News:

Thank you for your patience during the Forum downtime while we upgraded the software. Welcome back and see this thread for some new features and other changes to the forum.

Main Menu

Who else has a fear of touching electric poles?

Started by Roadgeekteen, February 17, 2019, 09:31:36 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

roadfro

I've never had a fear of touching utility poles. But I used to have a fear of any guy wires that were used to stabilize the poles–my unknowing younger self thought that those wires was how the electricity got below ground.
Roadfro - AARoads Pacific Southwest moderator since 2010, Nevada roadgeek since 1983.


MNHighwayMan

#26
Quote from: roadfro on February 19, 2019, 12:08:26 AM
I've never had a fear of touching utility poles. But I used to have a fear of any guy wires that were used to stabilize the poles–my unknowing younger self thought that those wires was how the electricity got below ground.

When I was in elementary school, I had a teacher tell me to not touch a guy wire near the playground because she believed it could shock me. I was into electrical stuff from a young age and I knew that was wrong, but I quit being around it for fear of getting into trouble.

ErmineNotyours

#27
In Federal Way, Washington, there is a street running right under very menacing-looking power lines that crackle and buzz.  There used to be small signs right above the pedestrian signal actuators that said, "CAUTION - HIGH STATIC DISCHARGE."  Sooooo... do you press the button or not?  The signs have been removed, the buttons have been updated with devices that give vocal assistance.  Maybe they've gotten the static jolt problem under control, or maybe they've stopped worrying people about it.

MNHighwayMan

That's really odd. I can't see that as doing anything other than fomenting anxiety. Maybe it was problematic to people with implanted electronics (e.g. pacemakers?) I dunno.

On an unrelated subject, the traffic light to the right is bothersome with its three through signal heads all at different elevations.

jakeroot

Quote from: MNHighwayMan on February 19, 2019, 12:40:35 AM
On an unrelated subject, the traffic light to the right is bothersome with its three through signal heads all at different elevations.

If I recall correctly, when Federal Way went through about 15-ish years ago and started adding a bunch of supplemental signals to existing installs, some of the existing signals were moved for interim lane configurations, but never got moved back. Or, were missed in design reviews or something like that. New installs don't have the same problem, thankfully.

OT: I got a great shot of that ugly approach in this video I made showing how that approach uses a lagging FYA:

https://youtu.be/_idz1QzWQtg

MNHighwayMan

I just realized that it'd probably be just fine if they mounted the middle signal head between the top and middle sections, like all the rest, rather than between the middle and bottom sections. I wonder if it ended up being slightly too low mounted like that, and that's why it's all weird.

kalvado

Quote from: jakeroot on February 18, 2019, 06:05:32 PM

Now, with that said, virtually all telegraph (telephone?) poles around WA are wooden, and those don't naturally conduct electricity...being my practical self, I see no reason to fear a wooden pole.
Next thing you learn is that wet wood is a descent conductor. Especially once road salt is added to the equation...

ET21

The local weatherman, trust me I can be 99.9% right!
"Show where you're going, without forgetting where you're from"

Clinched:
IL: I-88, I-180, I-190, I-290, I-294, I-355, IL-390
IN: I-80, I-94
SD: I-190
WI: I-90, I-94
MI: I-94, I-196
MN: I-90

hbelkins

Metal transmission line posts are being used in my area at an ever-increasing frequency. Most recently, a new transmission line was built to serve the Oakdale substation for Licking Valley RECC, and all the posts are metal. Plus, Kentucky Utilities has replaced some older poles/posts on the transmission line between Richmond and Beattyville with metal ones.

I haven't seen a metal distribution line pole, however, other than in places where transmission and distribution lines share the same posts.


Government would be tolerable if not for politicians and bureaucrats.

kphoger

I work for the cable company.  We use the same poles.
Keep right except to pass.  Yes.  You.
Visit scenic Orleans County, NY!
Male pronouns, please.

Quote from: Philip K. DickIf you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use them.

jakeroot

Quote from: kalvado on February 19, 2019, 06:03:57 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on February 18, 2019, 06:05:32 PM
Now, with that said, virtually all telegraph (telephone?) poles around WA are wooden, and those don't naturally conduct electricity...being my practical self, I see no reason to fear a wooden pole.
Next thing you learn is that wet wood is a descent conductor. Especially once road salt is added to the equation...

Oh don't worry I got that ("don't naturally conduct electricity...").

hbelkins

Quote from: kalvado on February 19, 2019, 06:03:57 AM
Next thing you learn is that wet wood is a descent conductor.

So it only conducts electricity downhill?  :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D


Government would be tolerable if not for politicians and bureaucrats.

kalvado

Quote from: hbelkins on February 20, 2019, 02:15:33 PM
Quote from: kalvado on February 19, 2019, 06:03:57 AM
Next thing you learn is that wet wood is a descent conductor.

So it only conducts electricity downhill?  :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D
Of course, from the wires up there to the ground. Otherwise - why would the lightning ever strike a top of any tree? Only because electricity can flow down from there!

dcharlie

I'm only afraid of touching a metal one with my tongue in the winter!   :sombrero:  Thanks, A Christmas Story!

jakeroot

Quote from: dcharlie on February 20, 2019, 02:24:32 PM
I'm only afraid of touching a metal one with my tongue in the winter!   :sombrero:  Thanks, A Christmas Story!

Makes me think of Harry Dunne from Dumb and Dumber, though that was a metal ski lift.

abefroman329

Quote from: dcharlie on February 20, 2019, 02:24:32 PM
I'm only afraid of touching a metal one with my tongue in the winter!   :sombrero:  Thanks, A Christmas Story!
But what if someone double dog dared you?

dcharlie

I'm gonna have to hold out for the triple dog dare!

Hot Rod Hootenanny

I'm never going to answer anymore polls on this forum.
Please, don't sue Alex & Andy over what I wrote above

Roadgeekteen

God-emperor of Alanland, king of all the goats and goat-like creatures

Current Interstate map I am making:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1PEDVyNb1skhnkPkgXi8JMaaudM2zI-Y&ll=29.05778059819179%2C-82.48856825&z=5

hotdogPi

Quote from: Roadgeekteen on February 20, 2019, 04:49:54 PM
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on February 20, 2019, 03:52:18 PM
I'm never going to answer anymore polls on this forum.
This isn't a poll.

It is, however, a Pole. (The one shown here is not electric.)



@Hot Rod Hootenanny: If you don't vote for several years, Ohio will take you off the list.
Clinched, minus I-93 (I'm missing a few miles and my file is incorrect)

Traveled, plus US 13, 44, and 50, and several state routes

I will be in Burlington VT for the eclipse.

Brandon

"If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention." - Ramsay Bolton

"Symbolic of his struggle against reality." - Reg

Hot Rod Hootenanny

Quote from: 1 on February 20, 2019, 05:13:53 PM

@Hot Rod Hootenanny: If you don't vote for several years, Ohio will take you off the list.

Do you know what the difference between a poll and voting is?!
Please, don't sue Alex & Andy over what I wrote above

jakeroot

Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on February 20, 2019, 11:36:36 PM
Quote from: 1 on February 20, 2019, 05:13:53 PM

@Hot Rod Hootenanny: If you don't vote for several years, Ohio will take you off the list.

Do you know what the difference between a poll and voting is?!

Point is, don't be afraid to cast your vote, no matter the medium.

Henry

Wood poles, no. Metal, I used to be afraid of them as a kid because of the higher electrical capacity their wires carried and the "DANGER- KEEP OFF" labels.
Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey Chicago, what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today!



Opinions expressed here on belong solely to the poster and do not represent or reflect the opinions or beliefs of AARoads, its creators and/or associates.