Oregon Power Poles

[Beachcomber]

Here in Oregon, when conductors are brought from the top of the pole
to an underground cable at the bottom of the pole, the PVC enclosure
of the conductors is mounted on standoffs of what looks like 4 - 8
inches so that the PVC (or whatever material is used) is not actually
touching the pole except for the supports. I have seen this done for
high voltage distribution (34.6 kV) but also for household service
entrances (240/120 V) voltage levels.

I'm curious to know why the standoff from the pole, I haven't seen
this in other states. Anybody know for sure?

It seems obvious that this is to protect the wooden pole some way, but
from what? Because of the cooler climate, Oregon has comparitively
less lighting than most other states. Many transmission circuits are
run without grounded static wires because of this. Does the standoff
make it easier to replace a damaged pole? Is it somehow a safer
installation?

Beachcomber

 

[Tim Perry]

Conduit risers are mounded on standoffs to provide space for climbing
the pole.

been quite a few years sence i have seen anyone climb a power pole... up up
and awayyyyy in the bucket lift.

 

[Tim Perry]

This is true. But there's still the occasional time that its easier to

climb.

A few months ago, I saw a line crew setting up to change a bad
transformer on a single phase lateral that had been rendered
inaccessible to standard bucket trucks due to construction. You could
walk in to the pole, but couldn't drive between a new building and a
creek. At 8 AM, they were setting up with a full line crew, a crane with
about 150 feet of reach and a bucket truck of similar dimensions. At
about 3 PM, they were still there.

I can remember the good old days, when a crew would tackle this kind of
job in a couple of hours by wheeling the transformer in/out with a hand
truck and rigging a block and tackle to a portable hoisting arm (I
forget what they called these things) and climbing. Figuring the
difference in cost between the former specialized equipment (that crane
alone probably rents for a few thousand $ a day with its own crew) and
maybe a couple of extra grunts on the ground for the latter, machinery
isn't always the cheapest way to get things done.

i have dealt with power companies in several of these united states. i have
found the service crews, without exception, to be highly trained in safety
procedures, professional acting, competent, suficiently equiped to handle
the task at hand.

not too long ago i had a reason to get a quote on a 100' crane rental. if i
recall correctly it was about $100/hr with a minimum delivery & operator
charge or $750/day.