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Pole Inspections

Pole Inspections Information

 

Throughout Australia there are over a million power poles.
They are made from a variety of materials that include:
  • Treated hardwood
  • Natural hardwood
  • Steel & concrete
  • Fabricated Steel
  • Spun Concrete
  • Steel Section
You Are Responsible For Your Private Power Poles
There are several hundreds of thousands privately owned power poles within NSW.
These are spread out within the customer’s property or could be just a one of private pole.
These poles are your responsibility to maintain.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the poles on your property are inspected
regularly and in serviceable condition.

 

 

Maintenance tips for all poles

 

 

  • You can contribute to the service life by assisting in the inspection process by caring out weed and bush removal around the base of the pole. Be warned, the regular wiper sniping around the base of steel pole can remove the galvanizing (protective coat) as this can significantly reduce the life of the pole.
  • Keep vegetation from growing into overhead power lines which can cause bush fires and death.
  • Report any problems to OHMS asap relating to poles leaning nuts and bolts, steel works hanging loosely
  • Do not build up ground around the base of the pole as this will hinder inspection process and allows pests to enter into the cell structure of the pole or in the case of steel can cause deterioration and rust. Please call OHMS to provide report including descriptions, ratings of pole and electrical line.
Maintaince Routine for the Most Common Type of Private Power Poles
 

Ohms recommends inspection of these poles every 12 months to determine there condition above and below ground. A small hole 13mm is drilled into the pole below ground level to determine if there is any heart rot evident. If so, the pole is treated with pole saver rods.

The pole is also inspected (non invasive) for the surface rot below ground depth of the external rot and the extent of the internal rot.
These are measured and this information is used to calculate remaining strength in the pole. When the pole strength is below safety standards and the pole is unserviceable recommendations for replacement within the report provided by OHMS.

 

 

 

 

Most deterioration of poles occurs in the first 200mm below ground level as this soil normally contains enough oxygen and moisture to promote fungi, dry rot, rust and termites.

Treated hardwood poles (Koppers)

CCA: These are the most common and the preferred type.
They have an expected life in excess of 40 years.
 
 
 

Natural Hardwood Poles

These have been often used for following reasons.

  • Low cost
  • Easy attainable
  • Often unknown species

OHMS Electrical Pole & Line Inspections

Cert no E/C NSW 0381
Patrolman/opp Cert no E/C NSW 2874
Live Line Cert no NSW 2367

Maintaince

These poles have a very short service life normally up to 7 years, often referred to as bush pole.
More intense maintaince required simular the maintaince program for treated pole.

Steel Poles

These are usually found as “A” poles at times switchboards may be attached. They have a service life up to 20 years depending on ground and service condition.

Maintenance

Steel poles are to be inspected within 3 year intervals. OHMS looks for signs of rust and degeneration of galvanizing and structural integrity of the pole

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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