Bell Box Mounted to Light Pole for a Receptacle

[Anachronite]

Has anyone ever had trouble mounting a bell box for a receptacle to a light pole. The inspector is telling us we have to comply with NEC 410.30.B.2 requiring a welded hub for risers or cables outside the light pole. Anyone have a code reference for mounting bell boxes to light poles that will get him to wave this welding requirement. This is like heavy handed overkill by the inspector.

Thank you.

 

[infinity]

I don't see how that sections applies to your installation.

(B) Metal or Nonmetallic Poles Supporting Luminaires.
Metal or nonmetallic poles shall be permitted to be used to
support luminaires and as a raceway to enclose supply con-
ductors, provided the following conditions are met:

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I don't see how that sections applies to your installation.

While not exactly the same, I assume that the inspector is concerned about the hole in the pole that will be used to get the conductors into the receptacle box. The welding of a coupling is for structural reasons, and there would be the same structural effect on the pole as there would be if the branch circuit for the light was entering through the side of the pole.
That being said, I have seen many poles with a hole drilled into them for conduit connections, and have not seen any of them have a structural failure as a result of the hole.

 

[Anachronite]

Yea in my opinion this code is telling you how to power up a light pole if you don't have a conduit stubbed up inside of the pole. This has nothing to do with a receptacle in a bell box mounted to the side of the pole. Nevertheless, the inspector is making us weld a nipple onto the pole. He was trying to make us replace the poles, saying the hole we drilled destroyed the pole's UL listing. POles are not UL listed nor are they an electrical appliance. Only the pole head is. Go figure. Another AHJ misinterpreting the code and taking things to the extreme.

 

[infinity]

The welding requirement is for when the pole is being used as a raceway and you need to enter the conductors into the pole. Absent that I don't see how this is required for a box attached to the pole.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

The welding requirement is for when the pole is being used as a raceway and you need to enter the conductors into the pole. Absent that I don't see how this is required for a box attached to the pole.

I don't see how cutting a hole in the pole to let conductors exit the pole and enter the receptacle box is any different structurally from cutting a hole in the pole to let the conductors enter the pole to feed the light.

I agree that the code wording does not apply to the OPs installation, but it is the same physical condition as the rule applies to and I can see the inspector saying that.

 

[infinity]

I don't see how cutting a hole in the pole to let conductors exit the pole and enter the receptacle box is any different structurally from cutting a hole in the pole to let the conductors enter the pole to feed the light.

I agree that the code wording does not apply to the OPs installation, but it is the same physical condition as the rule applies to and I can see the inspector saying that.

I agree, but I didn't see where the OP stated that the pole was being used as a raceway either. If it is then the inspector might be on to something.

 

[GoldDigger]

I agree, but I didn't see where the OP stated that the pole was being used as a raceway either. If it is then the inspector might be on to something.

:thumbsup:
If there is conduit coming out of the ground (say from a handhole) and going up the side of the pole to the receptacle, then I do not think the inspector has a leg to stand on.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I agree, but I didn't see where the OP stated that the pole was being used as a raceway either. If it is then the inspector might be on to something.

Based on the description, I assumed that the power for the receptacle was coming from inside the pole.