Plumbing a utility pole

[timswi]

I have a power pole that some years ago took a little shock when a tree fell on the right of way and the power company's pole moved. It's leaning a bit now due to that and some vines and branches that have grown onto the pole and wires. I have a tree guy coming next week to clear the power lines and clear things up. I have underground utilities from this pole to my house so there is cable guard running the length of the pole.

Any suggestions on how I can plumb the pole without messing with the cable guard, looks like 6-8 inches should do it. The pole is a standard resi pole, not a full blown utility company pole. Apx 20 feet sticking out of the ground.

 

[boomer1025]

Put a guide wire on it and pull it back in place with a turnbuckle

 

[radios1]

your electric company should fix that, it's their property right?.. mine would clear the area of trees and vines too!.. you never asked them?..

 

[3Ts]

My power company doesn't want us doing anything with their equipment which is everything on their side of the meter. They will come out and clean up whatever needs to be done. They will also trim trees beyond the power easement if there is risk of a tree falling on the lines. All you have to do is let them know and they come out right away.

 

[timswi]

I was thinking of the guy wire but was hoping for something a little simpler..The pole is mine, bought and installed by me. Our utility only maintains the overheads on resi props (at least that's my understanding since they put the overheads in to my pole) and they don't clear trees on resi properties unless it's threatening their transmission lines. With a $400/mo electric bill you'd think they'd take care of it.

I took the first 100' of overhead which is free from DQE to my pole, then I ran apx 175' more underground from the pole to the house, that's why the pole is my problem..

 

[3Ts]

In that case, i'd do the guy wire and turnbuckle approach. You don't have many options since you have wires and conduits attached to the pole.

 

[fried1765]

In that case, i'd do the guy wire and turnbuckle approach. You don't have many options since you have wires and conduits attached to the pole.

For: timswi
Have you actually contacted your electric company about this?
Even though the pole was "bought and installed" by you, it does have equipment attached, that is the property of the electric company.
If a guy wire is now to be attached (even at your expense) it would seem as though the electric company would have physical liability, even though YOU may actually own the pole.
If you were to get electrically hurt (or killed) while adding a guy wire, I think your electric company could be held liable for your injury/death.
I own ($12,000) all 8 poles on my property, but the electric company does all maintenance/repairs at no cost to me.

 

[skipperbrown]

Ask the power company for advice. I bet they take care of it for you. Working under live wires while stretching them needs to be carefully approached and the power company doesn't like customers getting killed working on their stuff. It's bad for business!

 

[Cord]

I was thinking of the guy wire but was hoping for something a little simpler..The pole is mine, bought and installed by me. Our utility only maintains the overheads on resi props (at least that's my understanding since they put the overheads in to my pole) and they don't clear trees on resi properties unless it's threatening their transmission lines. With a $400/mo electric bill you'd think they'd take care of it.

I took the first 100' of overhead which is free from DQE to my pole, then I ran apx 175' more underground from the pole to the house, that's why the pole is my problem..

Knowing this, I'd still call. Play dumb. They don't know where their work start-stops. You might get lucky and they will reset the pole. If that doesn't work, guy it. Obvious problem will be finding the parts retail (McMaster has some), but setting the earth anchor will be the real problem. Those go into the ground 6' and a normal auger won't have to the power to screw them in.

 

[GLyford]

Will the utility be willing to do the work for a fee?

 

[timswi]

Yeah, the ground anchor is the problem. The tree guy said he'd put the pole anchor in since he's bringing a bucket truck. I'll try the electric company but I'm pretty much betting it's going to be a resounding no. They love to charge obscene rates but there is little customer service.

 

[joeu235]

5/8" x 48", Eye Ground Anchor: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

[radios1]

5/8" x 48", Eye Ground Anchor: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

that's NOT something a non-professional should be installing on a live power pole.. sure, yes, you can buy it, but, you can't buy a life that may be lost..

 

[fried1765]

5/8" x 48", Eye Ground Anchor: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

That is a rather small earth anchor for a pole.
For safety sake .....Call your power company or a private utility installer.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I'm guessing that your power company has a tri-plex cable running to your pole, usually it's going to be #2stranded aluminum and it doesn't take a lot to hold it, if the pole was straight before the tree limb fell with no anchor holding it and if no one came and tightened or re-sagged the service it can be straightened back up . Dig down beside the pole on the side it needs to go to and either have your tree man push against the pole with his bucket truck or have him tie you a rope off at the top and hook it to your truck or tractor and ease it over a little more that straight up and down and take you some dry dirt and tamp it good and then tamp it some more, ease off of it and it will be good until the next big tree limb falls on it, one final note if the wire going to your pole IS NOT INSULATED TRI-PLEX SERVICE WIRE DISREGARD AND CALL THE POWER COMPANY.

 

[swnoel]

I just had 3 poles installed for a service and that anchor will be a waste of money... have it done right and safe! Will the power company charge you to make a phone call to them, if not make one and get their opinion of the situation.