(SUDBURY, ON) Nearly 95% of Powerline “Pole Failures” happen at ground level, and Greater Sudbury Hydro is hoping a relatively new, non-destructive technology will help prioritize which poles in the system need replacing. The utility has hired a contractor, G-Tel from Oakville, Ontario, that uses the Polux® system to measure shell thickness, an indicator of pole strength.
“This is the first time we’ve used this technology,” said Mark Van De Rydt, Supervisor-Engineering with Greater Sudbury Hydro. “Getting information on the condition of our poles will help us plan our maintenance budgets and cycles. The largest power company in world, Electricité De France, has adopted the Polux® system and it’s certified ISO 9002. Best of all, it doesn’t damage the poles during testing.”
G-Tel workers will be testing all poles in Falconbridge, Coniston, Capreol, Sturgeon Falls and Cache Bay—in all, about 3000 poles. The testing will likely continue until mid-October, so the utility asks the public to be aware that contractors may be in their yards for a short time to do the testing.
“The average life of a wooden power pole is between 40 and 50 years, barring vehicle crashes, interference by woodpeckers or insects, or structural failure from rot,” said Van De Rydt. “The challenge is that we can’t see inside the pole, and this test, which only take a couple of minutes per pole, should give us an indication of whether that pole can safely remain in service, in its present condition.”