How to Wire a Temporary Electrical Pole

Light poles are used around homes, in gardens, street and parking lots to light up these areas. Using the outdoor lights, people walking in the dark are able to see and walk safely. These lights also add aesthetic value to the places they are used, for example they make driveways to homes and streets more appealing at night. You can erect your own pole. The directions are for a temporary set up, but if properly secured, it will last indefinitely.

Things You'll Need

  • Post hole digger or power auger
  • Measuring tape
  • Post
  • Outdoor lamp
  • Electrical wiring
  • Wire cutter and stripper
  • Switch
  • Electrical tape
  • Screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Dig a hole in the location that you want to install the light post using an auger. Use a post hole digger, or you can rent a power auger from a home improvement store. Make sure that the hole is at least 2-1/2-feet deep to ensure that the light pole will fit in firmly.

    • 2

      Dig out a trench from the location of the light pole hole to the power source. Make sure that the trench is at least 12 inches deep for the safety of the electric cable that will run through it. During installation, use PVC sheathed cables that are underground rated.

    • 3

      Run the PVC sheathed cable from the power source end to the lamp end leaving an ample length of it on the ends to work on. Insert the cable on the lamp end through the shaft of the post to its upper end where you will mount the lamp. Screw in the lamp holder onto the upper end of the post, then connect the two wires of the cable to the two terminals of the holder.

    • 4

      Connect the lamp to the electric circuit powering all other outdoor lights in the area. Join the live wire which is red, brown or black in color within the cable to the live terminal of the power source and the negative wire which is either white or gray in color to the negative terminal. Green is usually the color of the ground wire. Firmly screw these wires into place with the screwdriver and cover any exposed areas of the wire with electrical tape.

    • 5

      Screw the bulb into the socket of the lamp holder then install the lamp cover. Cover up the trench with soil and plant grass seed on the dirt area if necessary

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