| There are several projects for which you might | | | | by the manufacturer. There will likely be a |
| find a need to install concrete commercial light | | | | separate graph for different wind speeds. If the |
| poles. Among these uses are mounting lights for | | | | average wind in your area is 100 mph, then you |
| tennis courts, sports arenas, and street lamps. | | | | would use the 100 mph graph. The numbers on |
| Concrete poles have similar strength advantages | | | | the bottom of the graph, the x-axis, will be the |
| seen with those made of metal, but lack the | | | | EPA or the area lit by the lamp. The numbers |
| conductivity. This makes concrete preferable for | | | | along the side of the graph, on the y-axis, is the |
| electrical mounting applications. If you intend to | | | | length of the arm holding up the lamp. The |
| install concrete sports light poles yourself, you will | | | | intersection of these points on the graph will tell |
| need to acquaint yourself with the mounting | | | | you the class of concrete light pole that you will |
| methods as well as knowing how to select the | | | | need to purchase. If it falls between two classes, |
| correct pole for your project. Once you know the | | | | you will need the higher of the two in the pole |
| basics, installing these poles can be a simple task. | | | | selection guide. |
| When you are trying to determine which concrete | | | | Now that you know the class of concrete light |
| commercial light pole mount is best for your | | | | pole you need, how will you mount it? There are |
| project, you need to gather some specifics about | | | | three common methods. The easiest and most |
| the job to narrow down your choices. First of all, | | | | common is a direct embedment. This is where |
| how high will the light be from the ground? The | | | | the pole is placed into a prepared hole with a |
| mount height of the pole measures from the | | | | granular base for drainage in the ground and |
| ground to the base of the lamp, while the height | | | | recovered with the soil. Other forms of mounting |
| of the light is from the ground to the lamp itself. | | | | include base plate and socket. Base plate mounting |
| If your lamp is to be mounted on an arm atop | | | | involves anchoring the plates into a pre-poured, or |
| the pole mount, what is the area lit? This number, | | | | pre-existing concrete foundation. Socket mounting |
| measured in square feet, is called the Effective | | | | also requires a concrete poured foundation where |
| Projected Area (EPA). You will also need to know | | | | the light pole might be mounted even with the |
| how far away from the pole the lamp will be | | | | ground level, or built up higher for added strength. |
| from the commercial outdoor pole light. This is the | | | | The mounting method will determine the length of |
| horizontal distance which will be the same as the | | | | light pole you will need. If you intend to use the |
| length of the arm to which the lamp is attached. | | | | simple direct embedment, then you will need to |
| Once you know these numbers take a look at a | | | | add 10% of the pole's height plus an additional |
| wind speed map from your concrete light pole | | | | two feet. Add these two numbers to the height |
| manufacturer. After finding the average wind | | | | you need the light to be from the ground and |
| speeds encountered in your area of the United | | | | then order the length of concrete light pole which |
| States, you will need to go to a graph provided | | | | comes the closest. |