Temporary Power Pole Work in Progress: Underground Installation Awaiting SCE Transformer

This photo shows our underground power pole installed on site, but the scope of work is not yet complete. Southern California Edison had not yet set the transformer at this location. When the Edison transformer is installed on the concrete pad visible in the photo, the customer will need to call us back for a second trip to complete the connection into the SCE transformer.

The better approach on jobs like this is to wait until the transformer is confirmed in place before scheduling the pole installation. Installing early means paying for two separate trips and a longer wait for energized power. This situation is common in newer developments across Southern California, where utility infrastructure is built underground to eliminate overhead power lines in the street.

Need Power More Than 100 Feet from the Utility Source? You Need a Multi-Set.

The photo above shows a multi-set installation. A multi-set is required when the utility source is more than 100 feet from where power is needed, or on larger projects where multiple sub-panels have to be distributed across the site. The local utility will not span overhead wire beyond 100 feet from their source.

In this example, the customer’s construction trailer was more than 600 feet from the utility connection point. The temporary power meter pole was installed closest to the utility source, with additional poles installed every 80 feet between the source and the trailer. The last pole in the run carries a sub-panel that supplies power directly to the trailer.

Track home projects are another common multi-set application. Each home under construction typically needs its own sub-panel on a dedicated pole to supply power independently.

For multi-set jobs, we recommend a job walk before installation. Our team will meet with your project superintendent on site to review the layout and design a system that is both efficient and cost-effective.

Need More Clearance Than a Standard Pole Provides?

A standard rental pole is a 6x6x24-foot treated wood pole. Some projects require more height clearance, in which case we install a black diamond pole instead. Black diamond poles are round, 8 to 10 inches in diameter, and available in 25, 30, and 35-foot heights to accommodate the job requirements. They require full truck access and cannot be hand-installed.

Building Property Line to Property Line? There Are Options.

This photo shows a solution for sites with no room for tall poles or overhead wire runs. On property-line-to-property-line builds, we can run the wire along the ground inside conduit rather than overhead. This keeps the work area clear and reduces hazards on a congested site. It is a workable solution, though the cost is higher than a standard overhead installation.

Have questions about your specific site? Call our team at 818-255-3560.