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Utility » Overview » Transmission Poles » Distribution Poles » SW (Sub-Transmission) Poles » Substation Structures » Combination Structures » Overview » Frequently Asked Questions » Distribution Poles Selection Guide » Comparisons » ANSI 05.1 » Pre-Drilled Poles » NESC Utility: Distribution Poles   Frequently Asked Questions Click on any question to reveal the answer. Please explain how steel poles can be called equivalent to wood poles, the materials are so different. Would you comment on the deterioration of wood verses steel? Are Steel Distribution poles on the approved RUS (REA) listing of materials? We will use the poles per the A1 and C1 REA applications. Are there any problems using steel distribution poles in these applications? Do steel poles have a provision for grounding equipment such as transformers, arresters, fuse cut-outs, etc.? Can we mount transformer racks directly to the pole? What precautions are required for installing steel poles during "hot insert" applications? Do you need to guy steel poles; and if so, how do you guy them? Can guy attachments be included on steel poles for attaching guy wires? What precautions are required for handling galvanized steel poles? Are name plates provided on the poles, and will utilities have problems with tagging the poles with the present lettering systems available? How many holes do steel poles come with as a standard? How difficult is it to drill holes in steel poles in the field? Does Valmont offer protective coatings for the embedded section? Under what conditions would you recommend this coating? Does Valmont recommend field application of Shrink-wrap for below grade protection? What finishes are available? Our standard practice for deadending 3 phase construction is to deadend the outer phases on the arm and the center phase on the pole. When we do this we take advantage of the insulating properties of the wood. What happens when we go to a steel pole, do we have to go to larger insulators? In the western U.S. there is a great deal of emphasis and effort on raptor protection. Will the use of steel poles pose a threat to raptors? What advantages would we as a utility have in purchasing our steel poles from Valmont instead of your competitor? How do we climb these poles when we have to? Does Valmont coat the inside of the poles with galvanizing or paint? How does the utility determine which class steel poles to use in place of a wood pole? What is the weight of steel poles in comparison to wood poles? What prevents a steel pole from sinking into the soil after it has been set in the ground? What is the maximum weight the steps can handle? How does the utility order these poles and specify any options? We presently are using the fiberglass crossarms on our wood construction, will we still be able to use these arms with steel poles? Will we need to purchase different bolts, washers, etc., in order to use steel poles? What is the delivery lead-time for steel poles? How thick is the pole wall? Will there be a problem with crushing the pole wall due to over tightening of the bolts? How many poles come on a truck load? Does Valmont use any special dunnage to separate the poles? Typical wood construction uses gains between the pole and the arm, is this required for steel poles? Are two piece poles available for use in areas inaccessible by trucks or other equipment? Is twisting or turning of a pole a problem?

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