Every day, South Central Power works behind the scenes to maintain the system and equipment that delivers electricity to members. One important part of that effort is regularly inspecting the nearly 200,000 utility poles that support power lines across our service area.
South Central Power follows a proactive pole inspection cycle ensuring each pole is checked every 10 years and remains safe and reliable. This routine schedule allows crews to identify potential issues early and address them before they lead to outages, while also serving as a proactive approach to slow internal and external wood decay caused by fungal growth.
The type of inspection depends on the age of the pole. Poles that are less than 10 years old receive a visual and sound check. Inspectors look for visible signs of damage, including wear caused by mowers, vehicles, farm equipment, insects, woodpeckers, and vegetation. They also check for loose or broken guy wires, faulty equipment, broken or missing pole grounds, lightning damage, and other potential hazards. As part of the inspection, crews tap the pole with a hammer to listen for changes that could indicate internal concerns.
Once a pole reaches 10 years of age, it undergoes a more thorough inspection. This includes drilling into the pole near the base to check for internal decay, as well as digging around the base to inspect below ground level. Crews look for deterioration, damage, insect activity, and areas where moisture could collect and weaken the pole over time.
If a pole is still structurally sound but shows early signs of aging, crews can take steps to extend its lifespan. This may include applying preservative treatments, patching drill holes, and wrapping the base to help protect it from moisture and further deterioration. If more significant issues are found, poles may be treated to add another 10–20 years of service or be scheduled for replacement.
To help complete this work efficiently, South Central Power partners with contractors, such as GeoForce Utility Technologies, to conduct these inspections. As they move through the system, inspectors will tag and flag any poles that need further attention. In some cases, that may mean one of our line workers returns to climb the pole and inspect it more closely at the top.
While this work often goes unnoticed, it plays a critical role in maintaining equipment to make sure members receive the safe and reliable electricity they deserve. Members can also help protect utility poles. Planting flowers, shrubs, or placing mulch around the base of a pole can trap moisture and attract fungus and insects, which speeds up the natural decay process. Keeping the area around poles clear helps extend their lifespan and maintain safe, reliable service.
