![Inner Pole Testing Picture of a man using a device to check for wood decay on a utility pole.](https://dawsonpower.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/IMG_7612-scaled.jpg)
As a not-for-profit utility, Dawson PPD focuses on cost-effectively extending the life of its existing facilities while maintaining adequate levels of safety and reliability. Testing wooden poles helps the District ensure reliability and long life of its equipment, saving customers money in the long run.
Traditionally, pole testing involved a hammer for sounding, a shovel for digging around the base and drilling holes to test for decay. Today, Dawson PPD hires a contractor that uses a scientifically-based system called POLUX as a less-invasive and more accurate form of testing.
POLUX works by sending two, three inch long probes the size of an eight-penny nail into the base of the utility pole. This is the most vulnerable point where decay is most likely to occur on a pole. The probes measure resistance and moisture content of the pole. This information, along with the type of wood the pole is made of and how it was treated are run through a computer program with the pole’s GPS location recorded.
Typically, Dawson PPD uses a Southern Yellow Pine tree for its poles, which should have a resistance of 8,000 pounds per square inch when new. If the measurement falls below 50 percent of the recommended resistance, in this case 4,000 PSI, the pole is marked for replacement.
All of Dawson PPD’s poles are tested every 10 years on a rotating schedule with 10,000-11,000 poles tested annually.
OTHER NEWS
Year-round savings
Stay comfortable all year long with a rebate from Dawson PPD. Known as the EnergyWiseSM Program, customers are rewarded with incentives for making energy efficient improvements within their homes. The program is offered in partnership with Dawson PPD’s wholesale...
SmartHub: More than an online payment portal
Dawson PPD’s online payment portal, SmartHub, is the Swiss Army Knife for customers and electric utilities alike. The data it displays can help troubleshoot high bill concerns and show energy savings in near real time. The “my usage” tool within SmartHub allows...
Between the lines: The man on the pole
By Gwen Kautz, General Manager gkautz at dawsonpower.com 308-324-2386 This poem was provided by a Dawson PPD employee. Its source is unknown. The darkening dusk and thin driving snow make it feel much colder than two below. The wind rasps the snow like...