Messenger refers to a high-strength, typically galvanized steel or aluminum alloy cable installed above ground to support and stabilize overhead electrical conductors. Unlike the energized conductors it carries, the messenger cable itself is non-current-carrying. It is engineered to bear mechanical loads, resist environmental corrosion, and maintain proper conductor alignment across spans between poles or structures.
In practical use, the overhead messenger provides the structural backbone for aerial distribution systems. On residential streets, a lighter gauge messenger may support service drops between utility poles and homes. In contrast, in commercial or industrial installations, a heavier messenger is selected to accommodate longer spans and greater conductor weights. The messenger’s design differs from guy wires—which anchor poles against lateral forces—in that it is intended expressly to carry the weight of power lines, maintaining conductor sag and preventing undue stress on attachment points. Proper selection and installation ensure system reliability, ease of maintenance, and compliance with utility engineering standards.