Regular replacement of wooden power poles is vital to maintaining the nation’s infrastructure and to preserving our health, safety, and convenience. Aging or damaged poles are liable to fail during challenging circumstances, such as storms and extreme weather, precisely when people need them most. When they fall, the heavy poles and the high-voltage current carried by the cables pose hazards to people nearby. Therefore, it is important to replace power poles that show signs of weakness. This allows us to avoid extended power outages which disrupt businesses and homes. Here are six signs that a wooden power pole is in danger of failing and may need to be replaced.
1- Visible Damage
Wood is susceptible to damage from a variety of sources. These include rot, corrosion, and thermal cracking. These conditions can often be observed by looking closely at the outer surface of a pole. If you see signs of rot, deep cracks, grooves, holes, or breaks, these may show that a pole needs to be replaced.
2- Insect Infestation
It’s not a surprise that many insects eat wood. Although wooden power poles are treated to ward off such insects, these protections can fail over time. Insects such as carpenter ants and termites bore deep into the wood, weakening it and making it more likely to collapse under stress. Signs of insect infestation include small round holes in a pole and piles of sawdust at its base.
3- Leaning
Wooden power poles are installed vertically, forming a ninety-degree angle with the ground. A pole that visibly leans in any direction is unstable and likely to topple. This can happen due to improper original installation, erosion or damage to the surrounding ground, or wind damage. Such poles should be evaluated for reinforcement, straightening, or replacement.
4- Damaged or Exposed Wires
Wires ought to have a protective covering, preserving them from the elements and protecting the area around them from electrical exposure. If the protective cover is visibly damaged, then repairs are necessary for safety and to preserve the electrical grid.
5- Damage to Crossarms and Insulators
The crossarms of power poles help them to bear the weight of power lines and other equipment. Insulators (often appearing as a series of cylinders or disks) prevent the poles and wires from damaging one another. Cracked or broken crossarms or insulators, left unrepaired, lead to greater damage later on.
6- Age
Power poles are intended to last for a limited time and to be replaced as needed. Even a pole that shows no signs of damage visible to the naked eye may need to be replaced if it has stood for too long. Poles that have been standing for over 50 years need to be regularly checked for soundness using hammer tests, bore tests, and sample drilling.
The resiliency of our power grid is vital to keeping our nation functioning and advancing into the twenty-first century. Looking to the future, companies are working all over the United States to protect our power grid and ensure that it is ready for the challenges of the future.