What is base-can installation?
Setting the housing that carries a light fixture into the pavement — in the right place, level, flush, aligned and fully grouted — so the fixture bolts on correctly and stays there under traffic.
A base can is the housing set into the pavement or ground that holds the mounting flange for a light fixture and gives the cable a protected way in. Base-can installation is setting it at the surveyed position, level and at the height that leaves the fixture flush, turned to the correct orientation, connected to its duct, and fully grouted or backfilled so it cannot move.
The fixture is bolted onto the can, so the can decides where the light is and how it faces. A can that is tilted, proud, low or turned gives a misaligned or damaged light and an expensive rework once the grout has set. Check position, level, height and orientation before the grout hardens, keep a cover on the can until the fixture goes on, and record the final position on the as-builts. Any cable near the work is live until the circuit has been isolated, locked out and proved dead, and pavement work needs the site’s permit-to-work.
- Confirm the position. Take the can position and orientation from the design and survey.
- Prepare the hole. Excavate and prepare the base as the design requires.
- Set the can. Hold it on its template or jig, bring the flange level and to the design height so the fixture will finish flush, and turn it to the correct orientation.
- Connect. Align the conduit entry with the duct, seal it as designed, and connect the can’s earthing lug if the design calls for one.
- Grout or backfill. Fill all round with no voids, holding the can in position while it sets.
- Check, cover and record. Recheck level, height and orientation, fit the cover and mark the as-builts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What does the base can do, and why does its installation matter?
A base can is a housing set into the pavement or ground that holds the mounting flange for an in-pavement or similar light fixture and gives the cable a protected way in. The fixture is bolted onto it, so the can fixes where the light is and how it faces.
Q2What does base-can installation involve?
Setting the can in a prepared hole at the surveyed position, level and at the right height, turned to the correct orientation, connected to its duct or conduit, then grouted or backfilled so it cannot move, and covered until the fixture is fitted.
Q3Why do level and height matter so much?
The fixture sits on the can flange. If the can is tilted, the light beam points wrong; if it sits proud, wheels, vehicles or snow-clearing blades can strike the fixture; if it sits low, water and debris collect around it. Tolerances come from the design and the fixture specification.
Q4Why must the can be fully grouted or backfilled?
Voids let the can shift, settle or rock under wheel loads, which breaks seals, loosens the fixture and puts the cable at risk. Fill the space around the can as the design specifies and hold it in position while the material sets.
Q5Why is the base can covered after installation?
Until the fixture is fitted the open can collects grit, water and debris, which can damage the flange, connector and cable. A cover plate or plug keeps it clean and is removed only when the fixture goes on.
Q6What happens if a base can is wrong once it is grouted?
It is expensive to fix: the can may need to be cut out and reset, with the pavement broken again. Check position, level, height and orientation before the grout sets, and record the final position on the as-builts.
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