Is there visible rot or decay in the wood? Are there cracks, holes, burn marks, or other imperfections in the structure? These factors can significantly impact a utility pole's ability to handle stress. Many utility pole inspections for measuring rot or strength are currently being performed with the naked eye, simply by looking closely. Visual inspection is suitable for identifying gross defects visible above the ground level. The three predominant methods used to inspect wooden poles are visual, sound, and bore-based inspections. wood species, preservation methods and material, soil and climate conditions, insect and mechanical damage, waste management, inspection methodology, and human error) involved, no fail-proof inspection method exists that can guarantee the condition of a standing wood pole with 100 percent accuracy. In other words, an effective pole inspection program strikes a balance between accurately identifying poles that put both system reliability and human life at risk while minimizing the number of still serviceable poles being replaced.However, due to a complex combination of variables (i.e. Replacing a utility pole can be expensive, which is why it’s necessary to determine which power poles are healthy, which have some deterioration but can last for some time (this needs to be predicted), and which ones need to be replaced immediately. It’s extremely important to determine the deterioration and degradation of utility poles and predict the next failure in order to prevent it or reduce its effect through maintenance or a contingency plan. The inspection and treatment of wooden utility poles is necessary for determining the strength and serviceability of a pole. Ultimately, failure of wooden poles is inevitable once they lose their structural strength due to decay. The internal parts of the pole can be attacked by basidiomycetes fungi that enter the wood during the drying process through deep checks and splits or through the knots that form due to branches. The outer surface of a pole, although usually treated with CCA (chromated copper arsenate), creosote, or with other wood preservatives to protect it from fungi and insects, can still be attacked by fungi. Decay in wood usually occurs when its moisture content exceeds its fiber saturation point. Wood is a natural biological material and, unfortunately, is susceptible to fungal and insect attacks. The tree species most commonly used for poles is the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), but other species such as jack pine, western red cedar, and Douglas fir are also used. In all, the energy transmission and distribution segment is the largest consumer of utility poles. Increased energy demand and the extension of current power networks are the main drivers of this market's growth opportunities. Wooden poles are popular and widely used to carry electric power lines and telephone lines all over the world due to their high strength per unit of weight, low installation and maintenance costs, and excellent durability when they are properly treated with wood preservatives. The current market for utility poles is driven primarily by wood. This paper covers the current methods and techniques used in wooden pole maintenance across the globe and presents an analysis of the same points, considering the need for automation in wooden pole testing to enable standardized outcomes. Utility companies need to monitor the condition of wooden poles regularly and predict their future condition accurately to operate their distribution system continuously and safely.
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