Power Line

**Kong** · 08-05-2011, 12:13 AM

A friend of mine has this weird thing attached to the power line in front of his house. He's kind of paranoid and thinks there might be a camera in it.

Can anyone help me help him identify it?

Photos
what is this thing - Imgur
what the F is this thing - Imgur

Thanks.

**Dojah** · 08-05-2011, 12:30 AM

Did he take the photos? If so in one of those shots there is partial website shown. A different angle of the website would be an easy way to see if no one knows what it is.

**Dudebro** · 08-05-2011, 01:07 AM

Dojah is right a better screenshot would show the website name. All I could get currently is ww.REM and their logo looks like a backwards R and U attached to it(kinda weird right, ru?).

I did a google search and the only relevant result was this-
Power Harvesting: Induction Magic | Educational Science Videos for Kids | Math, Engineering & Science Teaching Resources | LabTV
So yeah, seems a lot like what you have in that picture. Plus that panel in the front of the box most definitely looks like it's meant for a camera, possibly infrared.

Also a person made this comment on a related blog-

Quote:

One of the local drug cops once showed me a surveillance device that has been used for several years: a camera setup disguised as a transformer cylinder. They get the telco to install it and can monitor it remotely with ease.

Does your friend have any reason for law enforcement to watch him? If so you might wanna tell him his paranoia seems justified.

**tanc24** · 08-05-2011, 01:36 AM

I think if they wanted to use surveyllance on your friend, they would've used a more inconspicous camera.

That device definitely looks important, however. Maybe a new type of transformer, or MAYBE a camera device. If so, that camera could be used for a multitude of things.

**Dudebro** · 08-05-2011, 02:05 AM

Tanc, why would a transformer need a lens cover like in the pictures?

**tanc24** · 08-05-2011, 11:59 AM

What makes you so sure it's a lens cover? It could be additional ventilation. I have seen these kind of rectangular objects in the middle of power lines before, I just haven't seen such a modern version. I suspect it's nothing to worry about.

Again, if Kong's buddy is worried about surveillance, I think they would've taken a bit more stealth approach.

**joz** · 08-05-2011, 12:04 PM

It could be a sensor of some sort.

**bearhawk72** · 08-05-2011, 12:31 PM

The backwards R and U stands for Underwriters Laboratory

Quote:

For those who are not familiar with UL, Underwriters Laboratories (aka UL) is a trusted global agency dedicated to assuring product compliance between manufacturers, retailers and consumers, as well as other regulatory agencies. Over the past hundred years, UL has developed more than 1000 safety standards to protect consumers. Millions of products are regularly tested to ensure public safety and improve quality. There is no certification program more widely accepted or recognized by regulatory agencies, insurance companies or consumers!

**Dudebro** · 08-05-2011, 02:57 PM

Still seems fishy. Maybe they're filming an employee committing some kind of fraud?

**Slime Slayer** · 08-05-2011, 03:11 PM

My money is on it being a device that measures surges or just general power flow.

---------- Post added at 08:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:06 PM ----------

Are the lines heading into an area that's being developped by chance?

**Kong** · 08-05-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dojah

Did he take the photos?

Yes. I don't think a better angle of the sticker is possible. And...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearhawk72

The backwards R and U stands for Underwriters Laboratory

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudebro

Power Harvesting: Induction Magic | Educational Science Videos for Kids | Math, Engineering & Science Teaching Resources | LabTV

Interesting that anyone can create free electricity from the magnetic field created by powerlines. Creepy that the only use they thought of was spy cams and then they went ahead with the idea.

Quote:

Does your friend have any reason for law enforcement to watch him?

Just for noise violations and an illegal number of residents.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanc24

I think if they wanted to use surveyllance on your friend, they would've used a more inconspicous camera.

I don't know, I think most people would not notice, and if they notice not know it was a camera. Until the word got out and everyone was looking for them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanc24

What makes you so sure it's a lens cover? It could be additional ventilation.

I was thinking it was either ventilation or a lens cover.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevencassidy13

Are the lines heading into an area that's being developped by chance?

No. It points directly at my friends front door.

I went over there today and there was a piece of duct tape over the lens/vent.

problem solved I guess.

**Dudebro** · 08-05-2011, 05:14 PM

@Tanc- I'm no expert but that looks like a camera lens/protector for sure.

**Slime Slayer** · 08-05-2011, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudebro

@Tanc- I'm no expert but that looks like a camera lens/protector for sure.

Are you talking about the end of it with the 2 circular things? Or do you mean the meshy looking rectangular thing?

**Demon-Mask** · 08-05-2011, 09:16 PM

It does look somewhat like a camera, I think it may be.
Not 100%, more like seventy-five to eighty percent sure.

**Slime Slayer** · 08-05-2011, 09:19 PM

I'm leaning in the oppisite direction, 95% sure it is not a camera. If it is meant to be for secretive filming then obviously there is a retard running the show. Cameras can be made the size of the eraser on the end of a pencil these days.

**Dudebro** · 08-05-2011, 10:04 PM

Well presumably most of that bulk is the system that keeps it running off the powerline. You can't use a watch battery to power a camera indefinitely.

**bearhawk72** · 08-05-2011, 10:18 PM

I would think if it was a camera there'd be a better/easier place to put it instead of on high voltage wires

**Dudebro** · 08-05-2011, 10:34 PM

Like the Spanish inquisition, no one expects it.

**Demon-Mask** · 08-06-2011, 12:08 AM

There's an image for that:

**Slime Slayer** · 08-06-2011, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudebro

Like the Spanish inquisition, no one expects it.

So your idea is that they made it so obvious that nobody would suspect it?

**Dudebro** · 08-06-2011, 01:55 AM

No I think they did it assuming most people never look at power lines unless there's something wrong with them. I know I don't.

The part I linked talked about this exact kind of scenario. They have the local power company install it like any other piece of equipment and then they can just remotely watch it. It's high off the ground and people would have no reason to suspect it, ideally. No need to mess with it again unless something breaks, since it's powered by the lines. It's actually pretty brilliant I think. They also had a plan to make one that looks like a bird on a line complete with the ability to fly off take a pictures/video and then land again. That's creepy right?

**Slime Slayer** · 08-06-2011, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudebro

No I think they did it assuming most people never look at power lines unless there's something wrong with them. I know I don't.

I think people are more perceptive than you give them credit for. I would notice that thing immidiately.

**Dudebro** · 08-06-2011, 02:34 AM

It's not just me. That video I linked has one of the airforce tech guys talking about how it wouldn't be noticed most times because of the height and similarity to other equipment. No ones claiming it's perfect but I think it's safe to assume that a vast majority of people would never notice. It's not an insult either, why would they?

Also the ones they show in the video are smaller but those seem like they're for military purposes which means they can afford to make them smaller. The one Kong linked seems like it would be cheaper to produce and used by local law enforcement, that's why it's bigger and more obvious.

**DrunkN** · 08-12-2011, 11:26 PM

Hold on, where exactly is this power line? Is it right next to the road, by chance? If it is, I would assume it's just there to catch people speeding, or something, but all of the other theories mentioned so far sound plausible as well.

**RU Joe** · 08-13-2011, 01:10 AM