Front yard light posts

[coffeebean]

Our front yard light post has an outlet in the post which is located about 3 feet off the ground level. Anyone know if our front yard light posts are connected to a GFI outlet? I checked the power to my light post early this morning when it was dark out by tripping both of the GFI outlets in my garage which turned off the power to those circuits. The post light still was lit up which tells me that the post light circuit is not on either one of the GFI outlets in my garage. To my knowledge I do not have any other GFI outlets anywhere in our home that can be tripped and reset.

So.......back to the original question: Are our light posts connected to a GFI outlet?

Thanks.

[Ecuadog]

Mine is connected to a circuit breaker in the panel. I believe it can be replaced by a GFI/GFCI circuit breaker.

[MrFlorida]

My light post is connected to a circuit breaker that controls the garage outlets.

[villagetinker]

Our front yard light post has an outlet in the post which is located about 3 feet off the ground level. Anyone know if our front yard light posts are connected to a GFI outlet? I checked the power to my light post early this morning when it was dark out by tripping both of the GFI outlets in my garage which turned off the power to those circuits. The post light still was lit up which tells me that the post light circuit is not on either one of the GFI outlets in my garage. To my knowledge I do not have any other GFI outlets anywhere in our home that can be tripped and reset.

So.......back to the original question: Are our light posts connected to a GFI outlet?

Thanks.

Code requirements would require the post light to be connected to a GFCI breaker or a GFCI receptacle. There may be another GFCI in your garage, we have 4 in ours. It is possible (but unlikely) that the post light is connected to a bathroom GFCI receptacle. You can get an outlet tester that has a push button to test GFCI devices for less than $10. Plug this into the receptacle on the post lamp, cover the electric eye with black tape, and when the post light turns on press the test button. Both the light and the receptacle should turn off. Then your mission (should you decide to accept it) will be to fine the GFCI breaker or receptacle that tripped.

[photo1902]

Code requirements would require the post light to be connected to a GFCI breaker or a GFCI receptacle. There may be another GFCI in your garage, we have 4 in ours. It is possible (but unlikely) that the post light is connected to a bathroom GFCI receptacle. You can get an outlet tester that has a push button to test GFCI devices for less than $10. Plug this into the receptacle on the post lamp, cover the electric eye with black tape, and when the post light turns on press the test button. Both the light and the receptacle should turn off. Then your mission (should you decide to accept it) will be to fine the GFCI breaker or receptacle that tripped.

Not the case. Depending on where in The Villages you live, some post lights are not GFCI protected.

This is completely separate from adding a receptacle to the pole.

[villagetinker]

Not the case. Depending on where in The Villages you live, some post lights are not GFCI protected.

This is completely separate from adding a receptacle to the pole.

OK, good point, I was thinking of the newer building codes, but you are correct, if this is an older house, there may not be a GFCI involved. In that case I would immediately replace the outdoor receptacle with a GFCI unit. Thank you for pointing this out.

[Wildc4ga]

If you have an older home and there hasn’t been a problem, don’t make one.

[coffeebean]

Code requirements would require the post light to be connected to a GFCI breaker or a GFCI receptacle. There may be another GFCI in your garage, we have 4 in ours. It is possible (but unlikely) that the post light is connected to a bathroom GFCI receptacle. You can get an outlet tester that has a push button to test GFCI devices for less than $10. Plug this into the receptacle on the post lamp, cover the electric eye with black tape, and when the post light turns on press the test button. Both the light and the receptacle should turn off. Then your mission (should you decide to accept it) will be to fine the GFCI breaker or receptacle that tripped.

So........there are actually GFI breakers on the breaker panel in the garage? Not all GFI protected outlets are outlets with a reset button? Interesting.

[coffeebean]

Not the case. Depending on where in The Villages you live, some post lights are not GFCI protected.

This is completely separate from adding a receptacle to the pole.

OP here. I live in Mallory Square. The outlet on the light pole looks like the pole came with the outlet. It does not look like the outlet was added after the pole was installed as it is flush with the pole and does not have a "box" that sticks out.

[coffeebean]

If you have an older home and there hasn’t been a problem, don’t make one.

Our home was built in 2007 so I guess that is considered to be an older home.

[Gpsma]

Our front light post has gone out a number of times. Its connected to a GFI that also will blow out all the outlets in the garage and on our lanai.

The idiots that built our house sunk the pole outside and didnt run the wire thru the hole in the pole. They ran it underneath. Over the years, the pole sank, cut the wire, and shorted out the whole GFI curcuit.

Lenhart Electric finally fixed it...dug up around the pole, totally insulated that wire, its been fine since then

One thing I learned...that pole light needs to work. Dont know if its a deed restriction but Lenhardt said they have had customers fined.
Guess im not alone with problems with wiring to that light.
They said, ifwe cant fix it, many people put a solar bulb on the light.

[villagetinker]

So........there are actually GFI breakers on the breaker panel in the garage? Not all GFI protected outlets are outlets with a reset button? Interesting.

Our (2013 vintage house) has GFCI breakers, AFCI breakers, and regular breakers, as well as several GFCI receptacles. In any case, and IMHO, all outside receptacles should be protected by GFCI, and this is a very easy fix for a single receptacle.

[Decadeofdave]

After testing before removal and replacement I found it was connected to kitchen circuit (gfi, makes sense) so I re-marked panel breaker after I replaced the post and light myself.

[villagetinker]

After testing before removal and replacement I found it was connected to kitchen circuit (gfi, makes sense) so I re-marked panel breaker after I replaced the post and light myself.

Thank you for the update.

[coffeebean]

Our (2013 vintage house) has GFCI breakers, AFCI breakers, and regular breakers, as well as several GFCI receptacles. In any case, and IMHO, all outside receptacles should be protected by GFCI, and this is a very easy fix for a single receptacle.

I'll take a look at our breaker box in the garage. Will the GFCI breakers be marked vs the regular breakers?

[Ecuadog]

I'll take a look at our breaker box in the garage. Will the GFCI breakers be marked vs the regular breakers?

This may help.

[gbs317]

I have a question… My lamppost doesn’t have any outlet on it. Was this standard in some villages and not in others?

[La lamy]

I have a question… My lamppost doesn’t have any outlet on it. Was this standard in some villages and not in others?

I bet it's an age situation. I'm in the historic section and my house doesn't have one.

[NoMo50]

I have a question… My lamppost doesn’t have any outlet on it. Was this standard in some villages and not in others?

At least in our area, south of SR-44, outlets on front yard lamp posts were not installed during new construction. I installed one on mine, and have done numerous others for neighbors. They come in quite handy. While I cannot speak for other areas, our lamp posts down here are wired to their own dedicated circuit in the panel. Nothing but the front yard lamp post on that 15A circuit.

[wamley]

My house was built in 2005 and does not have a GFI circuit attached to the light post. The only other outlet on the circuit is the garage door opener. Best if your concerned is to replace circuit breaker to a GFI breaker, but if you rely on getting into your house only by the garage door opening an activated GFI circuit breaker will lock you out.

[Andyb]

By code the outlet has to be GFI protected, probably a GFI breaker controlling the post.

[gbs317]

I bet it's an age situation. I'm in the historic section and my house doesn't have one.
I live south of SR44. Now I’m on a mission to see if I can spot them when golf carting around….lol

[gbs317]

At least in our area, south of SR-44, outlets on front yard lamp posts were not installed during new construction. I installed one on mine, and have done numerous others for neighbors. They come in quite handy. While I cannot speak for other areas, our lamp posts down here are wired to their own dedicated circuit in the panel. Nothing but the front yard lamp post on that 15A circuit.
I didn’t think about installing one myself so I went for the Narnia look and grew a bougainvillea around the lamppost, not one of my better ideas.

[Bay Kid]

My 2004 home the post and flood lights are connected to a inside GFI garage receptacle.

[Dotneko]

We are in St Cats south of 44. House almost 2 years old. There is a separate plug at base of light pole. No power to it though. We will investigate when we have time.

At least in our area, south of SR-44, outlets on front yard lamp posts were not installed during new construction. I installed one on mine, and have done numerous others for neighbors. They come in quite handy. While I cannot speak for other areas, our lamp posts down here are wired to their own dedicated circuit in the panel. Nothing but the front yard lamp post on that 15A circuit.

[Lisanp@aol.com]

During my builder walk-through on new construction, I was told that any GFIs were on breakers, not outlet, and get reset at the panel.

[villagetinker]

I'll take a look at our breaker box in the garage. Will the GFCI breakers be marked vs the regular breakers?

Yes, and they will have a white or yellow TEST button, same goes for the AFCI breakers. If you test one, you must fully move the breaker handle to the OFF position and then to the ON position to reset, the same as if it tripped for a fault.

[Wondering]

Our front yard light post has an outlet in the post which is located about 3 feet off the ground level. Anyone know if our front yard light posts are connected to a GFI outlet? I checked the power to my light post early this morning when it was dark out by tripping both of the GFI outlets in my garage which turned off the power to those circuits. The post light still was lit up which tells me that the post light circuit is not on either one of the GFI outlets in my garage. To my knowledge I do not have any other GFI outlets anywhere in our home that can be tripped and reset.

So.......back to the original question: Are our light posts connected to a GFI outlet?

Thanks.
Check you electric box in the garage. You have to have GFI outlets in your kitchen and bathrooms - it's code.

[vinnytalk]

It seen like you answered it yourself

[geobar]

Call your Builder
or
The Villages Warranty department.

When we lived in the villages (2009-2020) we did not have an outlet, only a photocell to turn the post light off/on.
Think it was on its own circuit.


Our front yard light post has an outlet in the post which is located about 3 feet off the ground level. Anyone know if our front yard light posts are connected to a GFI outlet? I checked the power to my light post early this morning when it was dark out by tripping both of the GFI outlets in my garage which turned off the power to those circuits. The post light still was lit up which tells me that the post light circuit is not on either one of the GFI outlets in my garage. To my knowledge I do not have any other GFI outlets anywhere in our home that can be tripped and reset.

So.......back to the original question: Are our light posts connected to a GFI outlet?

Thanks.

[Bilyclub]

I noticed Premier Houses South of 466A have the outlet on the lamp post.

[MrChipster]

So........there are actually GFI breakers on the breaker panel in the garage? Not all GFI protected outlets are outlets with a reset button? Interesting.

My home in Saint Catherine has the following and all located within the main electrical panel.

Both 220 Volt Circuits do not have GFI protection they are for the air conditioning and Furnace.

The tankless water heater which is 120 volt and gas also does not have a GFI.

The irrigation system which is largely low-voltage also does not have a GFI but that is also not accessible to a normal user.

The only other circuit that does not have a GFI is the post light but that light is a dedicated lighting circuit and does not require a GFI because there is no plug in outlet associated with it.

Saint Catherine is a new area less than two years old and subject to current electrical code.

[Altavia]

My home in Saint Catherine has the following and all located within the main electrical panel.

Both 220 Volt Circuits do not have GFI protection they are for the air conditioning and Furnace.

The tankless water heater which is 120 volt and gas also does not have a GFI.

The irrigation system which is largely low-voltage also does not have a GFI but that is also not accessible to a normal user.

The only other circuit that does not have a GFI is the post light but that light is a dedicated lighting circuit and does not require a GFI because there is no plug in outlet associated with it.

Saint Catherine is a new area less than two years old and subject to current electrical code.

The (green label) are arc-fault circuit interrupters. GFCIs prevent shocks, and AFCIs prevent fires.

An arc-fault detection device is a circuit breaker that breaks the circuit when it detects the electric arcs that are a signature of loose connections in home wiring.

Loose connections, which can develop over time, can sometimes become hot enough to ignite house fires.

They are required in bedrooms, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, sunrooms, kitchens, dens, hallways, laundry rooms, and more.

What is an Arc Fault Circuit Breaker? NEC Requirements Explained (https://www.protoolreviews.com/what-is-arc-fault-circuit-breaker/)

[BrianL]

Our lamp post is connected to a GFI outlet on the side of the garage.

[coffeebean]

I noticed Premier Houses South of 466A have the outlet on the lamp post.

My home is not a premier home and I'm north of 466A and I have an outlet on the lamp post which was part of the lamp post when it was installed.

[coffeebean]

This may help.

Thanks for the photos of the different breakers. I checked our breaker box and we do have two breakers with a "test button". Those breakers are for circuits to the master bedroom and the front guest bedroom. Why they need to be on a GFCI circuit is beyoned me though.

Tonight, after dark and the post lights are on, I will be checking to see if the lamp post is connected to one of those circuits on the breaker box.

Thanks to all who have participated in this thread. I really appreciate the replies.

[coffeebean]

My house was built in 2005 and does not have a GFI circuit attached to the light post. The only other outlet on the circuit is the garage door opener. Best if your concerned is to replace circuit breaker to a GFI breaker, but if you rely on getting into your house only by the garage door opening an activated GFI circuit breaker will lock you out.
I just looked again at our breaker box. It looks as though our post is on the same circuit as the garage door opener and the front door chime and it is not a GFCI circuit breaker. I will check this out tonight when it is dark to make sure the lamp post is on this breaker.

[coffeebean]

By code the outlet has to be GFI protected, probably a GFI breaker controlling the post.

Was this code back in 2007? We are the second owners of this home and there was no problem passing inspection.

[coffeebean]

Check you electric box in the garage. You have to have GFI outlets in your kitchen and bathrooms - it's code.

I did check. I have GFCI outlets in my kitchen and both bathrooms. Any outlet that is near water in the house if protected with the CFCI outlets.

[Ecuadog]

... I will check this out tonight when it is dark to make sure the lamp post is on this breaker.

You don't have to wait until it's dark. Put a piece of dark tape over the sensor's lens on the post. After a minute or so of blocking the sunlight, the sensor will turn on the light.

[Bilyclub]

####

[HJBeck]

Should be connected to a gfi circuit breaker in your load center..

[skipalong]

Our front yard light post has an outlet in the post which is located about 3 feet off the ground level. Anyone know if our front yard light posts are connected to a GFI outlet? I checked the power to my light post early this morning when it was dark out by tripping both of the GFI outlets in my garage which turned off the power to those circuits. The post light still was lit up which tells me that the post light circuit is not on either one of the GFI outlets in my garage. To my knowledge I do not have any other GFI outlets anywhere in our home that can be tripped and reset.

So.......back to the original question: Are our light posts connected to a GFI outlet?

Thanks.

No, the light is on a normal breaker that should be marked in the box, if not put a piece of electrical tape on the photocell and just keep hitting the different breakers to find the one that shuts it off

[Altavia]

Thanks for the photos of the different breakers. I checked our breaker box and we do have two breakers with a "test button".

Those breakers are for circuits to the master bedroom and the front guest bedroom. Why they need to be on a GFCI circuit is beyoned me though.

Thanks to all who have participated in this thread. I really appreciate the replies.

FYI - The breakers for bedrooms are Arc Fault (AFC), they protect against fires (from loose connections).

GFCI breakers protect against electrical shocks.

[Nucky]

I only read the first page Coffeebean. The year your home was built would tell the story of the GFI mystery. I found that my post was not protected. It was an easy fix.

[coffeebean]

You don't have to wait until it's dark. Put a piece of dark tape over the sensor's lens on the post. After a minute or so of blocking the sunlight, the sensor will turn on the light.

Thank you. Black electrical tape? Will that work?

[coffeebean]

I only read the first page Coffeebean. The year your home was built would tell the story of the GFI mystery. I found that my post was not protected. It was an easy fix.
Will do. Thanks.

[Ecuadog]

You don't have to wait until it's dark. Put a piece of dark tape over the sensor's lens on the post. After a minute or so of blocking the sunlight, the sensor will turn on the light.

Thank you. Black electrical tape? Will that work?

Yup.