I noticed these small square plates attached to telephone poles (a
small, light gray, square plate with a little wire sticking out). 
These seem to be quite common.  Does anyone know what these square
plates do?

You can see a photo of these plates at:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/chelatingblues/album?.dir=/bd02&.src=ph&.tok=ph8_GdEBxceFGWyr

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Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 23 Feb 2006 07:21 PST

A much closer and more detailed photo would probably be necessary for
us to identify what they are.

tutuzdad-ga

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Clarification of Question by nowaytia-ga on 23 Feb 2006 11:54 PST

If you click on the photo, it enlarges.  I will also try to get a better photo.

Do you mean the half folded plates away from the pole where the "down
wires" lead from the horizontal cables?

Could these be lightening rods perhaps?   ??

They look like "cat whiskers". It looks like a distribution power line
(16kv or 4kv) disconnect that can not only de-energize a section of
cable but can drop load, or break amperage. As the disconnect is
opened the "wire" slides against the bend in the square metal piece
and then springs apart at a high rate of speed to keep the disconnect
fron arcing and melting. Also called a load drop disconnect.

I agree with jessaminda comment. I am assuming that this is a US
powerline. The UK version is very similar. I cant remember the exact
name given to them. I seem to think they are called something like
surge voltage limiters. SVL but I could be wrong.