When you put in light poles (especially for outdoor or commercial projects), one critical thing to know is how deep the poles need to go in the ground. This allows the poles to last longer and stay safe. Whether you’re doing a big electrical project or just sourcing things to sell, knowing the correct depth makes sure you meet safety codes and don’t end up with poles tilting or falling later on.
In general, you can bury light poles at a depth of 10% of their total height plus two feet to have them hold tight. For example, if you have a 30-foot pole, you bury it about five feet deep – three feet for 10% of the pole’s height and two feet for a little extra support.
If you follow this rule, your poles are going to stay standing during storms and over the long term in different soil conditions.
Here’s what you need to know about how this rule applies to different pole heights and environments.
How Deep Does a Light Pole Need to Be Buried?
The hole depth for a light pole varies based on the pole’s height. For poles between 8 and 18 feet, the hole depth is about 3 feet. Poles between 18 and 25 feet require a hole depth of 4 feet. When you get up to 40 feet, you need a 5-foot hole. Once you get to 50-foot poles, bury them at least 6 feet deep.
How Deep Are Light Poles in the Ground?
Light poles are typically buried somewhere between three and five feet in the ground. The depth depends on a number of factors. For instance, the height of the pole matters. The type of soil is important. The environment where the pole’s being used is also a factor. For example, if you live in a windy area or the soil’s not very stable, you might need to bury the poles deeper to keep them standing over time.
How Deep Are Utility Poles in the Ground?
A standard-height utility pole is about 35 feet tall and it goes about 6 feet in the ground. This gives the pole enough support to carry electrical lines, telephone lines, and other heavy equipment.
How Deep to Bury a Light Post?
For smaller light poles, like the ones you see in residential areas or for street lighting, most people would tell you to go down about 18 to 24 inches in the ground.
When you put these poles in, add about six inches of gravel at the bottom of the hole to help with drainage and to give the pole a little bit more security.
Conclusion
The rule of thumb for burying poles is that you go down 10% of the pole’s overall height, plus an additional two feet to make it hold tight. This information is invaluable for both large electrical projects and if you buy poles for your distributorship.
Keep in mind the type of soil and environment you’re working in to make poles stay solid over time.
