Transmission towers support electrical power transmission lines and electromagnetic signals for telecommunications. They are usually made of steel or concrete and can be self-supporting or stabilized by tie rods. They can carry power lines over 100,000 volts and can also be used for broadcasting radio and television signals. In some areas, they are called masts or hydroelectric towers. They can be sub-classified based on the method of wire support.
A transmission tower is a structure that is usually erected for the purpose of supporting and carrying electrical power transmission lines. The term can also refer to towers used in the transmission of electromagnetic signals for telecommunications, such as cell phone towers, and those towers used in the transmission of television and radio signals. In some areas of the world, towers used for the transmission of electricity may go by other names such as masts and hydroelectric towers.
An electrical transmission tower can be found almost anywhere in the world. In most industrialized countries, they are common views and can be very large. The most common construction method for a transmission tower today is called lattice construction, in which a tower consists of angled struts and trusses, usually of solid steel or steel tubing. Some transmission towers, however, can be built with very large hollow steel poles, wood, or concrete. Most of these types of towers are self-supporting, but some models can be stabilized by tie rods.
Typically, these large structures are used to carry only the largest power lines, most often those carrying over 100,000 volts. Designs vary widely from location to location, and a typical transmission tower may support just one or two high-voltage lines or dozens. While most are less than 300 feet (100 meters) tall, some very large specimens can be much taller.
The term transmission tower can also refer to those towers built and used for telecommunication and broadcasting purposes. Cell phone towers, for example, forward or broadcast cell phone signals. These towers, just like electric towers, can be lattice or single-pole structure. Cell phone transmission towers often have support cables.
Some extremely tall broadcasting towers are used for broadcasting radio and television signal. These towers can be over 0.6 miles (1 km) tall. They are almost always built from metal trusses, assembled in large sections on the ground before final construction. A transmission tower of this type is always stabilized with several strong tie rods to prevent swaying in strong winds. Warning lights are installed to warn aircraft of its presence. Occasionally, radar installations also use such towers.
In Britain and parts of Europe, a transmission tower is often called a mast, a term which is avoided in the United States, as the term mast has other meanings there. In Canada and Australia, such a structure may be called a hydroelectric tower, indicating the hydroelectric source of the power it carries. Towers are sometimes sub-classified based on the method by which the wires are supported. Strain towers are designed to reduce sag in power lines, for example, and corner towers are used when power lines change direction.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
