light posts and equipment grounding

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kwired

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
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EC
How many feel you must run a wire EGC to luminaires up a metal post to luminaire(s) mounted to the pole.

How many feel 250.136(A) would allow the luminaire(s) to be considered grounded if they are securely fastened to the pole and the pole has EGC attached near the base?
 
Well... I'll throw 410.44 into the ring. But if you bring an EGC to the base, and bond the luminaire's bonding jumper to clean metal on the pole... I'm okay with that by the way I read the code. Others could say otherwise though.
 
Very likely grounded but as mentioned above, 410.44 requires grounding by way of an approved 250.118 method and the light pole is not one. Might well be a point in litigation.
 
augie47 said:
Very likely grounded but as mentioned above, 410.44 requires grounding by way of an approved 250.118 method and the light pole is not one. Might well be a point in litigation.
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Kind of how I think it will be interpreted, was wondering if anyone thought 250.136(A) might be able be used here?
 
A moderator question...
Isn't a luminaire pole considered a raceway?
Your question has never come up before.
There is a bonding lug at the bottom of the pole, where would the egc be bonded at the top?
I need to check if poles are required to be listed.
 
LarryFine said:
Which means the question is really whether the luminaire/pole mounting interface can be considered a bonded connection.
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Yes that is exactly what I am trying to figure out.

Most of us know that that the luminaire is likely well bonded, probably with less resistance than a 14 or 12 AWG conductor would have, but does NEC recognize that or does there still need to be a EGC run up the pole?
 
kwired said:
Most of us know that that the luminaire is likely well bonded, probably with less resistance than a 14 or 12 AWG conductor would have, but does NEC recognize that or does there still need to be a EGC run up the pole?
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I can't imagine that every bolted metal-to-metal connection must be approved.
 
LarryFine said:
I can't imagine that every bolted metal-to-metal connection must be approved.
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Two fixtures on top of pole. welded (IIRC) to the pole, but at very least bolted to the pole, then set screws that dig into stem when tightened to secure fixture to the stem. Removable cap on top of pole to access connections, EGC lug at handhole near bottom of pole.

Older pole, don't think it was "home made" Handholes on those are more home made looking than this one is.
Probably will be looking at it again sometime today can get more details if needed.

I'll throw in it is on a gas station island. Owners changed the luminaires from HID's to LED's themselves. Inspector noticed and wanted to know who did it and where is the permit? "You can't do that you have to be licensed".

I get that to some extent. All they did was twist off two wire nuts, loosen set screws, swap luminaires, tighten set screws, twist two wire nuts back on.

Now I have to pull permit and I wanted to know if he is going to climb a ladder and inspect those connections as that is about all there is to inspect and it certainly can't be done from the ground. He seemed concerned about two things - is there a seal off in the incoming raceway and is there an EGC run to the luminaires and to the pole. I said I'm pretty sure there is a EGC to the pole, what difference does it make if there is one from there to the luminaires the bolted connection to the pole should ground the luminaires just fine.
 
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