Pole-Line Hardware
The hardware that holds a line up.
A wood distribution pole is fitted out with crossarms, insulators, guys and a ground connection, all held on with galvanized steel hardware. GV sources the bolts, nuts, washers, anchors and rods in five of these assemblies, to ANSI C135.1 and your utility's specification, from qualified manufacturing partners. These sections show how the parts work together and what GV supplies for each.
POLE-LINE ASSEMBLIES
How the hardware works together.
Below are five pole-line assemblies and the parts GV supplies for each, with what every piece does once the pole is dressed.
POLE-LINE ASSEMBLIES
Five assemblies these parts build.
Each section explains how the components work together and names the GV products used.
CROSSARMS
Crossarm assembly
Distribution poles carry crossarms that hold pin or post insulators and keep the conductors apart. A single arm is through-bolted to the pole and braced; at angles and dead-ends a second arm is mounted on the far side and the pair is tied together so both share the pull. US utilities specify this hardware to ANSI C135.1 patterns.
Machine / Square Headed Bolt clamps the arm to the pole with a square nut and a square or curved washer under each end. Double Arming Rod passes through both arms of a doubled pair, with nuts clamping each one. Carriage Bolt fixes the braces, and Hex Headed Bolt takes the place of the square-head bolt where the utility specifies hex. GV supplies each of these to specification and finish your utility names. Crossarms, braces, insulators and conductors come from the utility or other makers.
Products in this system

Machine / Square Headed Bolt
Diameter: 3/8-1 1/4 in (common 1/2, 5/8, 3/4 in) / M10-M32 · Length: 2-40 in / 50-1000 mm
Specifications
Double Arming Rod
Diameter: 5/8-1 1/4 in (common 5/8, 3/4 in) / M16-M32 · Length: 10-36 in / 250-900 mm
Specifications
Carriage Bolt
Diameter: 3/8-5/8 in / M10-M16 · Length: 1-7 in / 25-180 mm
Specifications
Hex Headed Bolt
Diameter: 1/4-1 1/4 in / M6-M32 · Length: 2-40 in / 50-1000 mm
Specifications
Washers
Type: Square flat, square curved, round flat, spring lock · Square size: 2 1/4 x 2 1/4, 2 1/2 x 2 1/2, 3 x 3, 4 x 4 in / 57, 64, 76, 102 mm
Specifications
Square Nut
Size: 3/16-1 1/4 in / M6-M32 · Thread: UNC; tapped oversize for galvanized bolts
SpecificationsSECONDARY
Secondary spool assembly
Low-voltage secondary conductors and service drops run on spool insulators rather than on the crossarms. The spools sit on a secondary rack bolted to the pole, or on a single spool bolt through the pole or an arm. You name the shoulder style, single or double, and the shank length to suit your pole.
Spool Bolt carries the spool insulator on its shank, with the forged shoulder holding it clear of the pole, and a cotter pin keeping it on. Washers and Square Nut finish the joint on the far side of the pole. GV supplies the bolt assembly; the rack, spool insulators and conductors come from other makers.
Products in this system

Spool Bolt
Diameter: 5/8 in / M16 · Shank length: 8-14 in / 200-350 mm
Specifications
Washers
Type: Square flat, square curved, round flat, spring lock · Square size: 2 1/4 x 2 1/4, 2 1/2 x 2 1/2, 3 x 3, 4 x 4 in / 57, 64, 76, 102 mm
Specifications
Square Nut
Size: 3/16-1 1/4 in / M6-M32 · Thread: UNC; tapped oversize for galvanized bolts
Specifications
Hex Nut
Size: 3/16-1 1/4 in / M6-M32 · Type: Hex nut, heavy hex nut
SpecificationsGUYING
Down-guy anchoring
Angle poles, dead-ends and poles carrying heavy equipment lean toward the pull of the line unless a guy holds them back. The down guy runs from a clamp near the top of the pole to an anchor set in the ground at a lead distance from the base. Screw anchors are turned into the soil by hand or with a digger-derrick, so no hole needs to be dug and backfilled.
Earth Anchor / Auger is the screw anchor: a helix plate on a rod with an eye at the top. You choose the helix size to suit the soil and the guy size. Hex Nut and Washers fix the anchor rod fittings. GV supplies the anchor and hardware; the guy strand, guy grips, thimbles and insulators come from other makers.
Products in this system

Earth Anchor / Auger
Rod diameter: 1/2-1 in / 12-25 mm · Helix diameter: 4-10 in / 100-250 mm
Specifications
Hex Nut
Size: 3/16-1 1/4 in / M6-M32 · Type: Hex nut, heavy hex nut
Specifications
Washers
Type: Square flat, square curved, round flat, spring lock · Square size: 2 1/4 x 2 1/4, 2 1/2 x 2 1/2, 3 x 3, 4 x 4 in / 57, 64, 76, 102 mm
SpecificationsGROUNDING
Pole grounding
Transformers, surge arresters and the system neutral on a pole are bonded to earth so fault current has a path into the ground. The usual electrode is a steel rod driven vertically beside the pole base, with the pole ground wire clamped to its top. US specifications typically call for sizes to UL 467.
Ground Rod is the driven electrode: galvanized, hot dip to ASTM A153, and pointed for driving, in 5/8 and 3/4 in (M16 and M20) diameters and 6 to 10 ft (2 to 3 m) lengths. GV supplies them to your spec and finish; the ground wire, clamps and couplings come from other makers.
ATTACHMENTS
Pole attachment hardware
Much of what goes on a pole is fixed to one face rather than through it: brackets, pole steps, cable guards, riser supports and signs. Lag screws drive straight into the wood, while bolts are used where the attachment must clamp through. Line maintenance also calls for replacement of corroded bolts, nuts and washers on existing poles.
Lag Bolt fixes brackets and steps into the wood, with a regular or fetter drive point. Carriage Bolt and Hex Headed Bolt through-bolt attachments that need clamping, and Hex Nut and Washers finish each joint. GV supplies the fastening hardware to ANSI C135.1 and ASTM A153 in full-length or cut-to-order; the brackets and attachments come from other makers.
Products in this system

Lag Bolt
Diameter: 1/4-1 in / M6-M25 · Length: 2 1/2-6 in / 60-150 mm
Specifications
Carriage Bolt
Diameter: 3/8-5/8 in / M10-M16 · Length: 1-7 in / 25-180 mm
Specifications
Hex Headed Bolt
Diameter: 1/4-1 1/4 in / M6-M32 · Length: 2-40 in / 50-1000 mm
Specifications
Hex Nut
Size: 3/16-1 1/4 in / M6-M32 · Type: Hex nut, heavy hex nut
Specifications
Washers
Type: Square flat, square curved, round flat, spring lock · Square size: 2 1/4 x 2 1/4, 2 1/2 x 2 1/2, 3 x 3, 4 x 4 in / 57, 64, 76, 102 mm
Specifications