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Manhole cover


PEPCO (Electric Company) Manhole Cover, Washington DC
A manhole cover is a circular steel plate which is the lid over the opening of a manhole to prevent someone from falling in and to keep unauthorized persons out. A manhole cover usually weighs several hundred pounds in order to accomplish this feature.

Manhole covers are circular because that is the only shape where the lid cannot fall into the hole.

See also: public utility, storm drain, sewer.