How to Set Up Light Poles: Tips and Advice on Thinking Ahead

Not all the wiring we do for buildings is confined to the INSIDE of the building. Many times, we are tasked with installing site lighting/power to the EXTERIOR of the building and site. But how do we go about installing those light poles? In the latest episode of Electrician U, Dustin goes thru the process of how to prep for the installation and how to install the pole lights themselves.

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The first thing we must do is get the conduit run from the source of power TO the pole (or poles) itself. Pole lights generally are rather tall and will require a pole base to sit on. Someone will need to either drill a round hole several feet deep or dig a hole several feet deep. A round cardboard tube will be placed into the hole and project out of the hole a specific distance out of the ground (depending on site specific specifications). Once the rebar cage is installed, the conduits must be turned up and run up out of the top of the pole so they can be accessed via a handhole located in the pole itself, toward the bottom.
Important to note that generally a separate ground wire and a rod are usually required at the pole itself. This is in ADDITION to the equipment grounding conductor pulled in with the phase conductors. This additional ground is a grounding electrode conductor, NOT the equipment grounding conductor. Always check with your local AHJ and specifications to see what is needed.
Anchor bolts are imbedded in the concrete while it is poured. These bolts are to hold the pole itself down to the base. Somewhere around 1” in diameter (depending on pole height, weight, wind factors, etc.) and are anywhere from 18” to 36” long. 2 sets of nuts/washers will need to be on each bolt, and BOTH must project ABOVE the concrete level. This is important as the bottom set will be used to level the pole base (so the pole stands up straight) while the top set is used to actually fasten the bottom of the pole to the base.
Once all that prep work is done, you can start the pole installation itself. It is MUCH EASIER to install the head (or heads) on the pole and pull the wire from the top out of the hand hole while the pole is on the ground. Working at heights always takes longer, requires separate equipment, and carries additional risks that can be avoided. There are several ways to actually stand the pole up onto the pole base, but a sky track (or site forklift) is the standard equipment used. A crane can be utilized for longer poles if needed. A nylon choker/sling is put around the pole and the forks of the lift put thru one of the eyelets and up it goes. It is helpful to have an electrician or two on the ground to guide the pole onto the bolts, just make sure to KEEP YOUR HANDS OUT OF THE WAY!!
After the pole is set and the nuts tightened down, the pole is wired into the wires coming from the panel (and perhaps to the next pole(s) in line), the base cap put on to hide the anchor bolts, and the handhole cover installed.
We hope this has been helpful in understanding the process of installing pole lighting on a project. Is there a topic you would like to see discussed? Leave a comment in the comment section and let us know. Please continue to follow Dustin and Electrician U as we are constantly updating our content to assist our followers to be the best electricians they can be.