How Level 2 Electricians Connect Private Power Poles to Public Lines

In areas where public lines do not stretch to your property, having a level 2 electrician install a private pole will be the best solution.

Private power poles are your supply of power – allowing your appliances and fixtures serve you at its best. Installing power poles is an alternative to a direct connection to the power supply of the street network, where it’s very unsafe. 

A private power pole is a private-owned source of electricity that connects your house to the public power supply by linking cables from the network pole to a private pole on your property. Private power poles help eliminate unflattering cables and help establish a more secure environment for surrounding trees, paths and roads.

In any case, before a level 2 electrician evaluates the suitability of an electrical power pole or a shared private electricity pole for your property, considerations have to be taken as to how they connect private power poles to public lines.

Following Guidelines for Private Power Poles

First, if you’re planning to have your private power pole, level 2 electricians should always discuss and secure the guidelines under NSW service and installation rules before installing your pole. These guidelines will help the local council legally approve your private pole installation.

Before mounting your power pole, here are some of the requirements to follow:

Private Power Poles Connect for Reasons

In building your pole, these are all the conditions:

• As an alternative to a road crossing pole
• Upon customer’s demand
• No suitable point of attachment (POA) for buildings
• Avoiding the crossing premises
• Excessive distance from electricity distributor’s pole to the building
• Provide the required clearance
• Supplying a battle-axe block

Labelling the Customer’s Private Pole

In identifying other power poles from the distributor’s line of energy, there must be a specific mark that this is a “private one”. The lettering must be at least 20 mm tall.

Soil Quality

It’s essential to check the soil where your power pole will be mounted. That’ll decide whether your poles will be securely fixed in the ground. There are three qualities of land to determine whether it is appropriate to install a private pole:

1. Poor- Mostly, it is soft clay, sands and soils poorly compacted. Such soil types tend to absorb large amounts of water.
2. Medium- Composed of compact medium clay, sandy loam, or bonded gravel and sand. A kind of soil that could drain surface water.
3. Good- It’s made up of well-compacted rock soil, hard clay and well-bonded gravel and sand. This type of soil has good surface water drainage. 

If the soil does not provide adequate support, the poles may be set to a greater depth than is typically needed. If still impossible, using a bearing block/shoes or flange mounting on a reinforced concrete structure can make it possible.

Securing the Pole’s Depth

It is necessary to consider the pole’s depth upon installing your power pole, which is at least 300 mm below ground level. This is important because of two reasons:

1. This makes the power pole more stable
2. Ensures your pole doesn’t collapse during an inspection

Checking the condition of the pole under the ground is the safest way to ensure that the power pole has not been damaged or decayed and does not pose a danger to public safety. Inspectors conducting an inspection of the power pole would need to remove at least 200 mm surface soil or concrete.

Installing the Best Pole 

Most level 2 electricians recommend two common types of power poles for private power pole installation towards the customers. Here are the poles and its qualities that’ll help you decide what’s best for your area.

Timber Private Power Poles

Private power poles made of hardwood timber have proved to be cheaper and long-lasting than private electric poles in steel. They are expected to last 30-40 years, depending on the environment. 

Unlike its counterpart, timber poles are non-conductive and therefore pose less risk to the surrounding area. They can be manufactured in several sizes, and provide a more natural-looking alternative than steel. 

Galvanised Steel Pole

Galvanised steel poles are the most common sizes that are smaller than timber; they typically reach a maximum height of 7.3 metres. It is rot and proof resistant making the lifespan range from 10 to 15 years. 

Also, the cables can run inside the steel pole, and steel-pipe poles must be capped at the top to prevent water entry. However, there are policies of some cable and electrical companies preventing from climbing steel poles as it might be rusted and corroded below the surface. 

Inspecting the Pole’s Stabilisation

When private poles are already installed, level 2 electricians run an inspection for the pole’s stabilisation. Although the process is critical, tests and inspections are still carried out to ensure that your pole is working properly and safely.

Conclusion

Private power poles make you have your source of power, especially when you’re far from the public lines. It makes your surroundings safer as it eliminates the dangerous cables hanging around your area. 

For more information and advice about the installation of private power poles, contact a level 2 electrician from Sutherland Shire Electrician for honest and affordable electrical services to every homeowner and business owner in Sutherland Shire.

With the outstanding amount of dedication that each of our team members gives in every operation, your electrical issue is treated with high-quality service, fast and without delays.

Call us at (02) 8378 2825 for an appointment or inquire with us via email.