Temp poles?

[bbe]

Lately been seeing alot of temp poles that are just 10 feet out of the ground not the usual 12 to 14. Is it common place for most out there to just use a 12 foot pole, 2 feet in ground an braced thus leaving 10 feet out? I've always used 16 foot poles with 4 feet in the ground but with what i've been seeing thinking of going to 12 feet poles ie easier to move and transport. What do all of you think or what do you use. Always looking for an easier way just want to see if this is more the rule than the exception. Thanks an everyone have a Merry Christmas.

 

[bphgravity]

This particular issue is covered by our local utility provider. They provide us an "electrical service standard" which outlines the specifics for t-poles.

 

[ultramegabob]

I cant think of the last time I set an overhead fed temp pole, everything around here is fed underground anymore.

 

[billdozier]

Majority of our poles here are underground. We use a typical 8 ft pole. Hope this helps

 

[480sparky]

I have only one OH pole. Haven't used it in 3 or 4 years.

 

[bbe]

Here if the building is in a development its underground but when its just out in the country its still overhead. We're still mostly overhead but its changing fast... So can anyone tell me what size pole there using????

 

[benaround]

Majority of our poles here are underground. We use a typical 8 ft pole.

How do you string the wires ??

 

[ultramegabob]

Here if the building is in a development its underground but when its just out in the country its still overhead. We're still mostly overhead but its changing fast... So can anyone tell me what size pole there using????

Contact your local PoCo they should be able to give you a picture of what they want with specs...

 

[bbe]

I have the specs just have noticed people going from the usual 6x6 16 foot pole to a 4x4 12 foot pole and thought sure would be easier. Just wondering what others on here do in there neck of the woods?

 

[480sparky]

How do you string the wires ??

I don't. That's the Poco's job.

 

[ultramegabob]

I have the specs just have noticed people going from the usual 6x6 16 foot pole to a 4x4 12 foot pole and thought sure would be easier. Just wondering what others on here do in there neck of the woods?

I wouldnt pay any attention to what other people are doing, I would do whatever the PoCo told me to do, otherwise you are setting yourself up for liability issues if it falls over and someone gets hurt...

 

[billdozier]

we dont stub a 2 inch pipe down or hit utilities pipe coming out of ground and drive one ground rod were done poco pulls in wires to meter

 

[Cow]

I wouldnt pay any attention to what other people are doing, I would do whatever the PoCo told me to do, otherwise you are setting yourself up for liability issues if it falls over and someone gets hurt...

Yep, he needs the facts. Call the POCO.

As a sidenote, 2' in the ground for a 12' pole sounds shallow. Heck I build electrical stanchions out of 6x6x10's and put the legs 4' in the ground. If they fall over, it's because a rig hit it.:grin:

 

[BackInTheHabit]

Not to bust you buttons, but we could all help answer your question a lot more specifically if you noted where you were from. Some questions might be area specific.

Anyway, underground temp poles are the norm here. Occasionally you would need an overhead pole. I've built mine out of a 4x4x8 as per our local poco.

 

[ceb58]

In my area the poco has a standard for OH pole must be in ground 4ft with no less than 16 above grade and braced on two sides. So we are talking about a 20ft pole. Our underground temps must be no farther than 10ft away from pad mount transformer or pole mount transformer.

 

[bbe]

I was just wanting to see what others do when making temps as far as what size pole they use. Like I said earlier I have the specs for the poco in my area and sizes I asked about are legal just not what I was used to using. I have always used a 6x6x16 for an OH but had noticed others lately using 4x4x12 (braced) which is legal. Just wondered if that is what others used. Always felt that wasnt strong enough pole for an OH hoping others here could shine some light on it......

 

[480sparky]

I was just wanting to see ......

Here's one I still have out there....

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

The utility company generally has the last say about these types of installations.
In our area it varies for many reasons.
1. The POCO guy is inexperienced and does not know what to look for..these guys do both gas and electric.

2. The EI is inexperienced or just does not care.

3. Combination of 1&2.
or
4. The job is installed as per the POCO and the NEC.



Here are some pictures of what we see here.

These are some of my favorites.

Do you think the people were actually living there? The fire marshal was called in. He gave them 1 hour to get an electrician there to fix this or he would have the POCO disconnect it. The POCO truck was onsite in less than 15 minutes and sat there waiting for the EC. It was disconnected.




Here are a couple I took in Southern California.

 

[~Shado~]

As you might have found out...you wont always get a simple straight answer to whatever question you ask around here. You will get preaching, or stoning, or hint of the answer, or sidestepping, etc...and occasionally a few real answers. :roll:

So..here is my answer to your request:

I havent set a pole in several years, but when we did, it was sometimes a 4x4x12 set 3' in ground, braced, with 2" GRC extended 3' above pole. Mast knob set 1' below weatherhead. So point of attachment was 11' above ground.
Other times it was a 4x4x8 on cross legs like tree stand, GRC and the rest would be same.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

As you might have found out...you wont always get a simple straight answer to whatever question you ask around here. You will get preaching, or stoning, or hint of the answer, or sidestepping, etc...and occasionally a few real answers. :roll:

So..here is my answer to your request:

I havent set a pole in several years, but when we did, it was sometimes a 4x4x12 set 3' in ground, braced, with 2" GRC extended 3' above pole. Mast knob set 1' below weatherhead. So point of attachment was 11' above ground.
Other times it was a 4x4x8 on cross legs like tree stand, GRC and the rest would be same.

Your new here, in regards to posting. Start catching up to some of the heavy hitters here, and you will fit in nicely. :grin: