When is a pole required?

Some customers are required to install a private pole on their property in order to receive electrical service. These poles are the customer's responsibility and may be required in the following situations:

• Service wire will be longer than 30 meters from BC Hydro's point of connection to the customer's service location
• Service wire will create an aerial trespass over a neighbor's property if the wire is installed from the hydro pole directly to the service location
• The customer wishes to have an underground service on their property in an area where BC Hydro provides overhead services (this is also known as an underground dip service)

Please consult BC Hydro before installing a private pole, as there many be other options for your service. Call 1 877 520 1355 to speak to a BC Hydro agent.

Pole requirements

1. Full length, pressure treated, class 6 or better manufactured pole
2. Minimum diameter at the top: 5.5 inches
3. Minimum diameter at point 6 feet from the butt: 9 inches
4. Gain mark 12 feet from butt
5. Near the top of the pole, insert a bolt through the clevis

Installation requirements

For holes in normal ground or lose rock:

• Minimum 5 feet for a pole of 30 feet or less or
• 10% total height of pole plus 2 feet for poles longer than 30 feet

For poles set in rock, the depth may be one foot less than the above requirement.

Contact BC One Call (1 800 474 6886) before you dig
To avoid damage to underground services and serious danger to workers, it is important to know what services are buried in or near your work site. BC One Call is a central agency providing complete information about the underground services on your work site, and where it is safe to dig. Visit the BC One Call website for more information.