For safe movement in the dark, a lighting pole with lamps is used. These devices are located on streets, roads, squares, public transport stops, industrial sites, highways and other places.
Street lighting poles and their features
Before installing the poles, first of all, a project development is required, taking into account the following factors:
- terrain;
- required light level;
- power consumption;
- control and protection system;
- number of lighting fixtures;
- method of mounting load-bearing elements and electrical equipment;
- ability to connect to the mains.
The lighting pole must meet stringent requirements. It must meet established standards. Poles (reinforced concrete, metal, composite) and masts are used as supports.
Reinforced concretethe structure contains a reinforcement that experiences tensile loads. Concrete is in compression. Products lose in many respects to all other types, but their price is the lowest.
Metal lighting pole is made of high strength steel sheet or aluminum. It is much lighter than reinforced concrete, easy to install and has a good aesthetic appearance.
Supports are made hollow inside and have a hole in the upper part where the lamps on the bracket are inserted. Corrosion protection is provided by a zinc coating. Decorative designs can be cast in cast iron.
Composite supports are made from various polymeric materials. Their service life is not lower than that of metal ones and reaches 50 years. They have sufficient strength, and in case of an accident they are destroyed and absorb the impact force, as a result of which the level of safety on the roads increases. The disadvantages are the combustibility of the material and the high cost.
Masts are used to illuminate large areas. Their height is selected depending on the purpose of the structures. They are made in the form of a tubular, faceted shape or metal truss. If stationary lamps are installed on the mast, it is equipped with a special lift or ladder. The mobile crown can be lowered down with a winch. This makes it easier to repair.
Assignment of lighting poles
According to the purpose, outdoor lighting poles are divided into the following types.
- Street poles to illuminate pedestrian paths. Their design is universal.
- Decorative designs with a wide variety of shapes and colors. They are matched to any installation location.
- Park poles are made high enough so that they illuminate the area well and at the same time do not irritate the eyes.
- Main poles have high strength and high electrical power.
- Special supports are used for individual objects, such as squares and sports grounds.
Installation of lighting poles
Supports are straight-rack and flanged. A power cable is brought to them underground, a lighting control system is made, lighting fixtures and grounding are mounted and connected.
Methods of installing upright supports
The sequence for mounting the supports is as follows.
- A well is drilled to a depth of at least 1.2 m with a margin in width so that concrete can be poured. A trench is being dug to it for laying a power cable.
- The lighting pole is installed in the well. The metal column is additionally reinforced. To do this, reinforcement is driven into the walls of the well and welded to the support, fixing it in the center and vertically. Before concreting, the cable is first laid. In a hollow support, it is inserted inside.
- Concrete mass is poured into the well and carefully compacted with construction vibrators so that no voids remain.
- After the base has hardened, install the fixtures and connect them to the cable.
Installation of flange supports
The place for supports is selected in accordance with the rulesinstallation. Under them, a foundation pit is dug up to a depth of 100 cm, after which a mortgage element is installed in it and poured with concrete. After setting the base, the support is mounted. It is installed vertically and fastened with bolts and nuts to the embedded element. The dismantling of the flange support is also simple. It is enough to unscrew and remove the fasteners. The supports can be replaced with new ones, and the foundation block remains in place.
The structure may lean for various reasons. Most often this happens during seasonal shrinkage of the soil. Then the fastening of the flange support is loosened, the installation angle is adjusted and the bolts are tightened again. The angle of inclination is changed due to the presence of special compensation links.
The support can be attached to the flange with studs. Nuts are screwed onto each threaded stud inserted into the holes of the flange and column. Due to them, the angle of inclination of the support is regulated. Reliability of fastenings is increased by using additional washers, washers and locknuts.
High height masts are telescoping and assembled on site from individual parts. The thickness of the metal and the diameter varies in height to give them high stability. The base and foundation are made powerful. The method of fastening is used flange or with the help of other embedded elements. Maintenance is carried out using aerial platforms.
Lighting poles. Price
The most economical are concrete supports at a price of 5-7 thousand rubles. Only wooden poles (2.5-4.7 thousand rubles) can be cheaper than them, but they are rarely used anywhere.
Pricemetal supports depends on the height and the presence of protective coatings. It is in the range of 6-26 thousand rubles. Composite structures are more expensive - from 19 to 29 thousand rubles.
Conclusion
The lighting pole is a complex device with stringent requirements. If earlier people were satisfied that they were not in the dark, now they began to pay attention to the appearance, characteristics of lamps, safety, ease of installation and operation. In addition, street lighting has become multifunctional. The main purpose is traffic safety and correct orientation in the city. It is also needed to create visual comfort, so that architecture, parks and other objects are perceived in a new way with the main lighting and illumination.
