A breakaway connection for light poles
Pole-Safe is Transpo's coupling-based support system for light poles in roadside clear zones and other impact-exposed locations. Its omni-directional design is intended to release under vehicle impact from different directions while supporting normal service loads.
The 5100 is a specific model, not a general name for all Pole-Safe hardware. Start with the model on your plans, then verify the foundation connection, pole details and required components. A matching thread size alone is not enough to establish compatibility.
Transpo 5100 breakaway couplings in Texas
Based in Seguin, Texas, Byrd Traffic Supply helps lighting contractors, pole suppliers and municipalities with Transpo Pole-Safe 5100 product information, Type B foundation anchors and matching base skirts. Send your plans, quantities and project location for selection and submittal assistance. This page is a product reference, not an online checkout.
Product-family reference: Transpo Pole-Safe overview.
Required Type B female anchors
Specify the 1"-8 UNC Type B anchor. This cast-in insert receives the coupling after the concrete cures.
- Anchor length: 15 inches.
- Internal thread depth: 1-1/8 inches minimum.
- Stainless steel ferrule and top washer; steel-wire anchorage.
- Typical arrangement: four anchors and four couplings per pole.
Verify quantities against the project drawings, not a typical arrangement.
Manufacturer illustration, not to scale.
Before the concrete is poured
Send the pole base drawing and foundation detail for review. Confirm anchor type, bolt pattern, orientation and quantities with the project designer. Do not assume a generic concrete anchor, an epoxy-installed rod or an existing protruding bolt can replace the specified anchor.
Anchor reference: Transpo design book, pages 22-23. Pullout capacity depends on the foundation and concrete; anchor strength is not a foundation design rating.
Pole-Safe 5100 base skirts
Ask about adding a matching Pole-Safe skirt to your package. Its four aluminum panels surround the exposed couplings beneath the pole base plate, giving the installation a cleaner, more finished appearance.
The skirt is a separate accessory, not a replacement for the couplings or required foundation anchors. Whether it is needed on your job depends on the approved plans and agency requirements; confirm those before leaving it out.
| Bolt circle diameter | Skirt part number | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 10" to 15" | SPMKDN-2 | 5" |
| 15" to 20" | SPMKDN-2L | 5" |
Select using the bolt circle, not just the outside width of the base plate. At the shared 15-inch boundary or with unusual base details, confirm the fit with Transpo. Include the skirt as a separate line in your material inquiry.
Transpo skirt drawing and selection table, PDF pages 24-25. The drawings establish the enclosure and sizing; they do not declare it optional for every project.
5100 specifications at a glance
| Coupling body dimension | 5-1/16" (129 mm), excluding threaded shanks; see drawing |
|---|---|
| Ultimate tensile strength, minimum | 49.8 kips per coupling |
| Tensile yield strength, minimum | 43.2 kips per coupling |
| Restrained shear strength | 3.8-5.5 kips per coupling |
| Coupling / hardware galvanizing | ASTM A153 |
| Leveling-shim galvanizing | ASTM A653 |
These are component properties, not allowable project loads. Do not multiply them by the coupling count to approve a pole or foundation. Use the full manufacturer documentation and the project's engineered design.
Source: Model 5100 specification drawing, revision 1/25, page 20.
Crash-test limits and project acceptance
Transpo identifies its tested configuration as a 55-foot pole with a maximum total mass of 930 pounds, including fixtures, under NCHRP Report 350. Its non-standard-use memo says it does not certify or support installations exceeding those height or weight limits.
That test history is not a blanket approval for every project. Obtain the applicable acceptance documents and confirm current agency requirements. Do not read a general reference to MASH on a product-family website as proof that this exact model and configuration meet a particular MASH requirement.
5100 or 4100?
Check the foundation connection before choosing a model. Both numbers may appear in light-pole specifications, but they should not be treated as interchangeable parts.
| Check | Pole-Safe 5100 | Pole-Safe 4100 |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation interface | Threads into a female insert | Threads over an external anchor bolt |
| Before selecting | Confirm specified Type B anchor | Confirm anchor-bolt detail |
| For a replacement | Send the original model, plans and clear photos. Do not substitute by appearance. | |
What to confirm with your project team
New construction
- Specified coupling model and anchor detail.
- Pole quantity, height and complete installed weight.
- Base plate dimensions, thickness and hole pattern.
- Foundation drawing, concrete requirements and bolt circle.
- Required submittals, agency standards and project schedule.
Replacement or repair
- Original coupling model or package label.
- Photos of the entire base and individual connections.
- Known damage to the pole, hardware or foundation.
- Any changes to fixtures, arms or attached equipment.
- Whether anchors, hardware or a base skirt are also needed.
Installation information, not a substitute for instructions
Use the complete Model 5100 installation sheet and approved project drawings. They cover anchor placement, leveling and tightening. Have the installer review them before work begins; do not use this overview as a torque chart or field installation procedure.
Ask for a complete material review
Send the bill of materials with your inquiry so coupling quantities, anchors, mounting hardware, leveling components and any specified base cover can be checked together. The exact contents of a supplied package should be confirmed rather than assumed from a drawing.
Drawings, instructions & project review
Links below open Transpo's official documents. Model, anchor and skirt details are in the same design book; some PDF viewers may open at the beginning.
Technical references reviewed October 14, 2026. Request the latest revision for your submittal. Transpo drawings remain the property of their owner.
Common project questions
Can I add a skirt for a more finished appearance?
Yes. Ask us to include the matching skirt in your inquiry. See the 5100 skirt sizes above, and check whether your project specifications require a base cover.
Do I need to request the anchors separately?
Yes. Include the anchors in your inquiry, even when your plans already call out the coupling. The required anchor information is listed in the anchor section above; ask us to review the complete package.
Can you identify an existing installation from photos?
Photos are a useful starting point. Include a full-base view, close-ups of each connection, any markings and the original drawings when available. Identification and compatibility should be confirmed before ordering replacements.
Will this work with my existing concrete foundation?
Do not assume so. Send the original foundation and anchor details for review. A sound-looking foundation does not establish anchor compatibility, capacity or suitability for a different support system.
What if the pole has extra equipment attached?
Include every fixture, arm and accessory in the project information. Send the complete height, weight and loading details for review; do not select a coupling from the bare-pole information alone.
Can I get documents for a public project?
Use the manufacturer links above as a starting point. Send your specification and submittal requirements to Byrd Traffic Supply so the required model, document revisions and approval information can be identified.
Is pricing or availability shown on this page?
No. This is an informational product page. Contact Byrd Traffic Supply with the project location, quantities and required date for current availability and assistance.