How to Wire Outdoor Light Posts
Outdoor light posts can brighten up the walkway and driveway. They also add value to your home. Wiring an outdoor light post can be a simple process if you know what you are doing when working with electricity. If you are afraid to work with electricity or do not know what you are doing, hire an electrician because working with electricity can be dangerous. But if you are comfortable with electricity, doing this project yourself will save money. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Drill
- 1-inch concrete drill bit
- Pick
- Shovel
- Electric conduit
- Post hole digger
- Tape measure
- 110 wire
- Wire nuts
- Black tape
- Concrete
- Level
- 110/20 amp breaker
- Flat screwdriver
- Electrical tester
Instructions
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1
Drill a hole through the wall where you'll run the wire for the light post. Use the drill and 1-inch concrete drill bit.
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2
Dig a trench for the electrical conduit from the house to the light post site, using a pick and shovel.
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3
Dig a hole where you are putting the light post, using the shovel, pick, and the post hole digger.
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4
Measure the wire from the breaker box to the light post.
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5
Run the wire for the electrical conduit. When you reach the light post, leave 2 to 4 inches of extra wire to give yourself room to wire the light post.
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6
Wire the light post by putting the black wire on the black wire, the white wire on the white wire, and the copper wire on the copper wire.
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7
Put the wire nuts on and tighten them down by turning them clockwise. Tape up the wire nuts with the black tape until they are completely covered. Put the light post in the hole you dug. Add the concrete and the water and mix them with the shovel. Use the level to make sure the light post is plumb and let it set for 24 hours.
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8
Cut and clean the wires at the breaker box. Put the black wire in the breaker and the white wire and the copper wire in the ground bars in the breaker box.
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9
Inspect the breaker and make sure it is turned off before putting it in the breaker box. Put the breaker in and tighten it down with the flat screwdriver. Turn the breaker on and test the light post with the electrical tester. After everything is working properly, put the dirt back in the trench. Repeat steps 1 through 9 for additional light posts.
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Tips & Warnings
Always use the electrical conduit when you are working outside with electricity.
