How do I select
and specify a Shakespeare Composite Structures Utility Pole?
The same
criteria are used to select a composite pole as for selecting
a wood pole. The class of wood
pole to be used for a particular application is dictated by the
National
Electrical Safety Code (ANSI C2). Select the class appropriate to
your application, and insert its properties in the Recommended
Specification for your project.
Engineering and
Specification Guide
What
factors have been incorporated into Shakespeare's pole ratings?
None. A
Shakespeare Composite Structures pole of Class 1 through Class 6
is exactly the same in strength as ANSI 05.1 requires of a wood pole.
I.E., a Class 1 pole has a cantilever strength of 4500 lbs., and so on
down the line. An important difference, however, is that the physical
dimensions of the various species of wood poles were derived from the
average
strength of the species, and all samples will not make it to the
strength level
of that class (hence the very conservative overload factors for wood
poles). All of our utility poles are designed to meet their class strength
rating as a minimum, not an average. In addition, the
strength of engineered composite poles does not change over time, so
the "Strength Compensation Factor" is unity, instead of 0.65 for wood
poles. The Required Load Rating for a Pole equals the Design Load times
the Overload Factor, divided by the Strength Compensation Factor (Ref:
Tables 253-1 and 261-1A, NESC - 2007 National Electric Safety Code).
See the formula on page 5 of our Pole Products Catalog.
Engineering and
Specification Guide
Can the poles be
field drilled, and how?
Yes, they
can. For small numbers of holes, an ordinary high-speed steel twist
drill can be used; carbide tipped bits should be used for larger
numbers of holes. Use steel bits, not wood boring bits. We can supply
poles
that are accurately pre-drilled to customer specifications.
Engineering and Specification Guide
What hardware and
climbing steps are used on Shakespeare poles,
and how are they attached?
The
climbing steps used are the Edison Electric Institute specification
number TD-15 steps. The EEI specification requires the steps to hold
350 lbs.
without permanent deformation. Our steps meet the 750-lb.requirement of
the
Alabama Power Company. All structural attachments are mounted using
through
bolts.
Engineering and Specification Guide
What
are the fatigue
failure characteristics of composite poles?
Our
engineers have not been able to induce any type of fatigue failure in
a fiberglass laminate. Even with sharp notches machined into the
surface in an effort to initiate a crack, no fatigue failure occurred.
Engineering and Specification
Guide
Can
Shakespeare utility poles be stored and transported in the same manner
as wood
Poles?
Yes. The
only consideration is that composite poles should be handled with
a little more care than wood in order to protect the surface of the
pole. Nylon straps should be used for binding, choking and lifting,
instead of steel cables and chains. The poles can even be transported
using the
same pole trailers that are currently used for wood poles, provided
chain and cable binders are replaced with nylon and the cradles are
lined
with nylon webbing or a similar material.
Engineering and
Specification Guide
How
are Shakespeare composite poles marked?
All poles
are shipped with an aluminum ID tag, permantly mounted on the pole,
located 10' from the butt - or at another location specified by the
customer.
Tag information includes the manufacturer's name, pole class, pole
length,
and the month and year of its manufacture. The tag is secured with
stainless steel rivets.
Engineering and
Specification Guide
How
are ground wires and other such items attached to composite poles?
There are
several sources of metal clips or plated steel, solid copper and
aluminum that can be used for attaching ground wires. These clips are
attached
to the pole using either Number 10 sheet metal screws or self-drilling,
self-tapping screws.
Engineering and
Specification Guide
How are
composite
poles protected from ultraviolet light?
Shakespeare's
application of a resin rich, non-woven polyester veil, combined
with UV inhibitors and a urethane coating, provide for ultimate
extended life of at least eighty years.
Engineering and Specification
Guide
What
about the flammability of composite poles?
The
Shakespeare Composite Structures poles are flame resistant in
accordance
with ASTM D635. Specimens cease to burn before the gage mark of 100 mm
(3.9 inches) is reached.
Engineering and
Specification Guide
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