Picfastructure

It's been a while...

2006-05-16T11:34:00.000-07:00

...So here's a twofer.

I'm really not sure what is going on here, but I'll speculate. First of all, this represents another transfer point between above and below ground power transmission. Second, I would guess that the large tanks are filled with oil and are simply larger versions of the type you typically see on local distribution lines.

No matter what these insulators are impressive.

One note though... it looks like only half the lines are attached to those tanks, and though you can't see it particularly well, there's room on the elevated platform for 3 more tanks... perhaps this means that this section of lines isn't operating at full capacity?

The Lonely Country Road Pole

2006-04-19T01:05:00.000-07:00

Today I bring an image of simplicity. No transformers, no multi-part insulators, no trinity of wires, no abrupt directional changes.

Just a simple pole, with simple ceramic insulators and (in this case) a pair of wires. You've likely seen one of its cousins if you've ever been outside of the city.

And then, a close up of the actual wiring...

A bird in the hand...

2006-04-18T00:57:00.000-07:00

Is worth one on the wire...

I couldn't resist taking this shot... it's not as clinical as alot of the pictures I've been taking, but it certainly doesn't suffer as a result. Enough talk, just look....

Happy Easter

2006-04-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

I've got a real beauty for you today.

I really like his shot. In the background you can see the typical country lines like in yesterday's image, but of course the real interest is in the foreground. This tower redroutes the lines at a ninety degree angle, and does so with aplomb.

What was particularly interesting about getting up close to this fellow was the makeup of the tower itself. It almost appeared to be cast out of some sort of resin, with a variegated texture on the surface. Alternately, it could have been simply a coat of paint, but it seems unlikely that such a behemouth would be painted with a brush that would leave that sort of texture.

Also, notice the sunglight drawing such a marked contrast between the two sides of the tower. Fantastic.

Back with a Viscosity

2006-04-15T20:20:00.000-07:00

Well, due to some connectivity trouble combined with incredible laziness on my part, there haven't been any updates for a week. Today we solve that problem.

Here we've got a nice example of a classic site along country roads (I presume you see these all over the country, but perhaps only in southern Wisconsin?) Simple wooden pole, again with two sets of three wires, and a single wire at the top. What's interesting about this example is how the insulators on both sides are of different lengths... I have not the slightest idea what purpose that might serve.

Anyhow, until tomorrow, enjoy.

Safety First

2006-04-08T13:13:00.000-07:00

I thought today would be a good day to highlight the importance of safety when taking pictures of high voltage wires.

I never venture into areas or onto equipment marked 'High Voltage', nor do I ever cross into private property or over barriers in an attempt to get better pictures (It was actually tempting to try and get a closer in shot for Wednesday's picture) If you try to take your own pictures at home, you should follow these simple rules yourself, and have a safe, productive day. More lives than your own could depend on it.

Pair of Threes

2006-04-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

To help you 'over the hump', today I bring you what I feel is a very interesting picture.

What we've got here is a pair of towers that are relaying wires between high tension lines and some sort of power station or transformer (not visible in the image). This is a very interesting pair to me... the insulators (I think that's what they are... the things that look like roto-tiller blades) connecting the wires to the poles are one of my favorite visual motifs in high tension transmission wires, and they're clearly visible here. Interestingly, the two towers are not identical, the one on the right seeming to connect the wires downward through a trio of very interesting looking connectors. They look like the type of thing one sees on the equipment in old Frenkenstein movies.

This brings me to an revelation that I've had in just the half a week I've been shooting images. There is something going on with the number three in all of these transmission towers, both low and high voltage. The wires tend to travel in sets of threes, sometimes with additional single wires joining them (as in the wires extending from the very top of the towers in today's picture. I can't recall learning specifically about this in physics, but I think the wire triplets have something to do with a triple phase shifted alternating current that is used in power transmission. I'm not quite sure how that would work but I think the link must be there.

More Dead Ends

2006-04-04T22:16:00.000-07:00

Two shots today of another example of what I think must be a cross over point between above and below ground transmission. First, a detail of the top of the pole...

This example is rather more straightforward than Sunday's ... the wires just undergo one 90 degree rotation, and they're on their way. Once again we've got piping to carry them groundward, and once again we've got guide wires (visible coming towards you)

Next, we step back a little and look at the (slightly) bigger picture.

Here you can notice a pair of standard looking distribution poles going off into the distance. If you look really carefully you'll see something else that may be of signifigance that the first picture's angle didn't allow you to see... I'll let you speculate on what I might be referring to.

Also, at the bottom you can see the first hints of a rather ubiquitous feature, yellow plastic covers on the guide wires near ground level. Presumably these are just so that people don't clothesline themselves.

Wires

2006-04-03T20:09:00.000-07:00

Today's image is all about simplicity. Just some wires together, with the small addition of triangular connectors between each set of three. I'm at a loss as to what exactly the connectors do... my guess would be simply to stabilize them, since this shot was taken of wires traversing a highway. You'll also notice a seventh wire, unconnected to the others. I believe it is a telephone wire as opposed to an additional transmission wire.

Local Power Distribution

2006-04-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

Today we've got a couple of images of a very busy looking local distribution tower. Notice the ubiquitous wooden pole, but also make not of all that is going on atop the pole. Also, you can see another classic structural feature, the supporting guid wires going down to ground level.

What is perhaps most unique about this example though is that it represents a transfer point between above and below ground power lines... or at least that's what I surmise. You'll notice that power wires are only going in one direction from this pole, and also that there is a prominent grey piping down the side of the pole, from which emenate four wires.

High Tension Transmission Tower

2006-04-01T15:40:00.000-08:00

To start things off we've got a good example of a modern metal bodied transmission tower... Admittedly not the best picture, and taken from some distance, but a fairly classic design to get things started with.

Is this thing powered up?

2006-03-28T21:46:00.000-08:00

This is in no way the strangest site on the internet.

That said, I still think it's pretty strange.
What we'll be doing here is posting pictures.
Not so strange.
Pictures of highway interchanges.
Ok, that's a little strange.
And high voltage power lines.
Ok, getting stranger.
And if things really get going, perhaps railroad crossings.
And that's it...