AstroElectric's photos

Typical 1990's-early 2010's CL&P specs, which has become very generic since countless lines in the past 10-20 years have been replaced with these (and the 8' crossarm equivalents), but I'd still gladly take this over fiberglass. Period. I believe this was taken in 2014, so I think CL&P still does on occasion or certain areas still use their previous specs, since they've begun (dreadfully) using fiberglass arms on everything. Also, I believe these poles are using the newest Hendrix insulators, which seem to look like a cross between the typical 15-35kV polymer insulators and porcelain skirted insulators. Source: Bing Maps

Typical 1970's-80's APS switch pole. NOTE: This pole is no longer standing, since this section of the line has been put underground during 2013.

NOTE: This pole is no longer standing, since this section of the line has been put underground during 2013.

Galvanized steel toothpick brackets! Many utilities could learn a thing or two by using good ol' reliable and durable steel brackets again. APS stopped using these brackets around 25 years ago. NOTE: This pole is no longer standing, since this section of the line has been put underground during 2013.

From back when APS came out with awesome constructions! Brown insulators on new constructions of course weren't uncommon back in the 1970's, at least with APS. I like also how the pole top is stored on the back side of the pole versus the usual side mounting. NOTE: This pole is no longer standing, since this section of the line has been put underground during 2013.

An older 1970's era APS pole with the neutral used as a shield wire. Many of the outskirt sections in the Phoenix region (and other parts of Arizona) utilize this technique. NOTE: This pole is no longer standing, since this section of the line has been put underground during 2013 (up to where you see the traffic signal).

An UGLY, soulless post-2000 APS pole, though it's not a common APS specification if I recall, since they use mostly grey steel poles. TEP (Tucson Electric Power) has these same monstrosities popping up all over their grid. NOTE: This pole has since been removed since this section of the line has been put underground during 2013. Kind of ironic and a good thing to happen to this pole!

1980's SRP construction! I love these double-circuit composite line posts and even more on wooden poles. This pole is probably from about 1985. Also SRP used to have more lines with double-circuit wooden crossarms with suspensions but most of them are all gone. SRP switched to this type of armless construction in the mid-to-late 1960's, while still using crossarms for just slack span unfortunately until about the 1980's.

Some older mid-1980's double-circuit composite line post poles in the background. In the foreground, you've got the steel double-circuit polymer yuk posts. I never cared for those polymer post steel poles. Many lines of them now plague lines that once featured pre-1966 older crossarms poles with suspensions or composite line post poles. New 69kV poles are completely steel now as of the late 1990's-early 2000's. Polymer posts have been a standard since between 1994-97.

I think this might be cedar? I've seen similar breeds of poles used with sub-transmission lines from the late-1960's / early 1970's which are grey. The most difficult ones I've had finding brandings.

A little tall this pole is, isn't it? : P But I wonder about the vintage it is but I reckon the 1950's-early 60's. I think it's cedar. I can't wait to check the poles of the 69 or 138kV line nearby with poles* similar to this. I also check for date nails but haven't found a single one in Eaton yet. *: Those long composite line post poles. There's a 69kV AND I believe a 138kV line in the vacinity. I'm going to check EVERY pole on the line along the street for brandings. Tough to find ANY markings on those types of poles but I'm sure there's something!

A well-designed alley arm replacing a nice 1950's pole with shifted insulator arrangement. I managed to get this in time before the line was continued to be worked on!

This replacement occurred during the late week of July and August of this year. It's turned into a nice well-designed double wooden crossarm slack span pole. The previous pole is of typical 1970's DP&L. DP&L still uses brace-clamped crossarms sometimes but it's nice seeing they still treat double crossarm constructions the right way!

A comparison shot of good CL&P construction and... This actually makes me concerned about WMECo, NSTAR, and PSNH, I'm thinking this a CL&P stand-alone decision. I'm actually a bigger fan of UI at this point! However, who knows how long it'll take until they catch on. :( Also, it looks like Google updated (rather several years late in updating the lower res imagery from '07-'09...) a lot of imagery finally. Makes me curious on the other nearby utilities and any possible change of standards.

UGLY!!!

I've always loved those corner poles with those chained brown disks, which looks to have originally been 27.6kV? No longer standing as of this year. : (

This pole was replaced with the fiberglass arm junction pole. Certainly a happier looking pole to me!