| More Resources: Buy Transformers Output Transformers Isolation Transformers AC Transformers Step Up Transformers Buck Boost Transformers | |||
Pole Transformer Home
Power Pole Transformer
Pole Transformer History
Power Pole History
European Transformers
Transformer Facts
Pole Transformer Glossary
Pad Mount Transformer
Other Transformer Types
|
Power Pole History
To the left is an original photo depicting telegraph poles along the railroad during the linking of the East and West. Power Pole History actually starts not with power transmission or distribution systems, but with the telegraph of the late 1700's and the 1800's. Literally dozens of processes for telegraphy were explored; some were single-wire systems, some double, and a few had multiple wires. Some systems allowed for burial or the wires and some suspended the wires in the air. As early as 1774 there were explorations into this field. Ultimately, a system that was reliable and relatively simple for use over long distances had to develop before it was practical to implement. In the US Morse's system prevailed and became the primary one in use, though a few others still had some application. Power Pole History was greatly influenced by one primary factor; insulation. Telegraphy systems were very sensitive to influences of the elements and its effects on the wires used. It was crucial for the signal to arrive unhampered at the opposite end, but efficiency of the power being used was limited and would be greatly affected by such things as condensation, rain, wind, contact with other conducting surfaces, etc. Therefore, a simple but effective method of providing protection against these factors was needed. Power Pole History might have been greatly altered had really good and cost-effective insulation impervious to water, abrasion and the other environmental influences been available. A natural latex product introduced at the time called gutta-percha was a highly successful coating that was used widely and almost exclusively up to very recently for submarine cables, but it fell on the suspension of wires and glass or ceramic insulators to do the job on land. This was probably due to the sensitivity of gutta-percha to deterioration in sunlight. There may also have been economic and supply factors. The introduction of gutta-percha came almost simultaneously with the rapid expanse of the telegraph system, so it may have been that Morse's use of poles preceded the time when gutta-percha would have been a viable option. Plus, there was still the factor of abrasion to coatings buried in the soil. All-in-all, poles won out and Power Pole History was set in stone; oops––wood, for the next several generations. It is unclear just when insulators were first added, but stories exist which tell of a telegraph line constructed in France around 1793. According to Power Pole History, the first insulators were of a beeswax-soaked rag wrapped around the wire. This was quickly discarded due to quickly breaking down under exposure to weather. Next came the glass knob mounted on a wood or metal pin. This evolved to a knob that was cemented onto a wood pin coated with an asphalted rag. But this version had inherent problems as extreme weather conditions could dry out and loosen the adhesive properties of the asphalted rag and the insulator and wire would pop off during storms or windy conditions; bringing the wires in contact with other conductive surfaces.
Iron
hooks or "Ramshorns" were used for some time despite their
propensity to short out. It is probable that the poor insulating
characteristics of iron in wood were as yet
not well understood. These
hooks might be a The Signal Corps used wood lances that were 10 to 12 feet in length and had a notch cut in the top to support the wire, which was almost certainly coated in gutta-percha. Such a measure was workable on the short term for military uses, but was not a good option for long-term use.
By the time of the establishment of electrical power in the 1880's telegraph pole design and insulation had developed to the point that it was a natural step to use this already existing technology and commercial structure to support power transmission and distribution systems. It is almost as if development of the telegraph pole anticipated the advent, and needs, of power transmission systems. From this point, Power Pole History essentially remained unchanged except for introduction of different sizes of poles and more recent advances in use of artificial materials to replace wood poles. It was also a natural development to place Power transformers on poles, rather than on the ground, so they could be safely out of the way and close to the lines they were to connect to. Recent demands by cities and populated areas for uninhibited and aesthetic views have brought about the use of Pad Mount Transformers and buried lines. Rural areas still rely heavily on this well-established technology of power poles and Power Pole Transformers. TEMCo is a major supplier of Pole Mount Transformers and Pad Mount Transformers and forwards the tradition of forward-looking development of safe and efficient products compatible with the long history of electrical service development and advancement. TEMCo carries a full line of Pole Transformers, with most products shipped within 24 hours. They not only supply quality Pole Transformers, but also offer the lowest prices, so call on the team at TEMCo to provide your Pole Transformer and other electrical transformer products! Find out why so many companies rely only on TEMCo!!
CALL TEMCo for all your Pole
Transformer
needs!! Remember to Bookmark Us: Power Pole History |
More Resources:
Power Transformer
TEMCo's team of experienced Variac specialists are standing by to assist you!
|
|
ttached
anywhere; to houses, trees, fence posts, etc. Despite the
normal use of actual poles as
introduced by Morse, scarcities, lack of finances, or cutting corners by
civilian installers would certainly have led to less than favorable
installation practices in some areas.
Modern
glass insulating techniques were established in 1865 by a carpenter named
Louis Cauvet who patented the threaded glass insulator that was essentially
used up to the present. Production and initial costs were more
involved, but the savings by virtue of its great efficiency in retaining
position on the pole through all sorts of conditions made it highly
practical and cost-efficient over the longer run.
