may not cover every required area from a single flight position.
The AeroClean F30 nozzle can be adjusted upward, downward, left, and right. It supports ±25° multi-angle spraying, allowing the operator to direct the water jet toward different parts of the insulator without relying entirely on aircraft movement.
The system also provides one-key nozzle centering. After cleaning at an angle, the operator can return the nozzle to its central position quickly, simplifying alignment before moving to the next target.
Replaceable nozzles allow the spray configuration to be adapted according to the cleaning requirement. Together, these features help the system address different insulator arrangements and reduce unnecessary drone repositioning.
How Is the System Controlled?
AeroClean F30 supports PSDK-based control through the drone’s operating interface.
The operator can remotely manage:
- Water-pump activation
- Nozzle direction
- One-key nozzle centering
- Laser ranging
- Target alignment
Integrating these functions into the remote operation workflow helps the pilot coordinate flight and cleaning actions from the ground.
The water pump is powered by the DJI FlyCart 30 battery, so the aerial module does not require a separate pump power source. This helps simplify the onboard configuration and keeps the cleaning system integrated with the drone platform.
How Much Water Can the System Carry?
AeroClean F30 is equipped with a 35-liter water tank, but the tank’s physical capacity should not be confused with the maximum allowable water load during flight.
Because the actual payload depends on the DJI FlyCart 30 battery configuration, the specified maximum water loads are:
- Up to 20 liters when using a single-battery configuration
- Up to 10 liters when using a dual-battery configuration
Operators must calculate the total takeoff weight and select the appropriate water volume before every mission. Flight conditions, altitude, temperature, battery configuration, and other installed equipment should also be considered when planning the payload.
This distinction is important for customers evaluating cleaning coverage. The 35-liter tank offers storage capacity, while the actual fill level must remain within the aircraft’s applicable payload limits.
How Does the Foldable Design Support Field Deployment?
Power-line cleaning equipment may need to be transported between substations, transmission corridors, and other remote work areas.
The AeroClean F30 uses a foldable spray-rod structure to make transportation and storage more convenient. The system can be packed for field deployment and unfolded when preparing for operation.
This design is particularly useful for maintenance teams that work at multiple locations and need to transport the drone, cleaning module, water system, batteries, and supporting equipment together.
What Safety Requirements Should Operators Consider?
AeroClean F30 is designed to reduce the need for manual climbing and direct close-range work at height. However, drone-based insulator cleaning remains a specialized power-maintenance operation and must be planned carefully.
The system requires purified water with a conductivity of 0. Cleaning must also be carried out strictly according to the requirements of the relevant local power authority.
Before operation, teams should evaluate:
- Whether the line is energized or de-energized
- Required electrical clearance distances
- Local aviation and drone regulations
- Weather and wind conditions
- Pedestrian and vehicle control around the site
- Aircraft payload and battery configuration
- Water conductivity
- Emergency procedures
- Pilot and maintenance personnel qualifications
The drone and cleaning equipment should be operated only by properly trained personnel under an approved working procedure.
Who Is AeroClean F30 Designed For?
AeroClean F30 is intended for organizations responsible for maintaining high-voltage transmission infrastructure, including:
- Electric utility companies
- Power-grid maintenance departments
- Transmission-line service providers
- High-voltage insulator cleaning teams
- Industrial drone service companies
- Utility inspection and maintenance contractors
- Organizations developing UAV-based power-maintenance capabilities
It is particularly suitable for teams seeking a remotely operated cleaning method for high-altitude insulators that are difficult to reach with conventional equipment.
A New Aerial Solution for Insulator Maintenance
The launch of AeroClean F30 provides power-grid maintenance teams with a new way to approach transmission-line insulator cleaning.
By combining the mobility of DJI FlyCart 30 with 10MPa water pressure, a 10-meter spray range, 0–30-meter laser ranging, multi-angle nozzle control, and PSDK-based remote operation, the system brings cleaning capability directly to elevated insulator strings while keeping operators on the ground.
For utility companies and aerial service providers exploring drone-based maintenance, AeroClean F30 offers a practical platform for improving access, simplifying deployment, and reducing dependence on manual high-altitude cleaning methods.
