Buyers Guide to Light Poles

Light poles serve as the backbone of effective outdoor illumination systems, supporting fixtures at optimal heights to ensure proper light distribution across streets, parking areas, and public spaces. Based on our 17 years of commercial lighting experience, selecting the right pole involves balancing height requirements, environmental conditions, and fixture compatibility to create safe, well-lit environments. The success of any outdoor lighting project depends heavily on choosing poles that match both immediate needs and long-term performance expectations.

Key Considerations for Light Pole Selection

Successfully specifying light poles requires understanding how different factors interact to affect performance and longevity. We typically recommend starting with your lighting requirements—determining necessary light levels and coverage areas—then working backward to identify appropriate pole specifications.

Most of our customers find that considering mounting height, wind load requirements, and local soil conditions early in the planning process prevents costly changes later. Material selection becomes critical when factoring in maintenance schedules and lifecycle costs, particularly for large-scale installations where replacement becomes expensive and disruptive.

Height and Size Requirements

Determining optimal pole height involves calculating the relationship between mounting height, fixture output, and desired foot-candle levels at ground level. Higher poles provide broader light distribution but require more powerful fixtures to maintain adequate illumination levels. We recommend these height ranges based on typical applications:

• 10 to 15-foot Poles: residential areas, small parking lots, pathways, or decorative lighting in gardens and landscapes.
• 20 to 25-foot Poles: lighting in urban streets, residential neighborhoods, small parking lots, and areas where moderate illumination is required.
• 30 to 35-foot Poles: larger parking lots, commercial areas, sports fields, and medium-sized streets with higher illumination needs.
• 40 to 45-foot Poles: highways, major roadways, large parking lots, and industrial zones where you’ll need a wide illumination area.
• 50 to 55-foot Poles: large industrial complexes, airports, seaports, and expansive outdoor spaces that require intense illumination. High mast applications supporting multiple fixtures maximize coverage while minimizing the number of poles required.
• 60 to 65 Foot Poles: projects that need exceptionally high light coverage, such as stadium lighting, large industrial yards, and expansive outdoor areas where uniform illumination across vast spaces is essential.
• 70 to 75 Foot Poles: specialized projects such as airport runways, major highways, and other situations where lighting needs to cover vast distances. Wind load calculations become especially critical at these heights.

Material and Durability

Material choice directly impacts both upfront costs and long-term maintenance requirements. Each material offers distinct advantages depending on environmental conditions and application requirements. From our experience, aluminum provides the best balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and weight for most commercial applications, while steel offers superior strength for high-wind areas or when supporting heavy fixture loads.

Wood

Wooden light poles work well in rural settings, parks, and historical districts where natural aesthetics matter most. However, they require regular inspection and treatment to prevent rot and insect damage, making them less cost-effective for large installations.

Steel

Steel light poles excel in industrial environments, loading docks, and high-traffic areas where maximum strength is essential. Hot-dip galvanized steel provides excellent corrosion protection, though powder coating is often added for enhanced durability and appearance.

Fiberglass / Composite

Fiberglass poles offer unique advantages in coastal environments or areas with high electrical activity. Their non-conductive properties eliminate lightning strike risks, while their flexibility allows them to bend rather than break under extreme wind loads.

Aluminum

Aluminum poles deliver exceptional corrosion resistance without additional coatings, making them ideal for coastal installations or areas with high humidity. Their lighter weight simplifies transportation and installation while still providing adequate strength for most applications.

Lighting Fixtures Compatibility

Matching poles to fixtures involves more than simple mounting compatibility. Wind load calculations must account for fixture surface area, while electrical requirements determine conduit routing and junction box placement. Modern LED fixtures typically require 120-277V input with integrated drivers that automatically adjust to available voltage. We often specify poles with 4-inch diameter openings for easy wire pulling, along with pre-installed grounding lugs and weatherproof electrical connections. Arm configurations vary from single-arm decorative styles to multi-arm high-mast arrangements, with each requiring different structural calculations.

Environmental Factors

Environmental conditions significantly influence both material selection and installation methods. Coastal areas demand superior corrosion resistance, while high-wind zones require enhanced structural calculations and potentially larger foundation systems. Soil conditions affect whether direct burial or concrete foundation installation is most appropriate.

Weather Resistance

Successful outdoor lighting installations withstand decades of weather exposure without structural compromise. Beyond material selection, protective finishes play crucial roles in longevity. Powder coating provides superior UV protection compared to standard paint, while anodized aluminum surfaces resist oxidation naturally. Wind load ratings become critical in areas prone to severe weather, with poles engineered to handle sustained winds up to 90-150 mph depending on height and location.

Location and Terrain

Geographic factors influence both installation methods and material choices. Rocky terrain may require drilling equipment for anchor placement, while soft soils need larger concrete foundations for stability. Proximity to saltwater demands enhanced corrosion protection, and areas with freeze-thaw cycles require foundations below the frost line. We typically recommend soil analysis for projects involving multiple poles to ensure consistent installation methods.

Regulatory Compliance and Safety

Building codes and local ordinances establish minimum requirements for pole spacing, height restrictions, and structural standards. Many municipalities require engineered drawings and wind load calculations for poles over certain heights. Electrical codes govern grounding requirements and circuit protection, while transportation departments may specify particular materials or mounting configurations for roadway applications. Understanding these requirements early prevents delays and costly modifications during installation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Light Poles

Can you put a light on a utility pole?

Installing lights on utility poles requires coordination with the utility company and adherence to their mounting standards. Most utilities allow approved luminaires using their standard mounting hardware, though fixture specifications and electrical connections must meet their requirements. Weight limitations and wind load restrictions typically apply.

Which light poles are the strongest?

Steel poles provide maximum structural strength, particularly when hot-dip galvanized for corrosion protection. They handle the heaviest fixture loads and highest wind conditions better than other materials. However, “strongest” should be balanced against factors like weight, corrosion resistance, and maintenance requirements for your specific application.

Which is stronger, fiberglass or aluminum light poles?

While fiberglass offers higher tensile strength and flexibility, aluminum provides better overall structural performance for most lighting applications. Fiberglass excels in extreme wind conditions due to its ability to flex without breaking, while aluminum delivers consistent strength with superior corrosion resistance and lower maintenance requirements.

What are common project types that use light poles?

Light poles serve diverse applications, including street lighting systems, parking lot illumination, campus walkways, sports facilities, and industrial complexes. Each application demands specific height ranges, materials, and mounting configurations optimized for the intended use and environmental conditions.

Do you know what light pole your project needs now?

Armed with this comprehensive guide, you should have the knowledge needed to specify appropriate light poles for your project. Remember that successful installations balance initial costs with long-term performance and maintenance requirements. Our lighting experts at LED Lighting Supply remain available to review your specific requirements and recommend optimal solutions based on your unique project needs.

Expert Support and Custom Lighting Analysis

Our certified lighting specialists bring decades of field experience to every project, helping you navigate complex technical requirements and avoid costly specification errors. We provide complimentary energy savings calculations that demonstrate exactly how LED upgrades will reduce your operating costs over time. Our team can also create custom lighting plans tailored to your specific facility layout and illumination requirements. This comprehensive analysis ensures your pole and fixture selections work together optimally for your unique application. Having guided thousands of successful installations, we understand the critical details that separate reliable long-term performance from premature failures.