Typical wood construction uses gains between the pole and the arm, is this required for steel poles?
A. Most utilities who are using steel poles still put a gain between the arm and the pole. The gain provides a good flat surface to mount the arm to and due to its curved surface also provides good bearing surface to the pole. It keeps the arm from rocking on the pole. We know of utilities who have not installed gains. Utilities can use either the standard gain used on wood poles or have switched to a plastic gain which has a smooth surface both against the pole and the arm. Increasingly, braceless construction is being used where the crossarm has it’s own gain base. Judging by our customers responses, these crossarms work very well on steel poles.
