I'm using a couple of plain 24ft (4ft in ground) galvanized poles to hang an area light off each pole using direct burial cable. What is the best way to run the electrical wire per NEC? I'd like to go inside the pole, but not sure that is allowed.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Running wire through 4" galvanized steel poles ?
- Thread starter Wizzard
- Start date
Keithinsc
Well-known member
Not sure about an NEC ruling on this, but could you use a weather head to cap the top and be an exit for your wires?
Having wire in the poles shouldn't be any different than if you ran it in conduit.
Traffic poles are set that way all the time.
Having wire in the poles shouldn't be any different than if you ran it in conduit.
Traffic poles are set that way all the time.
Kevin Essiambre
Well-known member
The pole will have to be bonded. You'll need a ground lug mounted to it.
Sent from my new phone. Autocorrect may have changed stuff.
Sent from my new phone. Autocorrect may have changed stuff.
exranger06
Well-known member
You can go inside the pole, but you need to have a hand-hole at the base of the pole with a weatherproof cover. See NEC 410.30(B).
sberry
Banned
Yes, done on lights and signs all the time.
On your own property, it's probably fine. If it's somewhere that someone can get hurt when it falls over, I wouldn't do it. Real lighting poles are tested for deflection for wind, vibration and earth movement. Also, they have weight limits for the fixtures that are hung on them. Hanging brackets are made specifically for pole types and sizes.
Be sure to get one that fits.
http://applications.nam.lighting.philips.com/blog/index.php/2012/01/31/what-is-effective-projected-area-epa/
Good luck,
CD
Be sure to get one that fits.
http://applications.nam.lighting.philips.com/blog/index.php/2012/01/31/what-is-effective-projected-area-epa/
Good luck,
CD
exranger06
Well-known member
Splices inside the pole are OK as long as they're readily accessible. In other words, If you remove the handhole cover and the splice is right there behind it, and you can undo/redo the splice just by reaching your hands through the hole, then that's fine. If it's spliced right at the fixture itself, and you can access the splice by simply unbolting the fixture from the pole, then that's fine too. But a splice located halfway up the pole with no real way to access it is not OK.