Power Poles – How to Maintain Them

Not many of us worry abut electricity, we all have them in our homes. Yet, making electricity travel from one place to another is a big job for two reasons - without the right equipment, there can be substantial loss of electricity and two, there should possess no threat when transferring electricity from one place to another. This is where a power pole comes into use.

What is a power pole?
While going on weekend trips we often find those ubiquitous iron or wood columns in busy locations with lots of wires dangling from them. These are the electric power poles which supply electricity to each and every corner of the country. They are made strong and sturdy so that they can withstand the vagaries of nature. Apart from being used to carry the power to individual homes, these long beams of wood or galvanised steel are also used on a temporary basis in commercial sites or construction sites. Sometimes the traditional single tall structure is also replaced by A shaped poles for more stability and longevity.

Maintaining power poles
In this article, we intend to educate you regarding the maintenance procedures of power poles. They are built on a strong foundation and are of robust structure, but still, they also suffer damage sometimes due to natural or due to human activities. Besides natural calamities such as cyclones and earthquakes, human incidents such as a car crash, collision or riots may also inflict significant damage to the power pole. So it is also extremely important to know when to call for power pole repairs.

As a consequence of the aforementioned causes, power poles get damaged and pose a serious hazard for all activities around itself. In case the damage is so heavy that the pole might collapse, it poses life threat for the people around who may be injured or killed due to the debris. However, faulty deteriorated poles can prove fatal as well. They may inflict extremely high voltage current to people coming in contact instantly killing them or may even lead to fires. Any unchecked damage may thus prove fatal for all passersby.

In the case any such damage is visible, you should contact the electricity department to come and disconnect the power or contact a Level 2 Electrician Sydney. The damage will then be assessed by the officials, and necessary repairmen and contractors will be contacted to carry out the repair work. However, an important thing to be noted is that under no circumstances should any untrained person be allowed to cut the power. Also, in case of fire, it is extremely important that the water is not used to try and douse the fire. It will have far reaching consequences and may be lethal for many.

So, it is important to be vigilant and keep an eye on the power poles on a regular basis. Just a regular visual examination will suffice. In the case of any visible damage it will be most appropriate to contact the electricity department.

Why Timber Power Poles are Preferred over Steel Power Poles

Austin Agnew runs a restaurant in Burwood, Sydney. Close to his restaurant there is power pole that has obtained damages in a recent accident, so he wants to get the damaged power pole replaced by a new timber power pole and have it re-installed by a licensed Level 2 Electrician.

Why timber power pole is preferred by Austin?

Using timber power poles considerably assists protecting the environment and at the same time it saves power costs.

Furthermore, timber power poles are 50 percent cheaper compared to steel power poles and accounts for only 25% of the cost of concrete pole.

The major benefit of using timber pole is it lowers carbon footprint. When a tree is converted and made into a power pole, the carbon remains in the timber product.

The other notable fact is that timber uses much less energy during construction than any other substitute. It consumes eight times less energy to make a tonne of timber than it takes to make a tonne of steel.

Undoubtedly, there would be a continuous demand for timber poles in the future and it will keep on rising as the State’s electricity distribution network expands. 

Due to the many advantages Timber Power Pole has to offer, Austin is in favour of re-installing timber power pole as a replacement for the damaged power pole, which is located close to his restaurant. He will certainly take the services of a licensed and experienced Level 2 Electrician in Sydney for replacing the damaged power pole.

Power Poles Should Be Maintained In Good Condition at All Times

Does your property have power poles within it?

A property pole is a pole that is located in your property's frontier, which holds the overhead power lines to your home or other structures within your property. Typically poles are made up of concrete, timber or steel, and they were at first setup on behalf of the property owner.

Who is the actual owner of property poles and who is accountable?

Property poles could be setup on both commercial as well as residential properties. Typically, the property owner owns the property poles and the power lines between these poles and other structures within the property’s boundary. The property owner is accountable for all the ongoing power pole repairs and maintenance.

However, poles owned by local power suppliers can be recognised by the power suppliers’ pole number, which is normally positioned 2 to 3 metres above the ground on the side of the poles.

How to maintain your property poles?

It is imperative to carry out regular checks and maintain property poles for security and safety reasons and help ensure the stability of energy supply. The property owner is responsible to execute these checks and any maintenance work involved.

Due to corrosion, termite damage or decay, eventually the pole’s foundation can deteriorate. If this happens, the pole may grow weaker, bend or collapse, and probably cause damage to the adjacent property or might injure people.

As a result of the fallen pole, it could bring down the power line that supplies power to your property. It can be lethal - until the pole is replaced fittingly by your electrical contractor, the fallen power lines will not only interrupt the power supply to your home but also it might kill people.

How to investigate, what to search for and what you need to do?

To ensure there is no sign of termites, decay, rust or other type of damage, regularly carry out inspection around the foundation of the pole.

In case, your pole has a cross arm [a structure that is attached near the crest of the pole that holds the power line] - just look at it staying on the ground level and scrutinise if it’s appearing in good condition.

Suppose, you find that the pole has got corrosion or pole’s foundation is starting to decay or something is not right with the cross arm or it’s general condition or safety of the pole, you need to contact level 2 electrician near to you and get them to inspect the pole and repair it if required. As far as the safety of the pole is concerned, don’t trust your own judgement.

Further to the above, at every 5 years, you need to have the pole examined by your local level 2 electrician.

10 Important Tips for the People who Work Near Overhead Power Lines

Electricians who work near the overhead power lines need to take immense care while they are performing work. Enumerated below are 10 important tips that can be very handy for electricians working near overhead power lines:

1. Investigate the place properly where the work needs to be performed and remain aware of the power lines especially when using long tools like ladders.
2. It’s vital not to work or use the equipment within the 10 feet of overhead lines. Don’t take any chances as it would be extremely dangerous if you don’t follow this 10 foot rule.
3. Good caution must be taken when working on the roof to execute work such as gutter cleaning, installation of the satellite dishes or any other type of patch up work.
4. If there are trees near power lines, never try to climb them as limbs and branches can turn or break away and eventually you could fall.
5. Don’t ever try to trim or cut trees that are located near to power lines just leave that work to a professional.
6. Nevertheless, how boring and dull it may seem always follow safety measures.
7. Don’t use metal ladders near power lines instead you need to use non-conducting type of ladders (that comply with Australian standards) for performing work near the energized power lines.
   
8. The people who work near overhead power lines should have good knowledge and training regarding handling emergency communication and know the right techniques for offering help to any person right after an electrical accident has occurred.
9. It’s highly advisable to make use of safety watches or spotters; helpful to keep a watch over the work and to communicate with the operator in order to make sure that the equipment never gets nearer than 10 feet of a power line.
10. When you find somebody who needs urgent help, right away Call 000 - the emergency helpline number. Never try to touch the victim because chances are there that you might be electrocuted.

AJI Electrics has Level 2 Electricians in Sydney who are licensed and experienced to execute all types of Level 2 electrical work including working on overhead power lines. AJI Electrics also provides emergency electrical services.

Ways to Assess a Professional Power Pole Repair Company for Your Needs

For business owners, it is important to ensure that every aspect of the workflow remains uninterrupted, irrespective of hassles that may crop up. No matter what industry your company belongs to, you cannot afford to be negligent about power supply and backup provisions. While most companies keep backup power provisions, it is also important that you hire service providers that can repair primary power supply related hassles. This is a mandatory part of an industrial set up. For this you need to select reliable and professional Power Pole Repair agencies.

You can search online for companies that offer small scale to large electrical repair and installation jobs for your business needs. These agencies may come in handy in many situations. Power supply in your company premises and facilities can get disrupted owing to unexpected natural disasters like thunderstorms and repairing power poles and cables on emergency basis may become urgency. These agencies offer Power Pole Installations and many allied service for their clients.

Get Power Poles Replaced before a Tragedy Strikes

Electrical power poles are the ubiquitous structures we see all around in cities and rural areas. These strong pillars are vehicles of high tension electric power that is ultimately distributed to individual properties. Apart from public distribution of power, other uses include temporary poles erected for builders and lightning poles in private properties, especially commercial ones. Types of Power Poles include those made from timber and galvanised steel as well as ‘A’ poles.

Here I want to tell about the safety measures connected with power poles and why it is necessary to call for Power Pole replacement. Despite standing on strong foundations and their seeming durability, power poles sometimes get damaged due to a number of reasons – human and natural – vehicular accidents, riots and arson, strong winds, storms and earthquakes, and the deterioration owing to effects of weather.