The usual arrangement these days is for each column to have a permanent supply and then have an inexpensive photocell on the top of the light fitting itself (like the top half of one of these - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLPEC1000.html they typically have a twist lock plug and socket arrangement). Simple timers aren't of much use as dawn and dusk vary by many hours across the year, When I were a lad there were time switches with in-built sun currection which varied the on/off times with the time of year, but they were rather complicated mechanical devices and must have cost a fortune, for simple dawn-to-dusk the photocell provies a much more satisfactory.

Some more recent ones are more complicated and come on at dusk, but then go off again at midnight ot 1am and then on again a something like 4am if it isn't already dawn. I'm not sure if they add a simple timer or have something more complex like a radio signal from a central control room. But that sort of thing probably isn't worth while for a short private road.

Metering wise it's entirely normal to connect street lights direct to the mains without a meter - the electricity is then paid for by licence depending on the power consumtion (the number of hours a year it will be on being pretty much a known constant).

   - Andy.

Many street lights are now controlled by a radio link, such as the one linked below.

Older ones have either a single photocell operating all of them, or, each of them have a photocell in the fitting. It isnt always obvious that a photocell is fitted, some are tiny, and not visible from the ground.

The bonus of the radio link is that thet can be programmed to come on/off whenever the Owners want, or, they can come on with the integral photocell, and be turned off via radio link, and back on in the early morning.

It costs though, so a small street could be financially better off by fitting timers. Newer ones have an internal battery, so do not lose their time when the power is cut, and automatically adjust for daylight saving time adjustments.

www.sundrax.com/.../

A simple photocell on the top of the lighting head is cheap and reliable. It also automatically adjusts for shortening days. Some need a permanent supply to the photocell on the head. Years ago councils had the cell at the top of the column on the head and a control relay at the base by the street light cut out. This enabled testing of the lamp by means of a switch. The units were marked MAN and AUTO. The picture is of a wall mounted photocell, but illustrates the general design of the cell unit. The socket is a NEMA type. The removable cell unit unlatches by a slight twist. There is a time delay to prevent flashing on and off if clouds cause cover or the cell is illuminated by car headlights etc.

Hers is a picture of a typical traditional photocell on a street light head......

This is the type of photocell that has the testing control unit that is situated at the base of the column. The unit plugs into a base for ease of replacement. They used to be of  the type with a thermal bi-metallic strip, but if still available I imagine are now electronic in operation. The older units' photocell varied the current in the base unit circuit and warmed or cooled the bi-metallic strip to switch on or off. The process incorporated a natural  automatic delay action to prevent nuisance flashing on or off of the lamp.

Is it feasible to control the private portion of street lighting by WiFi/Tinternet iCloud means? 

Have looked into this a bit further - thank you for all who have responded. I do think there is a photocell on the lamp head - photo is not entirely clear though. It seems that Lincolnshire county council might charge £300 per lamp (2019 prices) to convert them to be controlled by radio signal, and that is assuming they might also take on responsibility for the lights in future, which is not guaranteed. I am now considering if I can squeeze in a Sangamo 72101 timer in an enclosure at the base, though space is tight!

Will the Sangamo timer be happy in a lamp post column? It may need a drip proof enclosure. What happens after a power cut? Will it retain its settings and time?

Z.

Good morning,

First time poster here but as this is in my wheelhouse I'll stop lurking and offer my opinion.

There are a number of ways to control lanterns such as this one and I can see by the replies that CMS control, timers and photocells have already been covered. It is likely that given the description of the switching regime 'part night' photocells are being used here for the public highway lanterns and standard photocells are being used for the private road. As already covered, part night photocells differ somewhat from the standard photocells (on/off) as they turn off for a proportion of the night to save energy.

With regards to introducing a Sangamo timer in the base of the column I can confirm that this is very common, but perhaps more labour intensive in the long run due to varying ambient temperatures affecting a potentially sensitive timer PCB. Most electronic timers have a battery back up so power cuts won't necessarily be an issue. Historically, manual operating din rail mounted time clocks were used in column isolators (such as the Hager EH010), but these have been phased out over the years and replaced with digital products.

Many street lighting manufacturers will offer you a design and price for a small prewired isolator with 2P switch, fuse, timer and/or contactor to replace the light grey (Charles Endirect) enclosure at the top of your column base in the photo. As it is, the enclosure currently there is only equipped to house 2 standard din rail devices, therefore a new 3 or 4 module enclosure will be required for connection into the DNO cut out. 

nElectric said:

I do think there is a photocell on the lamp head - photo is not entirely clear though.

It doesn't look like there is a photocell attached to these lanterns but it's difficult to confirm.

One other solution (which might be a long shot) is that the lanterns are fitted with a pre-programmed ballast with factory set on/off times. This would explain the lack of control device in the column base or on the lantern. I used to program quite a few ballasts like this around 8 years ago so there are certainly a few out in the wild!

Either way, best way to confirm is a full inspection of the lantern.

I would keep it simple and use standard photocells as are very widely used for this sort of thing. Fit either an "all night" or a "part night" photocell as best meets customer needs.

Avoid any complications such as timers or remote control. A failed photocell is easily replaced. 

But also think twice before altering anything, these streetlights are probably unmetered and might be maintained by either the DNO or by the local authority, either of whom will not like any third party working on them.