Electric Transmission Pole Types and Standards Used in Your Country?

Hi Guys,
I am Erdem who am working electric transmmision and distribution in Turkey.
In here, We use A and k type electric pole,and I seach electric systems and electric pole in other country.
I saw that General country (especially EU and USA) use Wooden type pole that is so weak for example 9 metres turkish pole affords 175 kg peak force,Why do you use wooden pole?
In Turkey ,We use in straight transmisson 700 kg pole ,in angler higher than 1000kg .
What if do you share me your electric pole type and shape in your country?
Maybe , Can you share a pdf or doc about your system's electric standard book ?

Nice days

Erdem,

I do not work in electric transmission and distribution as you do, so take my comments as from a novice. I can't give you answers, but can share some of my personal observations - which might be wrong.

I work in northeastern USA where wooden utility poles are plentiful. Why are they used here? Probably because they grow on trees. 50, 100, or 150 years ago when they were erecting them, they were the best choice.

Understand the difference between the local low-voltage (<250 V) power distribution in residential neighborhoods, and high-voltage (12 KV and up) lines that go for miles. The HV lines are taller and use metal poles. The LV lines often use wooden poles. They tend to withstand all but the worst forces (such as a tornado). Why "fix" something that isn't broken? The wooden poles are not just a wooden stick planted in a hole in the ground. The wood is treated. That waterproofs it, but maybe strengthens it too.

Although residential utility poles are plentiful here (NE USA), they are uncommon elsewhere in USA where local utilities are often buried underground.

I don't know what the standards are, but there is some chance they are local. Understand the government is distributed over many levels (federal, state, county, city and town), and it might be that the standards for residential poles are set at the most local level, with guidance from the federal level. It is the town (and the primary utility company) that needs to maintain its utility poles within its boundaries, so they might set the standards. Or maybe not. Also, utility poles carry many services simultaneously (120V mains, 5KV AC, landline telephone, cable-TV, fiber, fire boxes, other signaling services) so it is a shared problem among many entities, one with primary ownership.

USA has something called NEC (National Electrical Code) but it is not a standard. It is a recommendation - which local governments CAN use or modify as their standard if they choose to do so. Also there is NESC (National Electrical Safety Code) which may be a standard but not a government standard.

Again, I do not work in this area so I have no skilled knowledge. Just observing what I see. I didn't want your question to go unanswered forever.

Regards,
Andy

In the USA and parts of the EU, wooden electric transmission poles are commonly used due to their cost-effectiveness, widespread availability, and environmental friendliness. The decision is influenced by regional engineering standards, emphasizing factors like renewable resources and biodegradability. While wooden poles may have lower load-bearing capacity than those used in Turkey, they meet safety requirements for specific voltage and environmental conditions. To obtain detailed information about electric pole types and standards in a specific country, it is advisable to contact local electric utilities, government agencies, or industry associations for relevant documentation or standards.

Hello Erdem,

It's interesting to learn about the differences in electric pole usage between countries. In many countries, wooden poles are commonly used due to their availability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of installation. However, in regions with higher load requirements like Turkey, stronger poles are necessary to support the infrastructure.

In the USA and some European countries, wooden poles are reinforced and treated to withstand the required loads. Additionally, alternative materials like steel and concrete are also used for electric poles in various applications.

If you're interested in learning more about electric pole types and standards in different countries, I recommend reaching out to local utility companies or government agencies for detailed information. They often provide technical documents and standards for reference.

Have a great day!