What Is a Temporary Power Pole and Do I Need One?
If your site has no permanent electrical service yet, you need one. Framing crews, trailers, light towers and tools all draw off it. A temporary power pole diagram usually shows a meter base, a breaker panel, grounding rod and weatherhead, all mounted on a post the utility inspects before energizing. Aurora Porta Pros does not run electrical service itself, but we coordinate site logistics around the pole once it is live, including where portable toilets, temporary fencing, and light towers sit relative to the panel. Keep clearance around the pole base. OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii) requires ground fault circuit interrupter protection on construction sites, and your electrician will wire the temporary panel to meet that before anyone plugs in a saw or a pump. Pair the pole with a temporary power pole plan drawn up early, because moving it after concrete work starts gets expensive fast.
How Much Does Temporary Power Pole Installation Cost?
Installation cost depends on amperage, distance from the utility transformer, and whether trenching is needed. A 200 amp temporary power pole for construction runs higher than a 100 amp setup because of larger conductor and panel requirements. Site prep matters too. If a roll-off dumpster or storage container sits near the planned pole location, move it before the electrician stakes the spot. Aurora sites often need the pole positioned near the construction site services staging area so crews aren't running extension cords across active work zones. Below is a rough sense of related site costs so you can budget the whole setup, not just the pole.
| item | duration | typical |
|---|---|---|
| standard porta potty | month | 200 |
| dumpster | week | 600 |
| storage container | month | 125 |
| temporary fence | day | 50 |
Get firm numbers from your utility and electrician for the pole itself; those figures aren't ours to quote.
Where Should the Pole Go on a Construction Site?
Place it close to the transformer or utility connection point, clear of vehicle paths, and away from where dumpsters or delivery trucks maneuver. A roll-off dumpster rental delivery needs about 60 feet of straight clearance behind the truck, so keep that lane clear of the pole and any guy wires. Housekeeping matters here too. OSHA 1926.25 requires scrap and debris cleared from work areas, which includes the ground around an energized panel. If your site also needs temporary fencing around the pole for public safety, coordinate placement so the fence doesn't block inspector access. We handle porta potty placement around Aurora job sites daily and the same rule applies to power poles: plan the whole layout before anything gets delivered, not after.
How long does a temporary power pole stay in place?
Typically from groundbreaking until permanent utility service is connected and inspected, which can be several months on a larger build. Aurora projects with phased construction sometimes keep temporary power active well into finish work. Check with your electrician and utility for a project-specific timeline.
What amperage do I need for a construction site?
Most residential and small commercial builds use 100 amp service; larger commercial sites often need a 200 amp temporary power pole to run multiple trades and tools at once. Your electrician sizes it based on total connected load, not guesswork.
Do I need a permit to install a temporary power pole?
Likely yes, but permit requirements vary and need confirming with the City of Aurora directly. Don't assume based on a neighboring project. Check with the building department before scheduling your electrician and utility connection.
Can I rent porta potties and a power pole from the same company?
Aurora Porta Pros provides portable toilet rental, dumpster rental, and site services, but not electrical installation. We coordinate delivery timing around your electrician's schedule so nothing blocks site access.
What else does a construction site need besides power?
Most sites need portable restrooms, a dumpster, and often temporary fencing or a handwashing station. See our construction site services page for a full rundown, or check how many porta potties you'll need based on crew size.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.