Street Light Fixtures Mount Types and Wiring up LED Street Lighting Reviewed

Choosing the Right Street Light Fixtures. Mount Types and Wiring Reviewed

The light quality produced in streets lighting depends on theused. Use better LEDs and get better light, no question about it. The first steps, however, are; how much light?, how will I mount it? and how does it wire up?

LED Light companies have invented lots of mounting brackets for shoebox light fixtures. Examples of light fixture mounts types used include direct mount, slip fit, flood mount, yoke mount among others. These light fixtures must be among your priorities while thinking about improving your street illumination. The light fixture mounts may also determine the angel beam and area illumination of the street or preference area. Most of these fixture mounts are made with joints to increase flexibility and target the light where you wan tit. You must understand the desired distribution type for your street or pathway. Also, you must understand the width of the road under illumination in case you desire better outcomes while using thesemounts.

Mount Options

i. Direct mount or arm mount

Arm mounts can also be called direct horizontal straight mounts used inon round or square poles. They are commonly used on an already fixed pole. Horizontal straight arm mounts can easily be used since they can be fixed directly square poles without an adapter. However, round poles may require an adapter to attach the light fixtures. Direct mounts have an estimated diameter of approximately 3.2 inches wide and can be used to install more than one light fixture on a single pole.

Most straight arm fixtures are light and can hold light fixtures of up to 110 Ibs. Arm mounts are robust and stress-resistant to withstand harsh environmental conditions, for example, extreme cold and heat. Arm mounts can cover a switch-box size junction box for the lighting fixture increasing its versatility. Direct mounts are normally fixed with 2-5 screws to ensure increased firmness of the LED light fixture to the pole. Other horizontal arm mounts can be fixed using bolts that enhance gripping onto the pole. However, bolts require additional nuts to firmly fix the mount and LED fixtures to the pole.

ii. Slip fit mount

Slip fit mounts are round and can only be used on round poles or round arms from square poles. Theup and down or left to right providing numerous options for the angle of illumination. The slip fit bracket is made with a range of diameters usually 2-8 inches. Therefore, you can fix it on poles with a diameter in that range and tighten down using screws. It is essential to understand the pole diameter before purchasing the light mount to ensure compatibility.

The mounts can have multiple joints enabling you to alternate the connectedor street light. The outcome is an alteration of street illumination areas. Slip fits can be used on square poles if they are combined with wall brackets increasing their efficacy. They also allow the installation of the internal junction boxes protecting the electrical connections around the light fixture. Slip fit mounts allow completeness of connections beyond the external surfaces thereby protecting them from extremely harsh conditions, for example, thunderstorms.

iii. Yoke mount

Yoke mounts, also called Trunnion mounts, are normally fixed on walls and ceilings. However, they can also be fixed in square poles and bull horns. One side of the mount is attached to the wall while the other holds the LED light fixture. They support different shoebox lights and are adjustable to allow different angles of illumination. Yoke mounts can be used for sign, accent, and spotlighting. However, these mounts require the fixation of an external junction box for the light fixture because of their make. Yoke mounts have a provision of using an adapter in case they do not perfectly fit on the pole or the wall. They permit the installation of more than one light fixture on a pole or wall. These adapters can be in a square or circular form. The round adapters are normally 3 by 4-inch dimensions while square adapters are 4 by 5 inches.

Adapters are also made from various metal elements, for example, bronze, silver, gold among others giving you a priority. They also come in different colors like black, grey, white, and shiny. Sometimes, adapters and poles may be incompatible because of size indifferences. The advantage of these mounts is the presence of slip fitters. Slip fitters come in ranges of 2 to 3 inches in diameter and are used on poles having more than 2-inch diameter. The slip fitter is manufactured with circular rotating abilities to enable adjustment of LED lights attached. Furthermore, slip fitters can be used in combination with adapter brackets enhancing arm mounts' efficacy.  These not only enhance your illumination capacity but also improve the overall area appearance.

iv. Flood mount

can have wall, square, or round pole installation options. These are fixed by screws to the attachment surface and the LED light Fixture is attached on the other end. Unlike the Yoke mount, the flood mount is attached at a fixed angle and does not permit angle adjustment. However, it does not require a junction box and is aesthetically pleasing thus improving your illumination experience. The flood mount has a robust construction with easy installation increasing its suitability for use. It provides an option for the provision of a switch box-sized junction box that can control the degree of illumination to the area in focus.

However, there is no angle adjustment offered to the mount offering a limitation to the illumination area. Flood mounts are suitable for LED lighting applications on roads, pathways, and parking lots. These flood mounts support LED fixture cables of up to 6 feet from the junction box. Your electrician is responsible for identifying a suitable and secure place for fixing the junction box in the house. Also, they are responsible for identifying safe places along the streets for the fixation of these junction boxes. You must endeavor to verify the shape and size of the flood mounts before purchase to prevent frustrations of the pole to mount incompatibility.are one of the best mounts to consider for your street lighting.

Wiring Up LED Street Lights

i. Street lights are typically inside the fixture. Parking lot lights are typically outside and connectors left in pole

Street lights are typically inside the fixture that is connected to the power source through complete wiring. Interconnection of the lighting system is required consistent lighting control, or plainly put; they have to be in the same outlet to be controlled together. Parking lot lights are typically wired outside and connectors are left inside the pole.  Neither is better, just more of what is typically found out there.   Effective wiring helps to link the connectors with the light fixtures and power sources. These are altered at a breaker to suit the electrical energy and the environmental condition prevailing. Wiring systems are essential for interconnecting different lights to the same grid. 

Also note that lights may be controlled by

ii. Either can go either way

Electrical wiring in the mount fixtures can go either way from the power source to the LED light fixture. Wiring is fundamental in completing circuits for the LED light fixtures on different mounts. The completeness of this wiring is essential to prevent short circuits and preserve the light fixtures. The wiring system is fundamental for connecting LED drivers to the light fixtures. These LEDs have a printed wiring board made of aluminum because of the high transfer properties. Therefore, there is a rapid response from light commands to light fixtures. Furthermore, wiring is necessary for transferring communication commands from and to the junction box to alter lighting quality.

iii.  Don't forget Solar Street Lights

There are solar street lights also calledavailable. These are ideal in odd places where you need a little extra light. We dont recommend to stop using power, the cost of batteries still makes solar more expensive but that bridge is being narrowed quickly as batteries get cheaper and regular power bills get more expensive.

References

https://www.ledlightexpert.com/LED-Parking-Lot-Lights-with-Slip-Fitter-Mount_c_47.html

https://www.creelighting.com/products/outdoor/accessories-outdoor/

https://www.any-lamp.com/blog/direct-and-indirect-lighting1