How to Mount a Yard Light on a Pole

You can add a yard light pole in an afternoon.

There are many reasons to install outdoor lighting, and a simple project is a pole-mounted yard light. A yard light can add to the nighttime ambiance of your home, but most importantly it provides safety by deterring theft and providing adequate lighting. If you have an existing pole that can be used to mount the yard light, the job is made even more simple.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 inch PVC conduit
• PVC mounting brackets (optional)
• 2 PVC conduit 90 degree elbows
• PVC glue
• Yard light fixture with mounting hardware
• Electric cable
• Screwdriver
• Receptacle box
• Switch

Instructions

Installing the Wiring

1. Call your local municipality and have the ground utilities marked before digging.

2. Dig an 18-inch-deep trench from the pole to the location where the switch for the light is to be installed. Cut a section of PVC conduit the length of the trench.

3. Run the electrical cable down through the pole if you are using a hollow metal lamp post. If you are using a wooden pole, cut a piece of conduit the length of the distance from the light fixture to the bottom of your trench, and attach it to the wood pole with PVC mounting brackets.

4. Glue a 90-degree PVC elbow to the bottom of the conduit if you attached one to the pole. Fish the wire from the pole conduit through the PVC elbow into the conduit that will run the length of the trench. Run the wire through the conduit to the other side.

5. Feed the wire through the second 90 degree elbow, and glue that to the end of the PVC conduit. Be sure the wire is protruding through the elbow at least 8 feet so that there is adequate wire for installation.

6. Cut a section of conduit to lead from the elbow to the switch.

7. Screw the receptacle box in place, and insert the conduit into the bottom of the box.

8. Run the wire leading from the elbow through the conduit to the receptacle and glue the PVC conduit to the elbow.

Mounting the Light

1. Attach the light fixture to the pole with the mounting hardware that came with it.

2. Connect the electrical wires from the fixture to your electric cable using the instructions with the fixture for connecting the wires correctly.

3. Connect the receptacle you installed to the power source you are using for the new circuit. Wire the switch into the receptacle box and connect the electric cable. Turn the power on to the switch and check to be sure the light is working properly.

References

• Popular Mechanics: How To Install A Lamp Post In Your Yard
• ECM Web: Installing Exterior Pole Mounted Lighting Systems