subject: What Is The Function Of Transmission Poles? [print this page] What Is The Function Of Transmission Poles?
As I was browsing the internet for exciting snippets and posts, I stumbled across a web site with a rather disturbing picture of some type of an animal (it might have been a deer in the distant past?) on the top of a transmission pole and the tagline with the photo was as follows: The definition of a lousy day is getting hit by a train AND having your lifeless carcass flung on top of a transmission pole!
Transmission poles are not intended as kebab sticks for dead animals!
If a system of conductors conduct electrical power or signals from one point to the other, this is whats called a transmission line. In the case of telephone signals and electrical power, such termini will be supported up high in mid-air by using very long poles. These poles are called transmission poles.
The name of the poles hails from the actual function of the poles. If the poles are supporting telecommunications cables and equipment, this type of transmission pole will be known as a telephone pole. Oftentimes such poles support one or more type of signal, as a result the phrase transmission poles can be used more accurately to identify a pole that supports both electrical and telecommunication cabling and related devices.
These types of poles can be made from various different materials. Probably the most well-known materials remains wood, which must be treated to hold up against nature, decay and insects. Creosote is 1 of the materials which can be used to treat the timber. Other additives include chromated copper arsenate. As long as it is adequately treated, transmission poles have a very long life time and won't need to be replaced frequently (or ever!)
Eucalyptus trees are among the types of trees that are typically used for manufacturing transmission poles. This is a hardwood specie with a pretty high density and high modules of suppleness and rupture, meaning that the end product is usually a high quality pole which will adhere to even the most strict standards as set out by the various regulating bodies.
The procedure starts with the planting in well-managed plantations. When the trees are mature they are harvested and generally left to dry in the plantation for between 1.5 and 2 months.
The straight poles then get crosscut and graded according to a number of factors. These factors include the diameter, length and quality of the poles. Very strict prerequisites must usually be fulfilled, so just the best quality poles are ultimately used in the manufacturing process.
To ensure that the required moisture content is reached, poles are seasoned prior to being pressure treated (once more in accordance with rigid requirements). Thereafter poles are checked out for penetration and after the final bit of quality control these poles are stacked and ready to be routed off and later used as transmission poles or other utility poles.
The next time you answer your telephone just briefly think of the very long route that the "final product" had to journey from the plantation to the transmission pole to your ear...
