What Is a Temporary Power Pole?
A temporary power pole, sometimes called a temp pole or spider box pole, is a freestanding meter and breaker panel set on a site before permanent power exists. Contractors use them on new builds, remodels and construction site services jobs where the structure has no wired service yet. It is not something Berkeley Porta Pros installs directly since that work belongs to a licensed electrician, but we deliver and place the equipment that shares the site with it: fencing, restrooms and dumpsters that all need to sit clear of the pole's approach and grounding radius. If your project also needs temporary fence rental around the pole for public safety, plan that layout at the same time you schedule the electrical inspection, since Berkeley sites often run tight lot lines. A light tower rental frequently ties into the same temp pole once it is energized, so sequencing matters.
How Does Temporary Power Pole Installation Work?
Installation starts with an electrician sizing the panel, usually 100 or 200 amp depending on tool load, then setting the pole per the utility's clearance and grounding rules and scheduling a PG&E connection. On a typical Berkeley job, the pole goes in before the porta john rental or restroom unit arrives, since both need firm, level ground and OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii) governs the GFCI protection required once temporary wiring is live on site. We coordinate delivery timing with your electrician so the standard porta potty rental or ADA accessible porta potty unit lands somewhere it will not block the meter's required clearance. Site access matters too. A roll-off delivery needs about 60 feet of straight clearance behind the truck, and that same runway often has to share space with the pole's location, so we walk the plan before anything shows up.
What Does a Temporary Power Pole Cost?
Pole and panel pricing runs through your electrician and PG&E, not through Berkeley Porta Pros, so we cannot quote it here. What we can quote is the site services layered around it: portable toilets, fencing and waste containers priced by the day, week or month.
| service | day | week | month |
|---|---|---|---|
| standard porta potty | 100-350 | 130-500 | 125-325 |
| temporary fence | 30-75 | - | - |
| 10-20 yard dumpster | 51-112 | 426-778 | 91-500 |
Most contractors bundle a portable toilet rental and a roll-off dumpster rental with the pole setup so everything lands in one mobilization trip. Check the dumpster rental cost and porta potty rental cost pages for the full breakdown by size and duration, and see temporary fence cost if the pole sits near a sidewalk or public path in Berkeley.
Does Berkeley Require a Permit for a Temporary Power Pole?
Placement in the public right of way, and any electrical permit for the pole itself, needs confirming with the City of Berkeley before delivery. We do not carry that permit process, but our porta potty permit requirements page covers what applies to restroom placement, and your electrician's permit application usually names the pole location for city review at the same time.
How many amps does a construction temporary power pole usually need?
Most contractors spec a 200 amp temporary power pole for general construction, though smaller remodel jobs sometimes run 100 amp. Your electrician sizes it against actual tool and equipment load, not a fixed rule, so get that number confirmed before ordering the panel.
Can Berkeley Porta Pros install the temporary power pole?
No. We deliver restrooms, fencing, dumpsters and storage, but the pole and panel installation is licensed electrical work. We do coordinate site layout so our equipment does not block the pole's clearance or your inspector's sightlines.
Where should the temporary power pole sit relative to other site equipment?
Keep it clear of the roll-off dumpster rental swing path and any restroom trailer rental hookup area. A site walk before delivery, using our porta potty placement guide as a reference for clearances, saves a second mobilization trip.
What is a temporary power pole diagram used for?
Electricians use the diagram to show the utility how the meter, disconnect and grounding will be arranged before PG&E approves the connection. It is a permit document, not something Berkeley Porta Pros produces, but we can work around whatever layout it specifies.
Does a temp pole affect where portable restrooms go?
Yes. Units need to sit outside the pole's grounding and clearance radius and on stable, level ground consistent with ADA Standards 302.1 where an accessible unit is required. Ask about our event restroom rental options if the pole serves a temporary event rather than a construction site.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.