Breakaway connectors are fused or unfused connectors in the bases of light poles. Fuses are required in the "line" conductor (hot wire) of all light poles for circuit protection. This is accomplished by using special pull-apart fuse holders (breakaway connectors). If the light circuit uses a neutral conductor, the neutral part of the breakaway connector should be unfused.

TxDOT uses double-pole breakaway connectors that are designed to separate both power conductors at once. In addition to being a breakaway device, they also work well as a way to disconnect the luminaire from the rest of the circuit. For this reason, double-pole breakaway connectors are required in both breakaway and non-breakaway poles, to serve as a breakaway device and as a way to disconnect the luminaire.

When installing a breakaway connector, attach the female connector to the energized end of the wire. Leave the male connector with the wires traveling up the pole. This reduces the possibility of someone coming into contact with the energized circuit if the pole is knocked down.