What is a utility pole?
A utility pole is a fine timber, metal, or concrete structure used to support overhead distribution lines and overhead communication lines.
Modern utility poles were designed in England in the mid-19th century.
Underground power lines presented a viable alternative to overhead lines. However, overhead power lines are still more common in cities and villages because they are cheaper.
Utility poles carry both power and communication cables.
Some have both types of lines, while others carry only one.
If the poles carry both distribution and communication lines, the former is placed above the latter for safety reasons.
For budgetary reasons, the distribution cables in overhead power lines are made of aluminum.
There are two types of power lines supported by poles: distribution feeders that carry electricity from substations to houses, and sub-transmission lines that connect local substations to large regional substations.
The technical difference between the two is that the sub-transmission lines have a higher voltage.
Power cables in overhead power lines
Aluminum overhead service drops duplex, triplex, and quadruplex cables are the main types of wire and cable used in overhead power distribution.
Quadruplex cables are three-phase cables with three aluminum conductors and a messenger wire for power lines.
Triplex cables have two conductors and a messenger wire for transmitting power from the power line to the premises.
Bare aluminum transmission ACSR, AAC, and AAAC are bare aluminum cables used in overhead power lines for the transmission of electricity. The variety of these cables comes from the difference in conductors.
AAC is pure aluminum and has good corrosion resistance and is often used in areas near water.
AAAC-ASTM-B is an aluminum alloy.
ACSR-ASTM-B is a cable with conductors reinforced with steel. It has greater durability and is often used for high-voltage lines.
Communication cables in public power lines
Coaxial cables are used to connect computer networks. CATV utility cables connect cable television.
Coaxial cables have been the preferred choice for overhead communication lines for decades. The reason for their popularity is that they carry signals at high speeds for long distances.
In addition, they are well shielded to protect them from crosstalk and electromagnetic interference.
Fiber optic cables are used for Internet and telephone connections. Fiber optic lines are much faster than coaxial lines and have a greater capacity. However, these lines are much more expensive for public data transmission, so they are not used everywhere.