No Outlets in Utility Poles: Someone complained that their town wasn't lit up for the holidays. Someone else replied that when the poles were replaced, the electric company didn't...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Someone complained that their town wasn't lit up for the holidays. Someone else replied that when the poles were replaced, the electric company didn't include outlets to plug in decorations. I've seen lots of town decorations, but it never occurred to me that there had to be an outlet. Of course!

RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA

jerryc41 wrote:

Someone complained that their town wasn't lit up for the holidays. Someone else replied that when the poles were replaced, the electric company didn't include outlets to plug in decorations. I've seen lots of town decorations, but it never occurred to me that there had to be an outlet. Of course!

It also makes it hard to set up living quarters without electricity.

BebuLamar

I have never seen outlet on utility poles. If there are, I think there will be someone trying to power their appliances using those outlets for free.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BebuLamar wrote:

I have never seen outlet on utility poles. If there are, I think there will be someone trying to power their appliances using those outlets for free.

These outlets would he high up on the poles - where the decorations would be.

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

BebuLamar wrote:

I have never seen outlet on utility poles. If there are, I think there will be someone trying to power their appliances using those outlets for free.

So what else is new. They give them everything else for free.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/homedepot-marcus-labor/2022/12/29/id/1102397/?ns_mail_uid=002513c9-e501-42f9-bfa4-9d08dfe14e59&ns_mail_job=DM417388_12302022&s=acs&dkt_nbr=0101049mrth3

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

paulrph1 wrote:

So what else is new. They give them everything else for free.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/homedepot-marcus-labor/2022/12/29/id/1102397/?ns_mail_uid=002513c9-e501-42f9-bfa4-9d08dfe14e59&ns_mail_job=DM417388_12302022&s=acs&dkt_nbr=0101049mrth3

What???!!!

Did you read my original post? Towns can get electricity for town displays by connecting to power at the top of the pole - where the decorations are. They are billed for the electricity that they use. This is not welfare!

People are working! I see them every time I leave my house! Where do you live? 🤣 🤣 🤣

Unfortunately, I see this post about holiday decorations being sent to The Attic.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Since modern lights can work from solar power, no need to put outlets up there - mount the solar panel on top of the power pole for the lights and you're good to go...

RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA

Mercer Island, Washington has outlets under covers at the base of the poles along some streets. Works great for Farmer’s Market vendors who need power for their products.

Stephan G

jerryc41 wrote:

Someone complained that their town wasn't lit up for the holidays. Someone else replied that when the poles were replaced, the electric company didn't include outlets to plug in decorations. I've seen lots of town decorations, but it never occurred to me that there had to be an outlet. Of course!

Every municipality has its own specific rules of electricity use. Many did not have the option of added plugs as stated by the particular utility provider. Many probably could not fit it in into their budget. The special cases can add up rather quickly. And often, the populace is unaware.

Around here there are periodic bond referendums on the ballots that would relate to the covers, but the voters need to be aware of which bond provides the funds. It even includes the cost to the utility provider.

So bottom line, it is not necessarily a regional problem, but definitely a local problem.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Stephan G wrote:

Every municipality has its own specific rules of e... (show quote)

Someone didn't check that box on the installation sheet.

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

I guess I was responding to this post: I have never seen outlet on utility poles. If there are, I think there will be someone trying to power their appliances using those outlets for free.
Not everyone is honest. Not everyone works or wants to work. That is the problem. Many think they are entitled. Many live on the streets. All is not paradise. Many people where I live work and have good jobs but some still manage to cheat. Have a nice day.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

paulrph1 wrote:

I guess I was responding to this post: I have never seen outlet on utility poles. If there are, I think there will be someone trying to power their appliances using those outlets for free.
Not everyone is honest. Not everyone works or wants to work. That is the problem. Many think they are entitled. Many live on the streets. All is not paradise. Many people where I live work and have good jobs but some still manage to cheat. Have a nice day.

You would have to climb to the top, and that would attract attention.

Speaking of telephone poles, this is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. I was driving down the local highway, and up ahead on the right was a school bus and a state trooper. The rear emergency door of the bus was open, and the end of a brand new telephone pole was sitting inside the bus, with the other end on the ground. Two guys were talking to the trooper. I'd love to hear that conversation.

BebuLamar

But also I think the outlet is only on when the light is on. So the outlet wouldn't have power all the time.

photon-collector Loc: Tampa Bay Area, Florida

BebuLamar wrote:

But also I think the outlet is only on when the light is on. So the outlet wouldn't have power all the time.

I suspect the lines are energized all the time. A light-sensitive switch turns the lights on and off.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

Many pole lines don't have 110v available so it would take an expensive transformer plus the outlet on each pole.