What Is a Temporary Power Pole Used For?
Contractors use a temporary power pole to run saws, compressors, light towers, and job trailers before the utility company sets permanent meters. It stands between the street transformer and your site, carrying power through a meter socket and breaker panel mounted on treated lumber or a steel frame. On a typical build in Arlington Heights, the pole goes in during site prep, right around the same time as a roll-off dumpster rental and a storage container rental for tools and materials. A 200 amp temporary power pole is the common size for residential and mid-size commercial jobs; larger commercial sites sometimes need higher amperage, and that gets sized by your electrician based on total tool and equipment load. Ground fault circuit interrupter protection is required on construction sites under OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii), and any pole feeding job-site outlets needs that protection built into the panel. If your project also needs sanitation, pairing the pole order with a portable toilet rental or an ADA accessible porta potty keeps one delivery truck doing both drops.
How Much Does Temporary Power Pole Installation Cost?
Installation cost depends on amperage, pole height, and how far the run is from the transformer to your panel. A licensed electrician handles the wiring and inspection; Arlington Heights Porta Pros can coordinate the pole rental and delivery logistics around that schedule. Because pricing varies by amp service and site distance, get a written quote through request a quote rather than relying on a phone estimate. Expect the electrician's permit and inspection fees to run separately from the pole rental itself, since those go through the city, not through us. If you are budgeting a full site setup, compare it against dumpster rental cost and temporary fence cost so the whole site plan fits one number. Sites near Mount Prospect, 3.7 miles southeast of Arlington Heights, and Palatine, 4.6 miles west, follow the same utility coordination process, since both towns sit on the same regional grid.
Installing a Temporary Power Pole: What to Know Before You Order
Installing a temporary power pole starts with a call to your electrical contractor, who pulls the permit and specifies pole height, wire gauge and panel size for your load. Arlington Heights Porta Pros delivers the pole itself and sets it at the location your electrician marks, usually near the property line where the utility can reach it with a service drop. A roll-off delivery needs about 60 feet of straight clearance behind the truck, and pole delivery trucks need similar room, so clear the drop zone before the truck arrives. Site layout matters: keep the pole clear of the path you have planned for a restroom trailer rental or handwashing station rental, since both need their own access. OSHA 1926.51(a)(1) requires an adequate supply of potable water at the site regardless of power status, so don't let electrical scheduling delay your water and sanitation setup. For sites in Wheeling, 5.6 miles northeast, or Buffalo Grove, 6.1 miles north, the same sequence applies: permit first, pole delivery second, utility connection last.
How long does a temporary power pole stay up?
It stays up for the duration of construction, from initial site work through the point the permanent meter gets set and inspected. Most Arlington Heights jobs keep the pole in place for several months. Coordinate teardown with your electrician once permanent service is live.
Do I need a permit for a temporary power pole?
Yes, in nearly every case. The electrician pulling the permit through the city is standard practice, since the wiring and panel need inspection before energizing. Confirm the exact process with Arlington Heights before delivery; see porta potty permit requirements for how permitting works on other site equipment too.
What amperage do I need for a construction site?
A 200 amp temporary power pole covers most residential and small commercial builds. Larger sites running multiple trailers, heavy tools or light towers may need more. Your electrician calculates the load and specifies the service size before ordering.
Can I rent a temporary power pole without an electrician?
No. The pole itself is just the structure; the wiring, meter and breaker installation must be done by a licensed electrician and inspected before the utility energizes it. We handle delivery and placement, not the electrical work itself.
Where does the power pole go on my site?
It goes near the property line, closest to the utility transformer, in a spot your electrician approves. Keep it clear of vehicle traffic and away from planned temporary fence rental lines or dumpster placement so nothing blocks access later.
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