i wouldn't say its badly made....this could happen to any doghouse with a plastic top section...it doesn't support the heavy load very well and the plastic around the mount shears off the housing.
But yes its not a badly made signal. Plastic just cant support the weight. This is why many doghouses have different model red sections when suspended from a single point attachment (like cable) The top section is made of aluminum while the bottom four sections are plastic.
When used in a top/bottom double point attachement (like a mast arm or side of a pole) all plastic can be used because the weight is distributed better.
still the weight is distributed. None of the 3 plastic signals in my collection had reinforcments..sounds like the city just wanted to be careful in your case.
But yes its not a badly made signal. Plastic just cant support the weight. This is why many doghouses have different model red sections when suspended from a single point attachment (like cable) The top section is made of aluminum while the bottom four sections are plastic.
When used in a top/bottom double point attachement (like a mast arm or side of a pole) all plastic can be used because the weight is distributed better.
Oh well, we're far from the good ol' cast iron traffic lights! Unless they've always been aluminium?
And you don't need to reinforce a 3 section. The weight is distributed. In a 5 section light all the weight to support is put on the top section.