2. Machines

Power Pole Replacement 8/26/14

In our neighborhood, several plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles had been provided with charging stations and we were subsequently informed by PG&E that our electric power distribution service would have to be upgraded to support this increasing load. That upgrade would require the removal of the power pole closest to our house and the installation of a taller replacement with a new transformer. The distribution in the neighborhood would be split, with fewer homes per transformer in the final arrangement.
To facilitate this removal and installation, a rather large crane was provided that could be placed on the street in front of our house and reach all the way to the pole location. Additionally, since the pole height was being increased, the path required by the conductors had to be cleared of tree branches along the route.
The entire enterprise took only one day - an impressive performance.
These photos are (C) George Hamma 2014, all rights reserved.
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  • The day started with pruners climbing the trees to clear the path for the elevated wires.

    The day started with pruners climbing the trees to clear the path for the elevated wires.

  • Some digging around the existing pole would facilitate its loosening and removal.

    Some digging around the existing pole would facilitate its loosening and removal.

  • Branches were removed in the trees along the path to the new transformer.

    Branches were removed in the trees along the path to the new transformer.

  • The PG&E crew brought with them the replacement pole, carefully selected from the work yard. The first step was to turn off the power on the line to be changed.

    The PG&E crew brought with them the replacement pole, carefully selected from the work yard. The first step was to turn off the power on the line to be changed.

  • The equipment included the longest handled shovels and other tools I'd ever seen, which would be used to help out the old pole and prepare the resulting hole for the new pole.

    The equipment included the longest handled shovels and other tools I'd ever seen, which would be used to help out the old pole and prepare the resulting hole for the new pole.

  • In the morning a substantial crane arrived.

    In the morning a substantial crane arrived.

  • Clearly, the new distribution lines would be above the height of the house.

    Clearly, the new distribution lines would be above the height of the house.

  • The crane was place and its preparation for use begun - a lengthy procedure.

    The crane was place and its preparation for use begun - a lengthy procedure.

  • The crane crew was most considerate in its preparation.

    The crane crew was most considerate in its preparation.

  • The neighbors started gathering for the display.

    The neighbors started gathering for the display.

  • The crane took up a lot of space, so we had to get neighbors to move their cars so there would be enough room for traffic to pass by.

    The crane took up a lot of space, so we had to get neighbors to move their cars so there would be enough room for traffic to pass by.

  • The first task was to use one of the smaller cranes on a PG&E truck to pick up and place the new pole so arms to support the wires and brackets for the transformer could be installed.

    The first task was to use one of the smaller cranes on a PG&E truck to pick up and place the new pole so arms to support the wires and brackets for the transformer could be installed.

  • Meanwhile, in the back yard next door, the existing pole was prepared for removal, taking down the lines and cable TV cables and loosening the pole in the hole. A combination of lifting force, rocking, and rotating was necessary to get the pole to come out.

    Meanwhile, in the back yard next door, the existing pole was prepared for removal, taking down the lines and cable TV cables and loosening the pole in the hole. A combination of lifting force, rocking, and rotating was necessary to get the pole to come out.

  • The prepared new pole was hoisted and swung over the houses.

    The prepared new pole was hoisted and swung over the houses.

  • It's a long reach with a tall pole.

    It's a long reach with a tall pole.

  • The new pole was lifted and placed over the hole, which had been deepened and dug out to match the new pole.

    The new pole was lifted and placed over the hole, which had been deepened and dug out to match the new pole.

  • Dropping the pole in the hole.

    Dropping the pole in the hole.

  • Careful instructions by radio enabled dropping the pole smoothly in the hole, after which earth previously removed was added and tamped in place, observers with plumb bobs aiding in the vertical alignment.

    Careful instructions by radio enabled dropping the pole smoothly in the hole, after which earth previously removed was added and tamped in place, observers with plumb bobs aiding in the vertical alignment.

  • Final adjustments to line up the pole with the existing line.

    Final adjustments to line up the pole with the existing line.

  • Tamping in the soil and locking everything in place.

    Tamping in the soil and locking everything in place.

  • Dropping the new transformer onto the new pole.

    Dropping the new transformer onto the new pole.

  • Attaching the new high-voltage lines, wiring in the transformer, and restoring the low-voltage service connections.

    Attaching the new high-voltage lines, wiring in the transformer, and restoring the low-voltage service connections.

  • The last step will be installing fuses and hooking them up. All materials go up and down with ropes and pulleys.

    The last step will be installing fuses and hooking them up. All materials go up and down with ropes and pulleys.

  • This connection down the block distributes the service at that end.

    This connection down the block distributes the service at that end.

  • Final connections splitting the neighborhood service were the last step before turning on the power again.

    Final connections splitting the neighborhood service were the last step before turning on the power again.

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