It seems that a common fixture as you drive along the roads are those large wooden poles that have wires hanging from them. Have you ever wondered what they are and if you need to be concerned about them? The poles are a necessary part of the infrastructure of your community and are the best way to move high voltage power to each house and business. These poles are set up along a path that is pre-set by the city or state. They are not a problem as long as they are in good shape and have not been compromised. The problem is that occasionally whether due to something hitting them or weather these poles can break, topple or lean. When this happens you are in danger if you get too close to them.
Burley Electrical Services Outlines What You Need to Know About Electric Utility Poles Near Your Home Or Business
Electric Utility Pole Types & Heights: These large poles are seen when you drive around town but have you really ever thought about what they mean. These poles are made most often from red cedar or Douglas fir. This type of wood is great to use for something that needs to be strong and can withstand the elements. There are also poles that are used that are concrete, metal and even fiberglass. The change to these materials is the upkeep is much simpler. The standard pole that you see is usually about 35 feet in height but there are some that can be as low as 20 feet and as high as 100 feet. The interesting thing about these poles is that they are generally set in the ground up to six feet deep. This is to secure them so they are not easily knocked over. They are spaced out along the road so that the cables and wires can be hung safely. What are the wires and why are they there is the next question.
Utility Pole Wire Identification: If you look at the utility poles and what is hung on them it may not mean anything to you but without them we are back in the dark. Literally you would be living in the dark with no media at all! The poles have wires that are high voltage and carry electricity up to 500 kilovolts which are not usable but can be converted down. There is also a transformer that is used to take the high volts to a lower volt that can be used in a house or business. The other wires that are hung are used for media that we all enjoy. They have television in the form of cable, your broadband and also telephone lines as well.
Need to Straighten Leaning Utility Poles & Other Dangers: If you are concerned about the utility poles that are around your house there are some things you can look for. One is if the pole has been damaged either from a car accident or weather. You want to stay away from the pole and any wires that are low hanging. Be sure to contact the emergency services to have it repaired and the danger stopped. You also may lose power to your home and it is a great idea to have your electrical system inspected by an electrician after the pole has been repaired.
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