Basically, it keeps the pole from vibrating like a guitar string. The chains are there in case the supporting rod breaks; they keep the heavy weight from going through your windshield.
this post was submitted on 03 Apr 2026
260 points (99.2% liked)
What is this thing?
8197 readers
4 users here now
Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.
Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you've got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let's see how we do. Please prefix such posts with "CHALLENGE:" so we know we've got a fighting chance.
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
Well I'll be! That seems right!
I've only ever seen them on electric wires, but I've seen light poles develop some pretty severe Aeroelastic flutter. This seems like a good way to (possibly) prevent it.
This answers a long-standing question for me.
Samesies.
Basically, it keeps the pole from vibrating like a guitar string.
"Hey Periphery I got a new guitar for you"🤘👿🤘
If vibrating like a guitar string is so bad then tell me why we don't install those things on guitar strings!?
Guitars have 6 strings. If you attached six of those dampers to a guitar, it would weigh about 240lbs.
Because one is installed on a guitar and the other one is not
I guessed right ^_^
They're the answer to truck nuts. Traffic light ovaries.
Traffic light pole truck nuts
Pole nuts, as it were.
I wonder if it's a weight to change the resonance frequency cause it was wobbling too much. Or it's the charging ports for the govt birds
Bird recharge port, the cap comes off, they get inside to charge, software updates, etc. Yep.
https://www.reddit.com/r/civilengineering/comments/18uojdz/what_are_these/ it looks like you're correct. it's a spring damper
aside, I used Lens to look up similar images, and that worked, but the associated LLM made up a completely different purpose and name for them 🤦♀️
My guess is that those are weights installed as a vibration damper. That explains the chains with which they are secured, and the box with the antenna, which would then record the results of this installation.
Does that traffic light happen to be in a rather windy area, and were those traffic lights swinging madly during storms?
Not sure, saw them on a road trip through Ohio
That's how they make new traffic lights.
That's where the pee is stored
What's the big square antenna thing? Looks like a pretty beefy RF thingy. I've seen them on traffic lights and just by themselves. Are they detecting just the presence of big metal objects? Are they doing long range RFID?
Radar!
Almost definitely a wavetronix
pretty beefy RF thingy
Jesus Christ! NSFW warning, thanks!
Those are males
Very old shot spotters?
It's a lamp post. Did you expect a scrotum sack, Michael?
I haven't seen that toaster model before
The one on the left is named Dingle McDangle, and the one on the right is named Jingle Bojangle
And their dad is Mister Bojangles.
Light Nuts. They got jealous when they saw truck nuts and, well ...