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
Celebrating Engineering Week
Engineers week is February 16-22. These professionals are changing the world all the time with creative, practical solutions for things that matter. At Dawson PPD, we are proud to have an entire department dedicated to the engineering profession. The Engineering...
Between the lines: Strategic planning
By Gwen Kautz General Manager 308-324-2386 gkautz(at)dawsonpower.com In January, the board of directors and management team met with the goal to look at how we can better serve our customers and our company over the next three years. We talked about what do you...
Dawson PPD Board elects new officers
(January 20, 2020) Lexington, Neb. – The Dawson Public Power District Board of Directors voted in new officers at the January Board Meeting. The officers were sworn in and will begin their duties in February 2020. Each officer’s term is for one year. The new officers...