This article explores why Peco, Philadelphia's utility company, continues to use wood poles for its electrical infrastructure despite the availability of alternatives like fiberglass.
Philadelphia has about 111,340 wood poles owned and maintained by Peco . Humanity went from using Morse code to send messages to checking online photos for AI in less than 200 years. But the lanky wood poles holding the cables that make it all possible have not changed much, at least not in Philly. Wood poles have been a staple for utility connections since Samuel Morse first discovered their potential in the early 1840s.
Over the years, concrete, steel, and fiberglass have become alternatives, but Peco is still relying on wood. The Inquirer’s forum for questions about the city and region: Why is Peco still using wood for utility poles? Philadelphia has about 111,340 wood poles owned and maintained by Peco. Fixtures like light poles maintained by other entities may use other materials. But wood has a natural insulation and doesn’t conduct electricity, “which is critical from a safety perspective,” Davis said. Wood poles are easier to grip, making them safer for contractors to climb when repairs are needed. “Fiberglass poles are more than three times the cost of wood poles, making them significantly more cost-effective,” Davis said, stressing that the cost of materials fluctuates based on supply, demand, availability, and quantity purchased. Fiberglass poles do have a longer lifespan than wood poles, which last about 60 years, Davis said. Fiberglass also requires less maintenance. By nature of design, fiberglass is resistant to corrosion and rot, so termites and water decay are less of a concern, making it a more environmentally friendly option than steel and concrete poles. But don’t try to catch a glimpse of them outside your window, because fiberglass poles are only available at Peco’s lineworker training facility, for a pilot program
Peco Philadelphia Utility Poles Wood Poles Fiberglass Poles
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