Home / Products / Street lighting columns / Lighting Column Dimensions and Tolerances under EN 40-2: Heights, Brackets, Hatches, Flanges
Street lighting columns
Lighting Column Dimensions and Tolerances under EN 40-2: Heights, Brackets, Hatches, Flanges
EN 40-2 is the European standard for the general requirements and dimensions of lighting columns. It explains what the height is measured from, which bracket projections exist, what the access door must be like and what tolerance applies to the straightness of the shaft. We go through the essentials and show what to state in an order.
Contents
What the standard covers
EN 40-2 belongs to the EN 40 series on lighting columns. It covers column shafts up to 20 m high, shafts for top-entry luminaires, columns with brackets for side-entry luminaires up to 18 m high, and also brackets, cable compartments and ducts and earthing terminals.
The standard does not restrict the appearance or shape of columns: most are stepped cylindrical, round, octagonal or multi-sided sections. The material may differ as well: steel, aluminium, concrete, and also timber, plastic or cast iron. Performance (resistance to wind and behaviour in a vehicle impact) is set in this standard in general terms, while requirements for steel columns specifically are given in another part of the series, EN 40-5.
Below is a short summary of the main provisions. It is reference material, not a statement that our products comply with the standard. The requirements for our lighting columns are in the article Technical requirements for street lighting poles. For the full tables and drawings, see the published standard.
Height, bracket projection and luminaire angle
The nominal height h is the distance from the reference ground level to the luminaire fixing point. For columns without a bracket the standard gives a series from 3 to 20 m, and for columns with a bracket from 5 to 18 m.
The bracket projection w is the horizontal distance from the column axis to the luminaire fixing point. The series runs from 0.3 to 4.5 m; it is recommended that the projection does not exceed a quarter of the height (w ≤ h/4). The luminaire fixing angle is taken from a short series from 3° to 15°.
| Parameter | What EN 40-2 gives |
|---|---|
| Nominal height h, without bracket | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20 m |
| Nominal height h, with bracket | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18 m |
| Bracket projection w | 0.3 to 4.5 m (12 values); recommendation w ≤ h/4 |
| Luminaire fixing angle | a series from 3° to 15° |
A selection from tables 1–4 of the standard; the wording is our own.
Access door and cable entry
The door is placed parallel to the bracket on the side opposite to the direction of traffic. Its lower edge must be at least 300 mm above ground, and about 600 mm is recommended. The door is flush with the surface, without sharp edges; in metal columns the corner radius of the door is at least 20 mm or half of its width.
The standard gives a series of typical door sizes, from compact (132 × 38 mm) to large (600 × 130 mm); the 680 and 900 mm sizes are for concrete columns only. The cable entry opening in the lower part of the shaft is 50, 60 or 75 mm wide and 150 mm high.
Degree of protection (IP code) of the parts above ground: IP 3X for all doors and parts up to 2.5 m above ground, IP 2X above 2.5 m. Each type and size of door undergoes a type impact test to class IK08: three blows to the spot, after which the lock must still work, the degree of protection must be kept and no cracks may appear.
Cable compartment, ducts and earthing
The opening of the cable compartment has the same level of corrosion protection as the column and is closed by a lock against unauthorised access. Fixing means for the equipment are provided: a metal tray is protected like the compartment opening, and a mounting panel must be made of water-resistant material.
Cable ducts from the compartment to the luminaire connection point have a diameter of at least 18 mm, and ducts from the cable entry to the compartment at least 50 mm. The duct surface is smooth, without sharp edges that could wear the cable insulation.
The earthing terminal is corrosion-resistant, has a sufficient contact area, is clearly visible and easy to reach; the bolt of the fixed part is at least M8. All metal contact parts of the column (except doors) must be reliably connected to the terminal, and the terminal itself is clearly and durably marked. More on earthing in the article Pole earthing requirements.
Embedment, base plate and flange
For columns set in the ground, the embedment depth e is chosen from a table depending on the height: three options are given for each height. For example, for an 8 m column these are 1.0, 1.2 or 1.5 m; for 10 m: 1.2, 1.5 or 1.7 m; for 20 m: 1.8, 2.0 or 2.5 m. The choice depends on the soil and on the results of calculation or testing. For columns on a foundation the depth must be smaller and is verified by calculation or testing.
If a base plate is required, it is square, 300 × 300 or 400 × 400 mm, at least 4 mm thick.
The design of the base flange and bolts is verified by calculation or testing. For a square flange with four holes the bolt spacing is the same in both directions and is taken from a series from 200 to 550 mm (200, 215, 250, 285, 300, 325, 400, 450, 500, 550). Holes may be round or slotted; the distance from the hole edge to the flange edge is not less than the hole diameter d, and the angular tolerance for slotted holes is ±5°. Washers under the nuts are to EN ISO 7093 or justified alternatives. More on embedded parts in the article Anchor cages and embedded parts.
Luminaire mountings
Top-entry luminaires are fitted on a spigot 60 to 108 mm in diameter and 70, 130 or 250 mm long; side-entry ones on a spigot 42, 60 or 62 mm in diameter and 100, 250 or 400 mm long. Bolted or clamped connections are permitted as well. The end user checks that the luminaire suits the spigot of the column or bracket.
Tolerances
The standard sets tolerances for the column in the unloaded state. The main ones are below.
| Parameter | Tolerance |
|---|---|
| Straightness of the shaft | deviation not more than 0.003 of length l = h + e; for any section 1 m or longer — 0.003 of the section length |
| Shaft length, height up to 10 m | ± 25 mm |
| Shaft length, height above 10 m | ± 0.6 % |
| Length of a column with bracket | ± 1 % (up to 10 m), ± 1.2 % (above 10 m) |
| Bracket projection | ± 2 % |
| Angle of the luminaire fixing axis | ± 2° |
| Door and cable entry dimensions | + 10 mm / − 0 mm |
| Section of a metal column | roundness ± 1 %; circle form ± 3 % of the diameter; polygon form ± 4 % of the side |
| Length of the luminaire spigot | ± 2 mm |
| Twist of the column | up to 5° from the specified position in plan |
| Squareness of the flange | angle between the column axis and the axis perpendicular to the flange not more than 1° |
A selective summary of clause 5 of the standard.
Passive safety
An annex to the standard concerns the behaviour of the column in a vehicle impact. Where such performance is needed, it must meet one of the classes of the European standard EN 12767. If it need not be declared, the column is considered to meet class 0.
What to state in an order for a lighting column
- the height h and, if a bracket is needed, the projection w and the luminaire angle;
- the installation method: in the ground or on a foundation through a flange; for a flange, the bolt spacing and hole diameter;
- the position and size of the access door, the need for a cable entry opening and a cable compartment, and the place of the earthing terminal;
- the spigot diameter for the luminaire (top or side entry);
- the material and coating, for example hot-dip galvanising;
- passive safety requirements if the column stands close to the carriageway.
The parameters of specific columns are given on the page Lighting poles and in the series catalogue.
Updated:
Reviewed by: V.V. Padalka, Chief Project Engineer
EN 40-2: frequently asked questions
What is EN 40-2?
It is a part of the European EN 40 series on lighting columns. It brings together general requirements and dimensions: nominal heights, bracket projections, doors, flanges, embedment depth, luminaire mountings and tolerances. Requirements for steel columns specifically are in part EN 40-5.
What height of columns does the standard cover?
Column shafts up to 20 m high and columns with brackets for side-entry luminaires up to 18 m high.
How high above ground must the access door be?
The lower edge of the door is at least 300 mm above ground; about 600 mm is recommended. The door is placed parallel to the bracket on the side opposite to the traffic.
What degree of protection must the door have?
IP 3X for all doors and parts of the column up to 2.5 m above ground, IP 2X above 2.5 m. Doors are checked by a type impact test to class IK08.
What is the straightness tolerance of the column?
The deviation must not exceed 0.003 of the column length (height plus embedment depth); the same ratio applies to any section 1 m or longer.
Do POLYGONAL columns comply with this standard?
This article is a reference summary of the European standard, not a statement of conformity of our products: the parameters of a specific column are given in the catalogue and agreed when ordering.
Related products: Street lighting columns
More on this topic: Street Lighting Norms: Categories A, B, C under DBN V.2.5-28:2018 · Flanged or Direct-buried Lighting Poles: Which to Choose · Steel or Concrete Lighting Poles: Comparison · Lighting Pole Marking: PMO, UMO, DMO, OGK, NFG — Finding an Equivalent · Lighting Pole Height and Mass 3–12 m: Table by Range · Lighting Pole Selection Calculator: Height, Series, Spacing and Number of Poles
Get a quote for your requirements
Send us your requirements — we will calculate the price and lead time.