S07 → N400

The Spike of Fascinating & Unexpected





SPIKE 53
→ ELECTRIC POLE.



© 1. Fremont Historical Society — The competing power poles for Seattle City Light and Puget Power were still an ungainly feature of Seattle neighbourhoods (1952) / 2. The Picture Art Collection/Alamy Stock Photo — Cables and power lines form an intricate pattern in the sky at Broadway near Pine Street (1910) / 3. Ilse Bing — Telegraph Pole / 4. unknown — A lineman, circa 1890s / 5. AP — On a telegraph building in Stockholm, Sweden (1895) / 6. Vilseskogen (flickr) — Old telegraph pole with glass insulators along the railroad in Endicott, NY, USA / 7. unknown — Power lines and supporting structure in a lane west of Main Street in Vancouver, British Columbia (1914) / 8. & 9. Tina Modotti — Telephone Wires, Mexico (1925) / 10. unknown — Pratt, Kansas (1911) / 11. unknown — Overhead telephone wiring on Broadway, New York (1903) / 12. unknown — A man attempts to clear snow from telephone lines amidst a Siberian winter (1960) / 13. SUN FireDefense — Utility Pole Fire Protection / 14. Alex Ellinghausen — Fallen power lines at Uarbry, east of Dunedoo, after the village was hit by the Sir Ivan fire / 15. Akira Yamaguchi — Electric Pole Series (2008).  

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An electric pole, also known as a utility pole or power pole, is a tall structure erected vertically to support overhead electrical wires and other utility cables, such as telephone lines and streetlights. These poles are a fundamental component of electrical distribution systems, facilitating the transmission of electricity. They are typically made of wood, metal, or concrete and are designed to withstand the weight of the cables they support, as well as environmental factors like wind, rain, and snow. They are anchored firmly into the ground to provide stability and reliability. At the top of the electric pole, cross-arms extend horizontally, providing a platform for mounting the electrical wires and other equipment. Insulators are installed on these cross-arms to prevent electricity from flowing into the pole and grounding it, ensuring the safe transmission of power. In addition to electrical wires, electric poles may also support various equipment, including transformers, switches, fuses, and metres, which are used to regulate and control the flow of electricity along the power lines.

Their installation and maintenance have given rise to unique professions and specialised skills. In the early days of electrification, the task of erecting and maintaining electric poles required a combination of physical strength, technical knowledge, and risk-taking bravery. Workers known as “linemen” or “line workers” were responsible for climbing poles, stringing wires, and troubleshooting electrical issues, often working in challenging weather conditions and at great heights. Partially burnt power line poles often occur and are typically the result of wildfires or other intense heat sources. Despite the outer charring, the structural integrity of these poles may remain intact if the core is unaffected. Utilities often assess the damage to determine if the poles can still be used or if they need replacement. Poles made from materials like wood, concrete, and steel have different susceptibilities to fire damage. 

Electrical poles have also inspired artistic creations around the world. In some places, such as Japan, where electric poles are ubiquitous in urban and rural landscapes, artists have found creative ways to incorporate them into their work. For example, there is a unique art form called “denchu kougei” or “electric pole art” in Japan, where artists transform ordinary electric poles into whimsical characters or objects by adding faces, arms, and other embellishments.




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→  Search log: Google images / Akira Yamaguchi - Electric Pole Series



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