Pole Loading Calculator — AutoCAD 2024 Utility

Quick Access Search All Tools Ctrl+K Help & Tool Guide

🏗 Pole Loading — NESC Grade B/C, ANSI O5.1 Moment Check

Enter pole and loading data to compute transverse, longitudinal, and vertical loads. The resulting overturning moment is compared to ANSI O5.1 published fiber stress capacity for the selected pole class and species. For preliminary design only — final engineering must follow NESC, RUS Bulletin 200, and utility-specific construction standards.

🌲 Pole Properties (ANSI O5.1)

Pole Height (ft)

Pole Class

Wood Species

Setting Depth (ft) Typical: 10% of height + 2 ft

Pole Type / Configuration

Line Angle (degrees, if angle pole) 0° = tangent; 90° = dead-end equivalent

💨 Wind & Ice Loading (NESC Grade B/C)

NESC Loading District

Wind Pressure on Conductor (psf) NESC: Light=8, Medium=13, Heavy=13

Ice Radial Thickness (in) NESC: Light=0, Medium=0, Heavy=0.5"

Wind Pressure on Pole (psf) Typically same as conductor wind

⚡ Conductors & Attachments

Add each conductor/attachment. For span tensions at dead-ends or angles, enter the horizontal tension. For tangent spans, enter conductor weight only.

Conductor / Attachment Diameter (in) Attach Ht (ft from grd) Tension / Wt (lbs)

🔧 Equipment & Hardware (Vertical Loads)

Transformer (lbs) Typical dist. xfmr: 200–800 lbs

Xfmr Attach Height (ft)

Other Equipment (lbs) Switches, cutouts, capacitors, etc.

Other Equip. Attach Height (ft)

🏗 Pole Load Diagram

Orange arrows = transverse wind loads | Blue = conductor attachment points | Green = moment capacity at ground line

📊 Load Component Breakdown

Load Component	Direction	Force (lbs)	Arm (ft from GL)	Moment (ft-lbs)

⚖ ANSI O5.1 Moment Capacity Check

⚠ Fiber stress values from ANSI O5.1-2015. Actual pole capacity varies with species, grade, treatment, age, and condition. Always apply appropriate safety factor (typically 4.0 for Grade B, 2.0 for Grade C temporary). This tool does not account for pole deterioration.

Parameter	Value	Notes

📐 Method — NESC Grade B Simplified Approach

Transverse Load (wind on conductors + pole)

F_T = wind_psf × d × span_avg / 12 (per conductor)

F_pole = wind_psf × D_pole_avg × L_exposed / 144 (on pole body)

Longitudinal Load (dead-end / angle)

F_L = H × sin(θ) for angle poles | F_L = H for dead-ends

H = conductor horizontal tension (lbs) | θ = line angle (degrees)

Overturning Moment at Ground Line

M = Σ (F_i × h_i) — sum of all forces × their height above ground line

ANSI O5.1 Ground Line Moment Capacity

M_allow = f × Z — fiber stress × section modulus at ground line

Z = π × c³ / 32 — c = circumference at ground line ÷ π (diameter)

Published moment capacities already include ANSI O5.1 fiber stress by species and class. Divide published value by safety factor for allowable.

🏗 Pole Loading Calculator