Before You Begin

This project is divided into three phases, the wiring inside the house, digging the trench to run an electrical line to the lamp post and then hooking up the lamp post to the wiring.

Hiring an electrician or electrical contractor to do the job is the best bet for this project because they have the tools, expertise and the trenching tools required.

The steps below provide an idea of what's involved in the project.

• Step 1 : Tap into the existing wiring

  The electrician will determine the best electrical source to tap into for the lamp post. It usually is an outlet or junction box closest to where the electrical cable will exit the house and run underground to the lamp post.

• Step 2 : Install the electrical conduit

  The electrician will install a metal or plastic pipe called a conduit to protect the electrical cable as it passes through the wall and into the ground.

• Step 3 : Locate the lamp post

  The electrician will dig a hole for the base of the lamp post and place a form to hold the concrete. Before filling the base with concrete a short section of conduit and elbow is secured in the form to allow the cable to pass through the base.

• Step 4 : Dig the trench

  A trench is dug by hand or with a trenching machine between the house and post. The cable is set into the trench and then the sod is rolled back into place.

• Step 5 : Wire up the conduit at the post base

  The cable is run through the post and anchored in place and then the wiring connects the lamp to the cable. The base of the lamp is designed to fit over the base with the wire running up to the lantern where it is hooked to the fixture.

• Step 6 : Connect the lamp post to the house wiring

  After the lamp post is wired the other end of the underground cable is connected to the house wiring.