We explain 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 Arrestors
These protect 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.
Insulators
Insulators prevent energized wires from contacting each other or the pole.
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, & Fiber Wires
These are typically the lowest wires on the pole.
Safety
Never nail posters or other items to utility poles. These create a safety hazard for lineworkers.
