There is a red light that has come on on the local power pole.?

Question

What is this? Do power transformers have fault warning lights?

What faults can occur with power transformers?

This light has recently come on. As it was not on a week ago.
It is NOT a light for warning of airplanes. As this pole is your standard power pole and is no taller than 100 feet.

Answer 1

# It is for safety purpose.

#Tree and Power Line Dangers :
Trees near power lines are dangerous! When a tree grows close to a power line, it can create shock hazards, power outages, and fires.

If you climb a tree near a power line and touch the power line, electricity will go through you and you can be hurt or killed

If a tree branch falls on a power line, it can cause a power outage. Electricity will go off in any homes or businesses served by the power line until the electric utility can remove the branch and fix the line.

Circuits do not always turn off when a power line falls into a tree or onto the ground. Even if they are not sparking or humming, fallen lines can kill you if you touch them or the ground nearby. Stay away and tell an adult immediately.

If a tree branch touches a high-voltage power line, electricity from the line can make the branch so hot it catches fire. From there, the fire can spread to nearby trees, plants, or buildings.



Stay Safe Around Trees and Power Lines
Do you like to climb and play in trees? Follow these tips to help keep yourself and your friends safe:

1. Never climb in or play in trees that are growing next to power lines.

2. Never touch a power line with your hand or with any other object, whether you are in a tree or on the ground.

3. Tell an adult if you see trees growing close to high-voltage power lines or contacting these lines. (High-voltage lines are the ones at the very top of power poles.)

4. If you see a power line that has fallen into a tree or onto the ground, stay away and tell an adult immediately. Even if they are not sparking or humming, fallen lines can kill you if you touch them or the ground nearby.

5. Tell an adult if you see someone trimming a tree next to a high-voltage power line. Certified professional tree trimmers are the only ones allowed to do this.

6. Plant only trees that will not grow tall or wide enough to contact nearby power lines.

#The FAA recommends that 36" markers be used on high, hazardous river crossings. Smaller 20" markers are permitted on less extensive power lines or on lines in approaches to airports below 50 feet. Each marker should be a solid color: aviation orange, white, or yellow with alternating colors.

Answer 2

The other person is correct. The red lights on (normal) power poles actually indicate that an electric current is present. In the massive metal towers, it signals airplanes...but for your average wooden power pole, it's just a way to show that that pole is connected to the power grid. The companies know which poles have transformers and/or these lights (if they don't all have them) and can use them to find out which unit is responsible for the outage if it's not already obvious (i.e. lines are down). Sometimes, a limb hanging over a line can short out the power even if the power line itself is not broken. Since the break is not obvious, the company can narrow down where it is by checking the lights.

I've actually seen 'em do it a few times when we had an ice storm. Pretty nifty.

Answer 3

In some states I noticed this and was given this explination, for areas that are heavy wooded, lots of trees, the light shows where the live wires are traveling by the red lights at certain intervals along the power poles/towers.
Also for height, so lower flying aircraft know there are live wires, just like radio towers...
Hope this helps...