A box and an app

You can see them everywhere, in residential areas, in cityscapes, in fields, and along roads. They look obvious, not very decorative, but you hardly notice – they are is sort of just there. Power poles are an important part of our infrastructure, even though many of us think we live in an increasingly wireless society.

The green shift requires the controversial development of electricity and power grids, but also the strengthening of existing power grids. Systematic work on utilization of current capacity, condition control and maintenance of infrastructure is essential to provide sufficient energy in the future.

A wooden post should have an average lifespan of 50–60 years, but damage often means the post must be replaced before that time. Registration and control of the condition of piles is necessary for several reasons. It can be damaged by rot, often attacked by woodpeckers, insects, ants or fungi, or damaged by impact, weather and wind.

A rotten or damaged pole should be tagged and replaced as soon as possible, but how do you track it?

Over the past 40-50 years, pile control has been carried out using more or less the same method: The quality of the wood on the posts is checked – both inside and out, above and below ground.

Check whether the pole is properly grounded, and look for other irregularities in accordance with regulations. Only by testing the strength of the wood fibers can it be ensured that the pole is safe to work with, has the required load carrying capacity and is able to withstand environmental pressures.