how do you replace an outdoor lamp post fixture

^{How to Replace an Outdoor Lamp Post Fixture}

1. Make sure the power to the lamp post fixture is OFF. ...
2. Look at the base of the fixture where it sits atop the lamp post. ...
3. Depending on your type of fixture, there should be additional bolts or screws holding the fixture's topper in place, or if your fixture comes to a point and ...
4. Take your touch-type voltage tester and stick it directly inside the socket to test for power. ...
5. If there is any removable glass in the existing fixture, remove it now. It should slide right out of the frame.
6. If you don't have a helping hand, you can carefully lay the existing fixture on a ladder shelf or let it float in midair, supported by the wires.
Remove the wire connectors and place the disconnected light fixture out of your immediate path so you don't accidentally trip on it.
Make your wire connections-black to black, white to white and ground to ground. Wrap each wire connector in electrical tape to help keep moisture out.
Secure the new light fixture to the pole using the bolts that came with it. ...
Turn the breaker back on and test the light. That's all it takes to replace your lamppost's fixture.

How do you remove a light fixture from a lamp post?

It should slide right out of the frame. Begin removing the bolts that are securing the fixture to the lamp post with a wrench. With the bolts removed, disconnect the wires from the socket and lift the fixture up and off of the post. Replacement is the opposite of the removal.

How do I replace a lamppost light in my driveway?

In this video, Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron helps a homeowner replace a lamppost light in his driveway. Turn off power to the area by shutting down the circuit breaker. Disconnect the existing lantern fixture from the post. Cut, using wire cutters, or disconnect the wiring that attaches the fixture to the post wiring.

How do you replace the post on a lantern post?

Disconnect the existing lantern fixture from the post. Cut, using wire cutters, or disconnect the wiring that attaches the fixture to the post wiring. Using a shovel, dig out around the post and remove the current post from the ground. Position the new aluminum post in the old hole.

How do I protect an outdoor lamp post from being damaged?

Find the circuit breaker that controls your outdoor lamp post, and turn it off. Don't rely on a light switch as your protection, but turn off the breaker and block it off with a piece of tape to prevent someone from accidentally turning it on while you are working. The exterior lamp post may have a skirt or casing that encloses the mounting bolts.

How do you replace a lamp post top?

1:457:52How to Replace a Lamppost | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what we need to do now is just remove the old one start digging the post a little bit deeper andMoreSo what we need to do now is just remove the old one start digging the post a little bit deeper and get ready to set this. Great.

How do you remove an outdoor light post?

Turn off the circuit breaker that connects the lamp post with the building's main power. ... Dig around three sides of the lamp post until you reach the bottom of the base. ... Shove the tanker bar into the soil on the side of the lamp post that wasn't dug. ... Lift the lamp post and place it in the wheelbarrow for easy removal.More items...

How do I change a lamp post outlet?

Steps for Replacing a Lamppost:Step 1: Call in the pros to help. ... Step 2: Ensure the wires are GFCI protected. ... Step 3: Start with turning off the power. ... Step 4: Dig a hole for the post. ... Step 5: Place the post into the ground. ... Step 6: Install the base. ... Step 7: Make the wire connections.More items...

How do you change a bulb in an outdoor lamp post?

0:131:13How To Change A Lamp Post Light Bulb - Heartland Homes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you won't have a switch to turn it on and off it comes on automatically at night all you need toMoreSo you won't have a switch to turn it on and off it comes on automatically at night all you need to do to change the bulbs out is unscrew. The top of the lamp post. Completely. And take it off.

How do you fix a fallen lamp post?

0:080:53How to Repair an Outside Lightpost - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut the glass in place align the parts and press together gently for a few minutes the adhesiveMorePut the glass in place align the parts and press together gently for a few minutes the adhesive withstands rain temperature and vibrations. Let it cure overnight. It's done.

How much does it cost to install an outdoor lamp post?

Lamp Post. Lamp posts cost an average of $700 to install, but you can pay anywhere from $400 to $1,000. Because homeowners usually have lamp posts installed a fair distance from their property—often close to the sidewalk—they cost more to install; the pro has to run electricity from your home to the lamp post.

What kind of bulb goes in a lamp post?

0:331:50What bulb should I use in my Lamp Post Lantern? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHere we've got a four watt LED glow balled that'll output at about 320 lumens which will give us aMoreHere we've got a four watt LED glow balled that'll output at about 320 lumens which will give us a good area of light coverage. And we've opted for an amber or wall white coloration.

How do you install an outdoor light post?

Step-By-Step Guide in Installing an Outdoor Post LampStep #1: Dig the posthole and trench. ... Step #2: Install the PVC conduit. ... Step #3: Fill the posthole with concrete. ... Step #4: Set the post into the concrete footing. ... Step #5: Install the lamppost. ... Step #6: Brace the lamppost perfectly plumb. ... Step #7: Make the wire connections.

How do you install a light pole?

Pole Installation GuidelinesAttach sling to top of pole.Attach luminaries and complete wiring.Place leveling nuts and washers on anchor bolts.Erect pole.Position over anchor bolts and set on leveling nut washers.Place anchor nuts and washers on anchor bolts and tighten once pole is plumb.

How do you install outdoor pillar lights?

0:382:49Pillar Light - How to Install - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI like to pre thread the anchors onto the base this allows me to set the proper height of the anchorMoreI like to pre thread the anchors onto the base this allows me to set the proper height of the anchor before installation. Once installed pass your wire through the base. Set on your cap.

How to remove anchor bolts?

Removing the nuts this way helps prevent the post from falling to one side as it is released. If the nuts are too tight, you may need to apply a penetrating fluid such as WD-40 and allow it to soak in between the bolt threads.

Do lamp posts have skirts?

The exterior lamp post may have a skirt or casing that encloses the mounting bolts. If it does, remove that casing. If there is an access panel that allows access to the wiring, remove that panel. Not all lamp posts will have these features, but they are relatively common.

Do you need to cover a lamp post with black tape?

Turn the power on to the lamp post and make sure that it works properly. If the lamp is on a photoelectric sensor, you may need to cover the sensor with black electrical tape.

Can you cut wires from a lamp post?

Since you will be discarding the old lamp post, you can simply cut the wires as close to the wires nuts where they connect to the lamp as possible. If the extra wire is at a premium, it may be better to remove the wire nuts instead, conserving all of the excess wire there is.

Who is the electrician who replaces a lamppost light in his driveway?

In this video, Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron helps a homeowner replace a lamppost light in his driveway.

How to turn off power to area?

Turn off power to the area by shutting down the circuit breaker.

How to test if a lamp post is off?

Turn off the circuit breaker that connects the lamp post with the building's main power. Use a voltage tester to confirm that the power is off before removing the wires leading from the circuit breaker or a junction to the post . Voltage testers are found at any hardware store, and can be as simple as two leads with a light bulb attached. When the leads are placed on the wires, the bulb will light up if there is electricity in the wires.

Is it labor intensive to remove lamp posts?

Lamp post removal can be a labor intensive task.

Consider the Wiring

Figuring out how to wire a lamp post isn't difficult. The best option is to simply wire your lamp post to a nearby outlet. Use a GFCI-protected one mounted on a nearby deck, patio or porch.

Dig the Hole and Trench

Use a posthole digger to create a hole that’s about 18- to 24-inches deep and 6-inches in diameter. Check the lamp post manufacturer's guidelines.

Connect the Conduit

Here's the basic steps of wiring a lamp post to an outlet with rigid non-metallic conduit (RNC).

Insert the Lamp Post

Put the lamp post down on the ground and pull the wires through, working from the bottom to the top.

How to Wire the Lamp Post

After your concrete has hardened, remove the work straps. It's now time to wire your lantern to the lamp post. For this part, you’ll need a utility knife, wire strippers and wire nuts. Make sure all power is off at the main breaker box before you begin.

How to Install a Lamp Post Without Concrete

Lamp posts typically require using concrete for stability and support. However, if you’re trying to install a temporary lamp post, here's how to do it without without using concrete.

What do I need to replace an outdoor light fixture?

Tools needed when replacing an outdoor light fixture are pretty few and you probably already have most of them. A screwdriver will be the most used tool on this install. Depending on the vintage of your home you may need both a standard and phillips driver. Also, you’ll need a non-contact voltage detector. Mine was AWOL so I used the auto meter in the picture. Finally, you may need a wire stripper or pliers. Gather these up, and you’re ready to go.

How long does it take for outdoor lights to wear out?

Five years is just about the time where some minor wear and tear starts to show up. Some items start to not work as well as they use to either because they’re wore out or maintenance was deferred. One such item for us was an outdoor light fixture out on the deck. For one reason or another, it developed a short and would flicker when it was turned on. I’m sure our neighbors thought we were either calling for help or having a dance party. Maybe you’re in a similar situation or your just looking for a change of outdoor lighting scenery. Either way, we’ll show you how to easy a task replacing an outdoor light fixture can be.

What are the different sizes of lighting fixtures?

Another thing to consider is the size of the fixture. Fixtures come in roughly 3 sizes, small, medium, and large. These sizes don’t really mean much when you see all of the fixtures up on the wall at the lighting store.

Can you use bolts off of a light fixture?

If possible, it is best to use the bolts off of the old bracket to secure it to the box. The new light probably comes with 6-32 machine screws but if the old one was secured with 8-32s, use those. The new light fixture often times has a pretty long ground cable.

What to do if a lamp post doesn't light?

When darkness falls and a dusk-to-dawn lamp post fails to light, the first thing you should do is check the bulb. But if a new bulb doesn't fix the problem, or the lamp continues to exhibit odd behavior such as flickering or turning on during the day, it's most likely a bad photocell. You'll have to do some wiring to replace a lamp post photocell, but with the proper precautions it's a safe, straightforward procedure.

How to replace a lamp post photocell?

1. Turn off power to the lamp post at the service panel circuit breaker. Lock the service panel if possible, or place a piece of tape across the break er and a warning sign on the panel cover so ...

How to install photocell in lamp?

Insert the barrel of the photocell into the mounting hole in the lamp assembly or post. Thread on the photocell retaining nut and tighten it securely with a pair of pliers.

How to connect a photocell to a post?

Connect the black wire of the new photocell to the black house wire coming from the post with a wire nut. Twist the red wire of the photocell and the black wire coming from the light bulb receptacle together and connect them using a wire nut. Twist the white wire of the photocell together with the white wire coming from the light bulb receptacle, then connect them to the white house wire with a wire nut. Secure each wire nut to the wires it connects by wrapping it with two or three turns of electrical tape.

How to remove photocell from lamp post?

Remove the photocell by unscrewing the retaining nut holding it to the lamp assembly or post. Pull the photocell and associated wiring far enough out of its mounting position to make it easier to work on. Don't put undue stress on the wiring or allow it to rub against a sharp surface such as the top edge of the lamp post.

How to secure photocell retaining nut?

Secure each wire nut to the wires it connects by wrapping it with two or three turns of electrical tape. Insert the barrel of the photocell into the mounting hole in the lamp assembly or post. Thread on the photocell retaining nut and tighten it securely with a pair of pliers.

Step 1 - Kill The Power

Step 2 - Skirts and Access Panels

Step 3 - Disconnect The Wiring

Step 4 - Remove The Old Lamp Post

Step 5 - Reverse The Process

• Installing the new post is the exact reverse of removing the old one. Stand the pole up on the anchor bolts and put the nuts on first. After that, connect the electrical wiring to the wiring inside the lamp post, taking care to connect the wires properly. Do not install the casing or access panels until the lamp has been tested, just in case there ...

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