07-27-2020
Okay, Well What Is Catenary Lighting and How Does It Work with a Pole?
Catenary pendants are decorative lights hung on a specially designed cable strung between two structures, such as poles. Depending on the setting and the desired amount of light, you can choose either a single, large pendant (exhibit A) or a string of multiple pendants (exhibit B).
Before We Start
There are a few details we need to know before we can begin designing your project:
• The EPA and weight per foot of the string lights and supporting cable, plus anything else mounted on the poles
• Wind zone or zip code in which the poles will be installed
• The distance between poles
To prevent your poles from leaning toward each other over time, we suggest using poles with a minimum of 7-gauge wall thickness and planning for at least a 5% sag on the string lights.
You May Be Asking…
Where can catenary pendants be used? Just about anywhere – downtown areas, parks, commercial shopping and dining areas, and school campuses.
Are they safe? Absolutely. Catenary pendants are suspended with weather-resilient cables and can withstand harsh conditions like extreme winds, heavy rainfall, and snowstorms.
How do I calculate sag? Measure the distance in feet between the poles that will be holding the string lights and multiply that number by .05. For example, if you have two 25-foot poles installed at finish grade, and they’re 50 feet apart, the sag will be 2.5 feet. With the string lights attached at the top of both poles, the lowest point of the string will result at 22.5 feet above grade.
Curious to learn more? Ready to place your order? Michael is happy to help.
Check out our other blog posts:
Prevent Damage and Maintain Appearance with the Best Pole Finish Available
Making the World a “Smarter” Place, One Streetlight at a Time
