Transmission tower

A transmission tower or pylon (also known as an ironman in Australia and a hydro tower in parts of Canada) is a tall tower used for electric power transmission. It carries the electrical conductors (wires) of high-voltage overhead power lines. The tower is high for a safe distance for people, animals or things below the wires.

Transmission tower; this is a suspension tower with vertical insulators

Detail of a transmission tower; horizontal insulators of a tension tower

Most big transmission towers are lattice steel structures. Smaller ones may be wood, concrete or steel poles.

Types

Most transmission towers are built as suspension towers. They only hold up the wires, not pull them. Their insulators are used vertically.

Tension towers (also known as anchor towers) pull on the wires. Their insulators are used horizontally. They work as terminal towers at the end of a power line. They work as branch towers where power lines split and run in different directions.

Transposition towers are relatively rare. They allow the wires to change their position on the tower.

Related pages

• Underground cable