electric receptacle installed in lamp post

[waltwl]

anyone have a electric receptacle installed in lamp post

[photo1902]

anyone have a electric receptacle installed in lamp post

Yes. Many have them. Several things to consider.

1) Is the circuit on your lamppost GFCI protected. Depending on where you live in The Villages, some are, some aren't. It's important to know your particular status.

2) If it is GFCI protected, you can install an appropriate receptacle box, which will include a TR/WR receptacle, and an in-use cover.

3) If it is not GFCI protected, you'll need an appropriate receptacle box, to include a WR/TR GFCI receptacle and an in-use cover.

Lastly, avoid the receptacles that are curved and match the contour of the lamppost. There are often sold by local vendors. These are not NEC compliant, as they do not provide in-use protection.

If you have any doubts, and are not confident in tackling this job by yourself, hire an electrician.

[n8xwb]

I just read the previous reply -- I have no idea how accurate the information is. That being said, I do know that I installed an outlet on my post 5 years ago. It is curved. I have used it everyday, 24 hours a day to keep my PHEV (plug in hybrid electric vehicle), a Chevy Volt charged. It is handling 12 amps, rain or shine. It is on a circuit that also is used for the attic light and the garage door opener. It is not GFCI protected. I have had no problems with it. I live in a courtyard villa in Sabal Chase.

[villagetinker]

I just read the previous reply -- I have no idea how accurate the information is. That being said, I do know that I installed an outlet on my post 5 years ago. It is curved. I have used it everyday, 24 hours a day to keep my PHEV (plug in hybrid electric vehicle), a Chevy Volt charged. It is handling 12 amps, rain or shine. It is on a circuit that also is used for the attic light and the garage door opener. It is not GFCI protected. I have had no problems with it. I live in a courtyard villa in Sabal Chase.

You are taking a chance by not having a GFCI receptacle installed, these are less than $20, and well worth the money. For example, you use this outlet for a set of hedge trimmers, and accidently nick the cord, you could be shocked or worse. On the other hand, every lamp post I have helped neighbors with was connected to a GFCI in the garage or a dedicated GFCI breaker.

[retiredguy123]

One simple option is to buy a screw-in outlet for the light bulb socket.

[photo1902]

I just read the previous reply -- I have no idea how accurate the information is. That being said, I do know that I installed an outlet on my post 5 years ago. It is curved. I have used it everyday, 24 hours a day to keep my PHEV (plug in hybrid electric vehicle), a Chevy Volt charged. It is handling 12 amps, rain or shine. It is on a circuit that also is used for the attic light and the garage door opener. It is not GFCI protected. I have had no problems with it. I live in a courtyard villa in Sabal Chase.

What I posted are NEC requirements, not an opinion of mine.

And to the other poster, there are absolutely parts of The Villages where post lamps are not GFCI protected. In fact when they were installed, it might not have been required by the NEC.

[villagetinker]

I stand corrected, thank you, as I have not helped any villagers in older sections. I agree with your comments about the current code requirements. As for the prior comment about screwing in an adapter into the lamp socket, there are so many things wrong with doing this. First, the adapter has only 2 prong and NO GROUND, second the lamp is typically only energized when the sun is down, third, the lamp post sensor is NOT rated for motor type loads. Please do not do this.

[retiredguy123]

I stand corrected, thank you, as I have not helped any villagers in older sections. I agree with your comments about the current code requirements. As for the prior comment about screwing in an adapter into the lamp socket, there are so many things wrong with doing this. First, the adapter has only 2 prong and NO GROUND, second the lamp is typically only energized when the sun is down, third, the lamp post sensor is NOT rated for motor type loads. Please do not do this.
I don't know about the safety of the screw-in outlets, but they do have ones with 3 prongs, and a piece of tape over the sensor will energize it. The OP didn't say he was going to plug in a motor. Wouldn't it be fine for additional lighting?

[photo1902]

I don't know about the safety of the screw-in outlets, but they do have ones with 3 prongs, and a piece of tape over the sensor will energize it. The OP didn't say he was going to plug in a motor. Wouldn't it be fine for additional lighting?

Aside from the aesthetics of a cord hanging down, most light fixtures are enclosed and you have to remove the top cover to change a bulb. Not to mention a large number of the light fixtures use a candelabra base(s).

[retiredguy123]

Aside from the aesthetics of a cord hanging down, most light fixtures are enclosed and you have to remove the top cover to change a bulb. Not to mention a large number of the light fixtures use a candelabra base(s).
My lamppost has 3 candelabra bulbs, and I don't need to remove the top cover to replace the bulbs. They are accessible from the bottom. And, they do sell screw-in outlets with 3 prongs for candelabra sockets. I'm not saying that you should use them, but they are available. It seems to me that you would use the exterior wall outlet to operate motorized equipment. But, you could use a screw-in outlet for temporary Christmas lights or other lighting. That is, if they are safe.

[Sandy and Ed]

I just read the previous reply -- I have no idea how accurate the information is. That being said, I do know that I installed an outlet on my post 5 years ago. It is curved. I have used it everyday, 24 hours a day to keep my PHEV (plug in hybrid electric vehicle), a Chevy Volt charged. It is handling 12 amps, rain or shine. It is on a circuit that also is used for the attic light and the garage door opener. It is not GFCI protected. I have had no problems with it. I live in a courtyard villa in Sabal Chase.
Might need to replace it when selling the house. I just had a box installed on my light pole. Electrician said I could not use a curved box that was not gfci protected since it violated code. Figured my home owner insurance would be affected so opted for what the licensed electrician recommended (he would not have installed a non-code box anyhow). Just saying…. Listen to the Tinker.

[lawgolfer]

I just read the previous reply -- I have no idea how accurate the information is. That being said, I do know that I installed an outlet on my post 5 years ago. It is curved. I have used it everyday, 24 hours a day to keep my PHEV (plug in hybrid electric vehicle), a Chevy Volt charged. It is handling 12 amps, rain or shine. It is on a circuit that also is used for the attic light and the garage door opener. It is not GFCI protected. I have had no problems with it. I live in a courtyard villa in Sabal Chase.

Having an outdoor receptacle that is not protected by a GFCI risks death or serious injury to the user. It's one thing to risk your own health, but another to risk that of the next owner of your house. Many years ago, a young father in our son's Scout Troop plugged a drill into a non-GFCI outside receptacle installed by the previous owner. He was barefoot and stepped off the concrete patio onto the lawn, and was immediately electrocuted. It wasn't merely a matter of being "shocked". Instead, he was frozen in place and could not let go of the drill. His wife found him after some period of time and pulled the plug from the outlet. The man suffered permanent brain and heart damage. He was a Phd agronomist with a large agribusiness with a promising future. Afterwards, he could remember little about agronomy or his job. Thankfully, his employer kept him on in a minor position.

[Captainpd]

One simple option is to buy a screw-in outlet for the light bulb socket.
That's not an "easy" solution. That's not even a real option

[HospitalCoder]

anyone have a electric receptacle installed in lamp post

I had one installed a couple of months ago by Ken Smillie 843-814-3391.
He is an electrician/handyman.

[JGibson]

Having an outdoor receptacle that is not protected by a GFCI risks death or serious injury to the user. It's one thing to risk your own health, but another to risk that of the next owner of your house. Many years ago, a young father in our son's Scout Troop plugged a drill into a non-GFCI outside receptacle installed by the previous owner. He was barefoot and stepped off the concrete patio onto the lawn, and was immediately electrocuted. It wasn't merely a matter of being "shocked". Instead, he was frozen in place and could not let go of the drill. His wife found him after some period of time and pulled the plug from the outlet. The man suffered permanent brain and heart damage. He was a Phd agronomist with a large agribusiness with a promising future. Afterwards, he could remember little about agronomy or his job. Thankfully, his employer kept him on in a minor position.

I’m sorry to hear this but honestly who does any drilling barefoot? Or anything electrical barefoot?

I see people out on their lawns all the time trimming bushes and whatnot barefoot. I don't get it and they obviously never sat in a construction safety class.
Don’t use power tools electrical or cordless without foot protection.

[jimjamuser]

anyone have a electric receptacle installed in lamp post
Yes, WHY ??????

[cah177]

How much ? $

[villagetinker]

Several people are missing a point, screw in lamp sockets have ONLY 2 wires, HOT and NEUTRAL there is NO ground connection, so even if you get an adapter with three connections, YOU DO NOT HAVE A TRUE CONNECTION TO GROUND. YOU DO NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY A TRUE CONNECTION TO GROUND. I hope you have a good life insurance policy.

[photo1902]

Several people are missing a point, screw in lamp sockets have ONLY 2 wires, HOT and NEUTRAL there is NO ground connection, so even if you get an adapter with three connections, YOU DO NOT HAVE A TRUE CONNECTION TO GROUND. YOU DO NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY A TRUE CONNECTION TO GROUND. I hope you have a good life insurance policy.

Excellent point.

And when adding a receptacle box to the post, it too must be grounded (along with the receptacle).

[Laurel Maryland]

You are taking a chance by not having a GFCI receptacle installed, these are less than $20, and well worth the money. For example, you use this outlet for a set of hedge trimmers, and accidently nick the cord, you could be shocked or worse. On the other hand, every lamp post I have helped neighbors with was connected to a GFCI in the garage or a dedicated GFCI breaker.

Can you tell me if our lamp posts need to be cemented in? Are there pros/cons? Thank you.

[villagetinker]

Can you tell me if our lamp posts need to be cemented in? Are there pros/cons? Thank you.

I have no idea, the 3 or 4 that is have helped neighbors with were just buried about a foot to 1.5 feet in the ground. Be careful about how the under ground wire enters the post, 2 of the houses with problems were due to bad splices or rough edges on the post that cut into the cable. IMHO, IF you want to use concrete, I would use the mix in place technique. Once the new post has the underground cable PROPERLY installed, you simple pour a bag or 2 of concrete mix (dry) into the hole with the post in place, and water. The result is typically stronger than straight dirt, but not a strong as mixing the concrete and pouring it in the hole.
A word of caution, be very careful if SPLICES are needed and make sure these are UL approved underground waterproof splices or you will have future problems. I modified my reply based on a later comment, CONCRET IS NOT NECESSARY, compacted soil typically works very well.

[photo1902]

Can you tell me if our lamp posts need to be cemented in? Are there pros/cons? Thank you.

No. Do not cement the post in. There is absolutely no need. They are installed by compacting the soil once it's in place. The builder does not concrete them, and when they need to be replaced, it makes the job a lot easier.

[Laurel Maryland]

Thank you Villagetinker and Photo1902!