The following instructions are
for how to install outdoor light post in your front
or backyard.
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Your first step in adding
a light post is to determine the location of
the light. You can’t place a private light in
any public right-of-way. Most cities require a
minimum distance of two to four feet between
the street or a sidewalk for any light fixture
that you intend to install. Specific code
requirements for your location can be obtained
from the local building inspector.
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Keep in mind that when
choosing a location for the light post you want
it as close to a power source as possible to
avoid excessive digging to lay the wire. The
shorter the distance the less digging you will
have to do. Select a location that has the
fewest obstructions in the path to the power
source and avoid crossing under trees to
prevent potential damage to root systems.
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Determine where you will
tie the light post wires into your home’s
electrical system. If there is one available,
an existing exterior receptacle is the easiest
connection point. If there isn’t an existing
exterior power receptacle you can install an
exterior receptacle by tapping into a basement
receptacle and running the wire through the
foundation rim joist. Another option is to
enter the exterior wall in the same stud bay as
an existing interior receptacle and then
connect to that receptacle.
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Plan to control the light
with a switch from inside the house even though
you may have a photocell installed on the
light.
A good alternative is to connect the
wiring to a receptacle inside the garage next
to an exterior door.
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Before digging the ditch
you may require a digging permit to property
check for buried utilities. Once you know where
it is safe to dig, begin digging a six inch
wide by eighteen inch deep trench from the
light post location to the power supply. You
can dig short runs with a hand shovel, but for
long runs or tough conditions it is much more
efficient to rent a power trencher to do the
job.
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The
wire must be rated for underground
installation. Type UF (underground feeder)
cable is rated for direct burial in the earth
for residential construction.
Type UF
14/2 or 12/2 wire is most commonly used in
residential construction because it is easier,
faster and less expensive to install than
running wire in conduit. But there are
situations where you want to use nonmetallic
conduit for added protection such as in areas
where future digging is likely to occur, such
as under a garden.
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To install the wiring roll
it out in the trench leaving enough excess on
each end to reach the power source and light
post connections plus a couple of extra yards.
Keep in mind that you can always cut off any
excess, but you can’t stretch the wiring if
it’s too short.
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The light post base must
be anchored to a concrete footing. Make a path
for the cable through the footing by running a
piece of plastic conduit through the concrete
form. Run the wiring through the conduit and
attach it to the light post light fixture. On
the opposite end attach the wiring to the power
source and light switch.
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Keep in mind that the
light post must be protected by a GFCI. You can
either tie into an existing circuit that is
protected by a GFCI circuit breaker or install
a GFCI receptacle.
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When you have the wiring
completed test the light for operation. If you
installed a photocell you will have to place a
piece of tape over it to simulate darkness.
Once you are satisfied with the light operation
fill in the trench.
That is how to install outdoor
light post. Except for the digging it is a
relatively easy task for most DIY homeowners using
regular household tools.
DIY
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