Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: trafficmike, Location: Seattle, WA
Asked on: Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 1:10 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 3:19 am EDT
Question: Good day all.First, a disclaimer: I am a civil engineer by training and have been primarily working on street light and traffic signal systems since I began in the field.Now for the question: I am faced with a jurisdiction wanting to put outlets on the street light poles for various uses. The town is a small one and hasn't defined what equipment would be powered from the outlets but I imagine that the main purpose will be small Christmas style lights and potentially small LED lights to illuminate banners also attached on the poles. I looked at NEC 220.14 to determine the loading required for outlets but I am confused on which portion applies to my situation. Is it 220.14(H) Fixed Multi-outlet assemblies or is it 220.14(I)?Thanks in advance for any help on this.Mike
Mike,The portion of NEC 220.14 that applies to your situation is 220.14(I) Luminaires and Lighting Outlets.Specifically, 220.14(I)(1) requires that:> "Lighting outlets installed for the connection of luminaires, lighting accessories, or other utilization equipment shall have a total rating of not less than the load to be supplied."As you mentioned, the main purpose of the outlets will be for small Christmas-style lights and LED lights to illuminate banners. These loads are typically relatively small, so it is unlikely that the total rating of the outlets will need to be very high.However, it is important to consider the potential for future expansion. If the town decides to install additional lighting or other equipment on the poles in the future, the outlets will need to be able to handle the increased load.Therefore, it is advisable to install outlets with a rating that is slightly higher than the current expected load. This will provide some flexibility for future expansion.
Additional Considerations
Make sure the outlets are located in a convenient and accessible location. Use weatherproof outlets to protect them from the elements. Consider using tamper-resistant outlets to prevent unauthorized access. Clearly mark the outlets as being for lighting use only. Provide instructions on how to safely connect and disconnect equipment.I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Additional Resources: [NEC 220.14 - Receptacles and Cord Connectors](https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=70)* [Electrical Outlets on Street Light Poles: Code Requirements](https://www.electricalengineeringgirl.com/electrical-outlets-on-street-light-poles-code-requirements/) Flag for review