Tech Aims to Predict Problems on Power Lines Before Disaster

Tech Aims to Predict Problems on Power Lines Before Disaster
Flames from the Kincade Fire consume Soda Rock Winery in Healdsburg, Calif., on Oct 27, 2019. Noah Berger/AP Photo
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LOS ANGELES—B. Don Russell wasn’t thinking about preventing a wildfire when he developed a tool to detect power line problems before they cause equipment failures, blackouts or even deadly accidents.

The electrical engineering professor at Texas A&M University figured he might save a life if his creation could prevent someone from being electrocuted by a downed live wire.