Utility Poles

A.C. Whalan Composites Pty Ltd a family owned & operated company have developed Australia's first 100% Australian made Composite Utility Pole. Our Composite Poles to 12.5m in length will be manufactured in a one piece construction using the filament winding manufacturing process. The surface finish will be lightly textured and grey in colour or can be coloured upon request to suite our clients requirements.

THE ADVANTAGES OF THE COMPOSITE POLE SYSTEM

Lightweight       (CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE LARGE VERSION)

The composite pole is on average 40% lighter than the equivalent rated timber pole.

Corrosion & Termite Resistant

The composite pole is construction from Epoxy Vinyl Ester Resin giving it resistance to Caustic Alkalis, Hypochlorite Bleaching Chemicals and high temperatures and termites.

Cost Efficient Instillation

The composite pole is installed in similar fashion to the timber pole however being lighter it is more cost effective to install in those applications with access restrictions.

Non - Conductive System

The composite pole is inert and the structure is non conductive. Our poles have successfully undergone testing at Ergon Energy results are available upon request.

Fire Resistant   (CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE LARGE VERSION)

The poles are constructed from fire retardant laminates. We have conducted tests in accordance to AS 1530.8.2 Simulated bushfire attack – Large flaming source. Along with Californian brush fire tests.

Hardware & Fitment

The Composite poles are manufactured in a cylindrical taper shape similar to the timber pole. This means that all current hardware such as cross arms & bolt on foot pegs and there fitment to the pole will be done the same way or using a similar method.

Transport & Storage

Composite poles can be transported, stored & handled in the same way timber poles are, with consideration taken to protect the surface of the pole, this simply means nylon straps in place of chains & dogs. Because the Composite poles are lighter in weight. Transport costs become more efficient.

Life Expectancy

Composite poles based on US & European manufactures data & studies have a life expectancy of 70-80 years combined with the other advantages of fire corrosion, termite, rot resistance & lower transportation cost the composite poles installed cost becomes extremely competitive .

FINITE ELEMENT ANALISIS (FEA)

A.C Whalan Composites employ the services of an independent company  EMP to conduct the FEA on the design of our pole. The working load consists of a transverse tip load equivalent to half the ultimate load and is used to define the serviceability limit state.   (CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE GRAPH RESULTS)

In this condition the pole deflection has been limited to less than 5% of the cantilevered length. This location corresponds with the recommendations in 'AS/NZS 4676:2000 Structural design requirements for Utility Poles' 

UV Stabilized

The A.C Whalan Composites poles are manufactured from epoxy vinyl ester resins with UV Stabilizers added to both the structural winds and in the outside barrier of the pole. This ensures the ultimate extended life of the poles.

Environmentally Friendly Materials

Composite poles are manufactured from environmentally friendly materials. There are no toxic preservatives to leach out into the soil or ground water around the pole.

Downsizing of installation Plant & Overheads

Being lighter, the Composite poles can be installed using smaller plant & equipment. This in turn creates a smaller installation footprint that can save on public impact & disruption such as road or lane closures during installation. The smaller plant also results in an improved safety interface with the public.

MANUFACTURING & TESTING

A.C Whalan Composites state of the art Filament Winder is fitted with Siemens controller combined with CADWIND we can guarantee the quality & consistence of every item produced. Our dedication to quality will see 1 in 10 poles being load tested & 1 in 100 poles being tested to destruction in accordance with AS/NZZS 4676.2000 Structural Design Requirements for utility service poles.

Load Testing    (CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE LARGE VERSION)

In accordance with AS/NZS 4676.2000 5 poles were required to under go load testing. The load testing was conducted at the University of Queensland's Department of Civil Engineering Testing facility in St Lucia

UQ testing official prepares a 12.5m 8/16Kn one piece pole for load test.

The 12.5m 8/16Kn one piece pole during a load test.

The 12.5m 8/16Kn one piece pole during a destructive test breaking point was 32Kn

Electrical Testing    (CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE LARGE VERSION)

The poles were also required to undergo Australian testing for Leakage Current Lightning Impulse & 50Hz Flashover. These test were conducted at Ergon Energy.

Click on the images on the right to enlarge the images of Ergon Energy's Testing Facility and Testing procedures.

Workers at the Testing Facility setting up a Utility Pole prior to a lightning impulse test.

In the final image to the right you can see the results of a polluted Leak Current test 275Kv.

Although marked, you can see that the structural integrity of the pole was unaffected from the Lightning Impluse.