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Home Page > Consumer Assistance > What's on a Utility Pole?

What's on a Utility Pole?

¿Qué es un Poste Eléctrico?

Learn about your neighborhood utility pole by moving your mouse over the diagram and clicking on one of the numbers. In the box below, text will appear to explain the various wires and attachments found on the common utility pole.

To View All Utility Pole Descriptions

Utility Pole

  • Poles range from 20-100 feet tall; the standard pole is 35 feet tall.
  • Popular pole trees include Douglas fir, Southern pine, and Western red cedar.
  • Poles are buried about 6 feet in the ground and spaced about 125 feet apart.
  • The wood pole's lifespan is about 30-40 years. Sounding, drilling, and coring inspections give information about the pole's condition.
  • Attachment weight, moisture content, vibration, and settling add stress to poles.
  • Utility poles may also be made of concrete, steel, or a fiberglass composite.
Utility Pole
 
Static Wire Grounding Conductor A - B - C Phase Transmission Supply Space Primary Step Down Transformer Multi-Grounded Neutral (MGN) Distribution Secondary Drop Zone - To Load Communication Worker Safety Zone Communications Space Communication Lines Utility Pole Vegetation Ground Rod



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Florida Public Service Commission
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Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850
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