ELECTRIC POWER POLES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5133, 1 June 1927, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER POLES

CONDITION IN BOARD’S AREA.

REPORT BY ENGINEER

At the Thames Valley Electric Power Board meeting on Thursday last the engineer submitted the following report on the board’s poles

“The annual examination of the board’s poles has just been completed, and the position disclosed may be regarded as quite satisfactory.

“The table below indicates the result of the examination, and shows tlie number of poles replaced, the number that appear should be replaced shortly, and the number that require watching. Last year’s report stated that at that time 52 poles required attention in the near future. However, only 31 were replaced during the year, and of this number four were- found to require replacing on account of top rot, which was discovered when the line was being reconstructed, and six on account of their being too small for the altered loading. In effect, of the 52 poles which were stated last year to need attention only 21 actually required replacing on account of ground rot. “On service lines eight poles were replaced during the year, and eight more are to be replaced shortly. All service poles are not inspected annually, but only when an inspection is made of the whole of a consumer’s installation, unless, of course, there is reason to believe poles may be defective, when a special examination is made. Generally, consumers keep a fairly close watch on their own poles, and ask to have them examined if they arc- in doubt as to theiu condition.

“The following is a summary of the position:— “Number of poles replaced during tile year: Paeroa. 11 : Te Arolii), 13; Matamata, 7. Total, 31. “Number of poles replaced to date : Paeroa, 46 ; Te Aroha, 19 ; Matamata, 8. Total, 73. “Number of poles to be replaced shortly : Paeroa, 18 ; Te Aroha, 14 ; Matamata, 22. Totql, 54.

“Number to be kept under observation : Paeroa, 19 ;Te Aroha, 1; Matamata. 23., Total, 43. “Tlie approximate number of poles erected is 19,200 on the board’s own lines and 9800 on services, a total of about 29,000 poles.

“The total number of, poles replaced on the board’s own lines and services is 81, or 0.28 per cent., which is one in 358.”