What’s on that pole?
This illustration shows the basic equipment found on electric utility poles. The equipment varies according to the location and the service they provide.
- Primary wires
- Primary wires carry 7,200 volts of electricity from a substation. That voltage is 60 times higher than the voltage that runs through your home’s electrical outlets!
- Surge arrestor
- This protects the transformer from lightning strikes.
- Neutral wire
- The neutral wire acts as a line back to the substation and is tied to the ground, balancing the electricity on the system.
- Secondary service drop
- Carries 120/240-volts of electricity to consumers’ homes. It has two “hot” wires from the transformer and a bare “neutral” wire that’s connected to the ground wire on the pole.
- Ground wire
- The ground wire connects to the neutral wire to complete the circuit inside the transformer. It also directs electricity from lightning safely into the earth.
- Telephone, cable TV, and fiber wires
- These are typically the lowest wires on the pole.
- Insulators
- Insulators prevent energized wires from contacting each other or the pole.
Never nail posters or other items to utility poles. These create a safety hazard for lineworkers.
Original illustration by Erin Binkley
OTHER NEWS
Economic development projects are ahead for Dawson PPD
LEXINGTON, Feb. 12, 2024 - Dawson Public Power District’s February board agenda focused on the District’s future. Chris Bruns, Lincoln County Commissioner, spoke about the creation of the Nebraska International Port of the Plains and the larger industrial rail park...
Smith selected to represent Dawson PPD at Youth Tour
Kearney Catholic High School student Onyx Smith was selected to represent Dawson Public Power District at the Nebraska Rural Electric Association Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. Smith is the daughter of Todd and Jody Smith.
Dawson PPD’s financial responsibility is recognized
Feb. 5, 2024 - LEXINGTON, Neb. “I am pleased to announce that Dawson Public Power District received a significant bond rating upgrade from Standard & Poor's, moving from an A to an A+,” said Dawson PPD Board President Dan Muhlbach. “These bond upgrades are...