Protecting the Grid and Powering Communities with Attachment Audits

Attachment audits are systematic inspections of all utility pole attachments, from equipment to cables, to other hardware on the pole. An attachment audit doesn’t just provide insight into who is attached where (critical info for pole owners to update and maintain their grid!)—audits help make sure poles aren’t overloaded, the grid is reliable, and communities are safe. 

Why Attachment Audits Matter 

Between grid initiatives and broadband deployment, more and more attachments and equipment are being added to utility poles. While the normal attachment and permitting process helps protect against overloading using pole loading analysis, not every cable has gone through the standard process to attach. 

In essence, attachers focus on cutting calendar days to get on the pole, and utilities are concerned with the structural integrity of their poles. Because of distrust between the two parties, the approval process to attach has become lengthy. 

Attachers get frustrated and skip the process, leading to unauthorized attachments that could jeopardize an entire feeder. Pole owners respond by tightening down safety requirements, which drags on the process, which frustrates more attachers, which… you get the picture. (We also go into more detail about this troubling cycle here.) 

So to keep their assets safe and the grid robust, pole owners conduct attachment audits. 

Avoiding Outages 

Improper attachments create some serious safety risks. 

• Worker Safety: Improper engineering and incorrect clearances between attachments put utility workers, linemen, and community members in danger. 

• Structural Safety: Overloaded poles are weaker poles, and more susceptible to strikes and inclement weather. 

• Public Safety: Power outages aren’t just an inconvenience. They’re a safety risk to the community that relies on continuous power. 

An unstable grid doesn’t just mean long downtimes and lots of outages. When we talk about safety risks in the distribution world, we’re talking about putting people's lives in jeopardy. 

Auditing Process

Typically, auditing workflows include: 

Data Collection 

Field teams document attachment locations, capturing photos of poles and attachments. Depending on the depth of the audit, this may or may not include the heights of attachments. 

When measurements aren’t required, a two-person team can collect anywhere from 1,000 to 2,500 poles each day. Collecting heights does slow teams down, but an experienced two-person crew should still be able to gather measurements on 200-250 poles per day. 

Analysis

Using field data, teams can cross reference pole attachers with attacher agreements to see if someone doesn’t belong. Teams may also run pole loading analysis and check engineering if they’re conducting a detailed audit. 

Remediations

If there are unauthorized attachments, they need to be put through the correct process to make sure new attachments aren’t creating safety violations, resolve issues if they exist, and true up utility records. 

Auditing Made Easy (or at least Easier)

The entire auditing process is seriously time-consuming, especially if data is collected using pen and paper, and compared to spreadsheets with attachment records. But we can ease some of the pain by:

1. Using photo documentation speeds up the process, especially if heights aren’t necessary. Field techs can collect hundreds of photos on foot (or thousands in a car), snapping photos as they go. 

2. Robust GIS mapping or time-stamped actions tie photos to their real location, which is critical for auditing. 

3. By combining auditing processes with engineering workflows, utilities can quickly remediate violations. 

4. Leveraging fully configured standards across your footprint helps utilities gather the exact data they need, exactly how they want it, every time. 

Plus, flexible data can be used for audits as well, and reused for other projects. 

When attachment audits don't require height measurements (like this one), staff can collect gather data on thousands of poles in just one day!

Creating Maximum Value

Over the last few years, utilities have faced increasing demand for space on the pole. Shifting funds are slowly turning the industry from new builds to maintenance and data flows. But the rise of smart grids, EVs, DERS, and more are putting new pressure on grid reliability. 

New attachments took a toll on the grid. New expectations demand grid improvement. A lack of funding is changing the landscape.  

Utilities are going to need info on their network, equipment, and attachments to keep their grid secure. The ability to collect that data quickly and provide it in flexible formats will be crucial as utilities look to upgrade and improve the grid. 

Thanks for reading! Katapult Pro data collection allows for rapid collection routines, with smooth integration into engineering and workflow management, so you can help utilities keep the grid secure and reliable. Learn how Katapult Pro can help you protect the grid and serve utilities at contact@katapultengineering.com!