The effect of copper naphthenate treatment on electrical resistance of Douglas-fir utility poles was compared with similar poles either left untreated or treated with pentachlorophenol (penta). Penta-treated and untreated wood had similar electrical resistance shortly after treatment and after a 3-month outdoor weathering period. Electrical resistance of copper naphthenate–treated wood was more variable but consistently greater, indicating that poles treated with this chemical would not pose an increased risk to utility personnel working on them.
Contributor Notes
The authors are, respectively, Professor and Faculty Research Assistants, Dept. of Wood Sci. and Engineering, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis (jeff.morrell@oregonstate.edu, Milo.Clauson@oregonstate.edu, connie.love@oregonstate.edu). This paper was received for publication in December 2010. Article no. 10-00077.