It is easy to overlook installing exterior lighting. Safety is paramount when installing light poles. Properly installed light poles mounting is essential for safety. They can be used to illuminate residential areas, roads, and even outdoor sporting events. This guide will show you how to install a light pole correctly.
How Do You Get Started?
Here are some tips to help you decide if you want to install a light pole.
Step 1. Get to know your city’s requirements. *Disclaimer: An electrician and a foundation engineer can help you with wiring and installation. Different municipalities have their guidelines.
Step 2: Determine the area’s wind rating where you intend to install the pole. The average wind speed in each state is different, so it is essential to consider this when choosing the type and depth for the pole. To see your city’s wind rating, click here.
Step 3: Identify the type of soil. The soil must be firm, solid, and not retain water. You might need to dig deeper depending on the foundation’s strength. This will impact your cost.
Light Pole Installation Methods
You will need the right concrete tools before you can start. Consider your city’s requirements, wind speed, soil conditions, and soil condition before deciding which installation method to use: Direct Burial or Anchor-based. To ensure a proper installation, you strongly recommend hiring an engineer.
Below is a list of light pole installation methods.
Direct Burial Light Pole Installation
The direct burial technique, also called the embedded method, allows poles to be inserted directly into the ground. Aluminum and fiberglass are the best pole materials because they don’t rust. This type of installation does not require steel poles, bases plates, or anchor bolts.
The shaft of a light pole must be at least 10% longer than the average height plus 2 feet. The soil should be a mixture of soil, silt, clay, and soil with crushed rock. It is challenging to build a foundation in loose soil or sand areas.
Here are some suggested steps for burial installation:
Step 1: Use a drill or dig to make a hole. The type of pole you are working with will dictate the heights and depths that should be used.
Step 2: Lower your pole into the hole and guide the wires through the cable entry holes to the hand hole.
Step 3: Add 4 to 6 inches of backfill to the hole. Use a pump-bob or a pole to level it. Pack the backfill as you go.
Step 4: Continue to fill the pole with 4 to 6 inches more backfill.
This is a less expensive option and can be used to install light poles in residential areas or athletic courts.
How Do You Install A Cement Direct Burial Light Pole?
You can use cement to fill the hole. However, you’ll need to use concrete to fill it. You will need the following tools: a conduit pipe with wired connections and a concrete floating.
Step 1: Fill the trench using reserved soil
Step 2: After completing this step, pour a concrete mixture into the hole. Concrete should not be covered with conduits or wires.
Step 3: Use a concrete flotation to smoothen the top of your post hole.
Anchor Based Light Pole Installation
Although the anchor-based installation procedure is time-consuming and costly, it can be beneficial in some locations, such as parking lots. These accidents often cause damage to light poles. Because light poles are easily replaced, shopping mall parking lots use an anchor-based process.
Two Ways To Install An Anchor Light Pole Foundation Are Available
Method 1: DIY concrete foundation. This involves digging a hole and pouring concrete. Then attach your anchor bolts. Although it can be exhausting and time-consuming, this method still accomplishes the task.
These are the steps to building an anchor bolt foundation.
Step 1: Remove the template and any template supports
Step 2: Layout your bolt pattern and drill it
Step 3: Attach the bolts to your template
Step 4 : Upload the template to the forum and ensure it is leveled
Step 5: Attach the template to the supports and secure them to the H frame
Step 6 : Attach the supports to the cage
Step 7: Attach the concrete to the template
Method 2: Helix foundation. This method is used for installing utility poles, cell towers, solar panels, distribution lines, and other infrastructure. The helix-shaped plate makes it easy to screw in bolts quickly and without concrete. The plate works similarly to a corkscrew, with a plate attached. It digs a hole in the ground. You will most likely want to use steel poles. The pole can be manually dropped in, or a crane used to lift it.
Wiring The Light Pole
Before starting, ensure that your main breaker box power supply is turned off. It would help if you had the following tools: wire nuts, wire strippers, and a utility knife. Hiring an electrician is highly recommended.
