Street Light Poles

[teejer]

I can't find light poles anywhere in the NEC code. There is a manufacturer out there who has come out with a heavy duty lock for the access cover at the base of the pole. Some municipalities have bought them and the company is trying to get some DOT approval in different states. Here is the link to the website www.copperwiretheft.com. Basically, the access cover gets changed out for this lock cover. Does anyone see any NEC code issues with using something like this? I suppose DOT's and some municipalities might have their own codes for street lighting? Thanks.

 

[480sparky]

Light poles would fall under Art. 410.

And here's a link that works.

 

[charlie]

Does anyone see any NEC code issues with using something like this?

Poles and street light columns in the public rights-of-way are not covered by the NEC but by the NESC. This is making the assumption that they are owned by either the serving electric utility or a government entity. If it is a government entity, they get to choose which Code they wish to work with. :smile:

 

[Rampage_Rick]

The lights at the highway interchange closest to here have been knocked out at least 5 times in the past year. These are on the Trans-Canada Highway, so they come under the jurisdiction of MoTH. Last time around they welded all the pole covers on. Then they dug up the JBs next to every pole, moved them 1' deeper, and parked 24" x 36" x 6" concrete slabs on top.

Priority Assessment for Wire Theft Deterrent Treatment for New Designs and Projects in the Construction Phase
The Electrical Engineering Centre will determine the project wire theft risk based on a weighted assessment and will specify the “hardening” treatment to be utilized using a standard format email.

 

[tom baker]

You can't find street lighting poles as they are Luminare Poles and are in article 410.
Washington State has had $500K in wire thefts over a 16 month period. If the handhole covers are welded on they just jerk out the handhole.