What are those black boxes on telephone poles?

The boxes contain a radar-based device that measures the number and speed of vehicles that pass through an intersection — “basic data that a traffic engineer needs,” Parker said.

What are the boxes on utility poles?

Crown Castle installs the boxes, called small cells or nodes, on utility poles to provide better coverage and capacity for wireless services, according to its website. These low-powered antennas form a small cell network that provide coverage and capacity in a similar way to a tower.

What are the little boxes on power lines?

The ONT is the box of electronics that converts between the optic fibre link and traditional analogue phone line and also ethernet internet. The power supply for the ONT, shown here on the left, is actually a miniature UPS that can power the ONT for an hour or so if the mains supply fails.

What are those things on telephone wires?

They’re called visibility marker balls or marker balls. You’ll often find them near mountain passes, in the deep valley areas, near major freeway crossings and around airports. They weight about 17 pounds each. The marker balls are placed on power lines to make the conductor crossings visible to aircraft.

What does the transformer on a power pole do?

Transformers convert higher voltage electricity carried by primary wires and lowers the voltage for use by customers. Guy wires help stabilize utility poles. A ground wire runs the entire length of the pole. It directs any electricity on the pole safely into the earth.

What are those things on telephone poles?

Crossarms are used to secure electrical power lines to poles. Cutouts (or switches) work like a fuse and open automatically when they sense a problem with the line or a section of it. Lightning arrestors protect equipment from lightning strikes or other accidental electric surges by discharging it to Earth.

What are all the wires on a telephone pole?

Usually, the top three wires — which are called primary conductors — carry most of the electricity on the pole. As you come down the utility pole, the next set of wires consists of secondary conductors. They typically deliver power to buildings and homes. The lowest wires are cable and telephone lines.

Can I attach something to a telephone pole?

For safety reasons, please do not attach anything to power poles. Nails and staples can increase injury among utility workers, especially since line crews climb power poles. Foreign objects such as staples or nails embedded in the pole can lead to the utility worker snagging or getting a hole in their gloves.