LED lighting technology is the superior lighting solution for outdoor lighting. It vastly outperforms traditional HID lighting in every metric. This includes lifespan, efficiency, light quality, durability, and energy savings.
Because of this, many organizations are replacing or retrofitting old outdoor lighting systems with LED. For systems that utilize light pole infrastructure, there is an additional consideration when replacing them: Should the light poles be replaced, or can they be retrofitted with new LED fixtures?
Many organizations assume their existing poles can remain in service after converting to LED lighting only to discover structural, mounting, or electrical limitations during installation.
Structural condition, pole age, mounting compatibility, electrical infrastructure, and foundation integrity should all be evaluated before selecting new fixtures.
This article will help contractors, facility managers, property owners, and municipalities determine whether existing poles can remain in service or if replacement is the better long-term investment.
Why Existing Light Poles Should Be Evaluated Before an LED Upgrade
An LED upgrade involves more than replacing fixtures. There are additional things to consider:
- Existing poles may have decades of wear. This includes corrosion, impact damage, signs of stress at the base of the pole, or diminished mounting hardware. The structural capacity of the pole should be confirmed before installation.
- Existing mounting systems may not match modern LED fixtures. Even if the poles are structurally sound for continued use, any mounting brackets in use may not align with replacement fixtures.
- Electrical components may require upgrades.
Early planning prevents costly surprises. Identifying any light pole deficiencies before construction begins can save you from future, costly project delays. This will reduce unexpected change orders and improve project budgeting and scheduling.
Can Your Existing Light Pole Support an LED Fixture?
Here’s what you’ll need to do to see if your existing light poles can support an LED upgrade:
Evaluate the structural condition of the pole.
- Is there visible corrosion or rust?
- Are there cracks or damage near the base?
- Is the shaft bent or damaged?
- Have there been previous repairs or modifications?
Review the pole’s age and remaining service life.
Different pole materials will determine a pole’s average lifespan.
- Steel = 10-20 years
- Aluminum = 50+ years
- Fiberglass = 30-40 years
Consider future maintenance costs.
This will depend on the pole’s application and surrounding environment. Harsher environments require additional maintenance.
Compare retrofit costs versus replacement value. If there is ample service time remaining on the pole, replacement is not necessary.
Verify EPA and fixture compatibility.
Confirm the pole can safely support the new fixture by evaluating wind load requirements. You can do this by consulting the EPA table on the pole’s specification sheet provided by the manufacturer. Factor in any additional components added to the pole, if applicable.
Inspect the Foundation Before Moving Forward
If the pole is an anchor base installation, it will be anchored to a concrete pier. You’ll want to inspect it to determine if it can be reused.
Inspect concrete for cracking or deterioration. Typical issues with concrete foundations include cracks, spalling (fragmentation), and leaning.
Verify anchor bolt condition. Are they properly securing the base to the foundation? Is there any sign of corrosion?
Foundations should be replaced if:
- There appears to be structural damage.
- There is corrosion affecting anchor systems.
- There are site modifications that require new layouts.
Evaluate Mounting Hardware and Electrical Components
Is the existing mounting hardware in good condition and compatible with the new light fixture or additional components? If not, arms, tenons, or brackets will need to be replaced or adapted.
- Review the pole’s electrical infrastructure.
- Is the wiring in good condition?
- Evaluate grounding components.
- Is the handhole accessible?
- If there is a photocell in use, is it compatible with the new light fixture?
When Replacing the Pole Makes More Sense
Structural damage is present.
This includes:
- Corrosion
- Impact damage
- Fatigue
- Unsafe conditions
The pole no longer meets project requirements.
This includes:
- Additional fixture loads
- New lighting layouts
- Different mounting heights
- Expanded coverage requirements
Replacement can reduce long-term costs.
Long-term costs are reduced by replacement in the following ways:
- Lower maintenance requirements
- Longer service life
- Improved appearance
- Better compatibility with modern LED fixtures
The benefits of installing new LED light pole kits.
LED light pole kits offer guaranteed component compatibility.
- The pole, fixture, mounting hardware, and accessories are designed to work together and eliminate mismatches.
- They simplify product selection and reduce installation issues.
Project efficiency is greatly improved compared to separately sourcing components because:
- There are fewer compatibility concerns
- Installation is faster. All components arrive at the jobsite at once.
- Procurement is simplified. There is a single product SKU, not multiple product SKUs.
Retrofit or Replace: How to Make the Right Decision
Retrofit when:
- The pole remains structurally sound.
- The foundation is in good condition.
- The existing layout still meets lighting requirements.
- Fixture mounting compatibility exists.
Replace when:
- The pole condition is questionable.
- The foundation requires repair.
- The lighting layout changes.
- The long-term maintenance costs outweigh retrofit savings.
How LightMart Supports LED Lighting Upgrades
LightMart has retrofit components for existing installations. These include:
- Mounting accessories
- Anchor hardware
- Replacement components
- LED light fixtures
We also offer complete LED light pole kits, which are pre-engineered lighting solutions.
- Parking lot light pole kits
- Decorative light pole kits
- Architectural light pole kits
- Sports Lighting Systems
Just want to replace your existing poles? Our light pole selection is second to none, including Quick-Ship Light Poles that are in stock and ready to ship.
LightMart also provides expert guidance for upgrade projects. We can assist you with evaluating existing infrastructure and provide product recommendations.
Contact us today!
FAQs
Can existing light poles support LED fixtures?
They might. It will depend on the following:
- The pole remains structurally sound.
- The foundation is in good condition.
- The existing layout still meets lighting requirements.
- Fixture mounting compatibility exists.
How do I know if my light pole should be replaced?
A light pole should be replaced if:
- The pole condition is questionable.
- The foundation requires repair.
- The lighting layout changes.
- The long-term maintenance costs outweigh retrofit savings.
Can I reuse an existing light pole foundation?
Yes, if the following conditions are met:
- There is no structural damage.
- There is no corrosion affecting anchor systems.
- There are no site modifications that require new layouts.
What should I inspect before upgrading to LED lighting?
Inspect the light pole for the following:
- The concrete foundation and associated anchor system (anchor base installations)
- The fixture and component mounting hardware
- The electrical infrastructure, which includes wiring, grounding components, handhole, and photocell
Are LED fixtures lighter than traditional HID fixtures?
Yes. LED lighting fixtures are generally lighter than traditional HID fixtures because they use solid-state semiconductor technology instead of bulky gas-filled lamps and complex ballast systems.
When is it more cost-effective to replace a light pole?
It is more cost-effective to replace a light pole when any of the following are true:
- The pole condition is questionable.
- The foundation requires repair.
- The lighting layout changes.
- The long-term maintenance costs outweigh retrofit savings.
What are the benefits of a complete LED light pole kit?
LED light pole kits provide the following benefits:
- The pole, fixture, mounting hardware, and accessories are designed to work together and eliminate mismatches.
- They simplify product selection and reduce installation issues.
- Installation is faster. All components arrive at the jobsite at once.
- Procurement is simplified. There is a single product SKU, not multiple product SKUs.
David DeWald is the E-Commerce Marketing Specialist at LightMart. He has been working in the industrial and commercial lighting industry since 2013 and is based in the greater Chicago area. David specializes in digital product management, web content writing, and product marketing. He regularly publishes lighting industry-related articles on the LightMart blog. You can visit his LinkedIn profile here.