Transportation of wooden poles

Transporting of wooden poles can be a gruelling task for several reasons. The majority of cargo transportation is carried out via shipping containers which come in two standard sizes, 20 ft and 40ft. A 40ft container is 12 meters in size therefore telegraph poles and transmission poles cannot exceed this size. Telephone poles generally range from 8 to 12 meters therefore shipping these types of wooden poles isn’t a problem. Transmission poles which range from 12 meters to 25 meters prove to be difficult to transport meaning several other methods can be used. Break bulk shipping is the main method. With Break bulks shipping the wooden poles are loaded in bundles onto the deck of a vessel. This method of shipment is however far more costly. Creosoted wooden poles cause the biggest problem for suppliers. The majority of shipping lines will not take creosoted wooden poles because the oil leaks onto the ship deck which is very hard to clean, this is also the same for container shipments. All these obstacles make the supply of wooden poles challenging and expensive.

Wooden poles vs Steel poles

There is always going to be an in depth discussion on whether telegraph poles, transmission poles or telephone poles should be made of steel or wood. If you examine the advantages and disadvantages then this decision should be simple, or is it?

Wooden poles blend into their environment and are pleasing to the eye. Telegraph poles and telephone poles can be found on all residential roads and look far more pleasing than a galvanised steel pole, this can certainly be said when installed in the countryside. Wooden poles have a greater ultimate load which enables them to bend and curve in severe weather conditions whereas steel poles are rigid and fixed causing them to buckle under pressure. An advantage which many will see to be the most significant is that wooden poles are on average 100% cheaper than their steel counterparts. When a company is ordering close to 10,000 transmission poles and creosoted wooden poles this can be a huge saving.

We now need to take a look at the advantages of steel poles. A steel pole is manufactured to specification; this means that any size can be produced within reason. High voltage transmission poles need to be on average 30 meters, these wooden poles are 200 years old and are virtually impossible to find, if located they are normally government protected. Steel poles can be manufactured in less than 15 days if all the necessary raw materials are in place compared to a lead time of 6 months if the wooden poles are not in stock. This obviously enables contracting projects to be arranged and carried out in a very quick turnaround period. There are various grades of steel, these grades vary in their strength. The highest strength steel is far more robust than a medium sized wooden pole, however this type of steel is hard to find and extremely expensive.

From the above you can see that both wooden poles and steel poles have their own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of which to use is obviously that of preference, circumstance and of course cost.

What Controls Are Placed On Wood For Wooden Poles In The Telephone Pole Industry?

In order for a wooden utility pole to be approved for use around the world, there is certain controls (or requirements) that must be implemented to each product. These controls allow the wood to resist fungi, insects, and even fire.

One of the major controls that is placed on wood for wooden poles is Creosote. This is a preservative that is infused into the wood once the pole has been dried and the sap removed. The application of this preservative to the pole allows the wood to be sealed off and able to withstand the high voltage that passes through as well as natural environment changes.

However, some countries require a different type of preservative. No matter what the name, the function is still the same – to protect the wood and help it reach the maximum life span recommended.

In conclusion, just like everything else in the world, there is regulations and controls in place. That holds true for wooden poles. But by having these controls in place regarding the wood used on these poles, the poles can reach their maximum life span and help keep the community safe from damaged poles.

Why Is There Such A Demand For Wooden Utility Poles In The Telephone Pole Industry?

No matter where you go, you will see utility poles. They line our streets and help bring electricity, phones and even television to our homes. But why is the utility poles always wooden and why is there such a demand? Let's take a look at the reason.

Wooden utility poles are considered a product that can be recycled. The average lifespan of a wooden utility pole is around 40 years and once a pole has reached the end of being used, the product can be recycled into a variety of products. The same cannot be said for metal poles.

Another reason why wooden utility poles are in demand is that wooden poles provide a grounding for the amount of electricity that passes above. Without a solid, reliable grounding, the high voltage electricity could travel through the ground and pose a risk to drivers, pedestrians and animals.

Using wooden utility poles is not only a great option since the poles can be recycled once they are no longer needed, but they also provide a type of protection to everyone that passes near them.

Wooden poles, telegraph poles and transmission poles. Where do they come from?

Telegraph poles begin their life as a Pinus Sylvestris tree located in the vast forests of Eastern Europe where it has spent 40 years growing and maturing. Once the tree reaches its correct size, both in length and dimension it is cut down by harvesters. The wooden poles now undergo several processes which transform them into telegraph poles. Firstly the wooden poles are debarked and peeled using a very sophisticated machine that does not damage the sapwood. Telegraph poles and telephone poles found in the UK are very smooth but this is simply customer preference, transmission poles on the other hand are generally rough as these don’t have to be as visually pleasing. Once the wooden poles are debarked and pealed all that is left to do is cut them to size. Once all the wooden poles are correctly dressed and prepared they are ready over for impregnation.

Why do we creosote wooden poles, transmission poles and telephone poles?

Wooden poles have to be chemically treated to ensure they withstand the harsh environments in which they are located. Transmission poles can be installed in some very harsh environments, for example in the desert. These wooden poles must be able to withstand high winds, scorching sun and the constant barrage of sand. The main way in which we can protect these wooden poles is creosote impregnation. This process is simple yet effective creating creosoted wooden poles. The chemical creosote increases the life expectancy of wooden poles to 40 years and is the main choice for the majority of country authorities. Telephone poles in the UK and Ireland are also generally treated with creosote much to the dislike of some environmental campaigners who complain that the oil based chemical is harmful to the environment.

Wooden pole, transmission poles and telephone pole sizes

Wooden poles used for the energy sector range from 7 meters to 16 meters. This size of transmission poles is generally used for low voltage to medium voltage power lines however when the kV rating increases then a much larger wooden pole is used. The larger wooden pole is necessary to ensure that enough sag is created in the aluminium power cable. These transmission poles can range from anywhere between 18 meters to 26 meters. Telephone poles and telegraph poles size depends on the environment in which they are installed. The wooden pole size must be large enough to clear the surrounding houses and other buildings, approximately 12 meters.

Pinus Sylvestris for wooden poles

Pinus Sylvestris can be found in the vast forests of Eastern Europe. The wood from these trees can be used to create wooden poles which in turn are used in the energy sector. Wooden poles can be used as telegraph poles carrying telephone lines from house to house. They can also be used for transmission poles to carry low and high voltage power lines. Generally power lines are supported by creosoted wooden poles due to the harsh environments in which they are located. Telephone poles can be left untreated as the houses provide a barrier to the weathering that can be seen in the more open countryside.