Installation of Outdoor Light

Discuss Installation of Outdoor Light in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

Share this page

T

Thesis

DIY
Reaction score
0
Hey guys,

looking for a bit of advise on the installation of an outside light.

I plan on chasing out the plasterboard and running a cable from a spare light switch in the kitchen through to the exterior (approx. 4.5m away).

The light I have seen is: LAP Weyburn Outdoor LED Floodlight Black 50W 5000lm - Screwfix - https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/lap-weyburn-outdoor-led-floodlight-black-50w-5000lm/671pg

I currently have some 2.5mm grey twin and earth. The light itself is .75mm cable. Do I need to get some 1.5mm or .75 cable instead? It looks like all the existing circuits are 1.5mm. The circut is protected on a 6a mcb.

Secondly, what is the best way to connect, can i use Wago connectors / terminal block and push in to the cavity, or is it best to use an interior junction box in the wall and connect the flex from the light internally?

thanks,
 
Does the light switch have a neutral present.
No you can't shove unenclosed connectors into a wall cavity.
Does the circuit have 30ma RCD protection.
 
westward10 said:
Does the light switch have a neutral present.
No you can't shove unenclosed connectors into a wall cavity.
Does the circuit have 30ma RCD protection.
Click to expand...
Hey, yes it has neutrals present both from the live input and the other lights coming from it. it does have RCD protection of 6a at the consumer unit.
 
Thesis said:
it does have RCD protection of 6a at the consumer unit.
Click to expand...

For the sake of clarity could you post a picture of this?

If its rated at 6A then its and MCB not an RCD. But it may be an RCBO which is a device that combines an MCB and an RCD in the same unit.

It is very important to ensure that the circuit has the correct 30mA RCD protection as this is a requirement of the wirkng regulations and provides you with protection against electric shocks.
 
davesparks said:
For the sake of clarity could you post a picture of this?

If its rated at 6A then its and MCB not an RCD. But it may be an RCBO which is a device that combines an MCB and an RCD in the same unit.

It is very important to ensure that the circuit has the correct 30mA RCD protection as this is a requirement of the wirkng regulations and provides you with protection against electric shocks.
Click to expand...

Please see attached consumer unit. Ground floor lighting is protected.

thanks :)
 

Attachments

  • Consumer.jpg
    45.6 KB · Views: 52
Post a pic of the wires at the switch? They may not necessarily be neutral, they could be live I.e a switched live that has not been sleeved in the correct colour. Make sure you switch the circuit off before removing the switch cover though in case any connections are loose.
 
FatAlan said:
Post a pic of the wires at the switch? They may not necessarily be neutral, they could be live I.e a switched live that has not been sleeved in the correct colour. Make sure you switch the circuit off before removing the switch cover though in case any connections are loose.
Click to expand...
Hi,

the wires arent switched neutrals. I purely need advice on cable size and connecting the 0.75 to internal wire.

thanks,
 
1.0 or 1.5 T&E from switch to light.
Outside waterproof jointbox onto the flex

Safe zones. You can go straight up from the switch, but it is very likely you will find the cables feeding this switch buried in the wall
 
Thesis said:
Hey guys,

looking for a bit of advise on the installation of an outside light.

I plan on chasing out the plasterboard and running a cable from a spare light switch in the kitchen through to the exterior (approx. 4.5m away).

The light I have seen is: LAP Weyburn Outdoor LED Floodlight Black 50W 5000lm - Screwfix - https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/lap-weyburn-outdoor-led-floodlight-black-50w-5000lm/671pg

I currently have some 2.5mm grey twin and earth. The light itself is .75mm cable. Do I need to get some 1.5mm or .75 cable instead? It looks like all the existing circuits are 1.5mm. The circut is protected on a 6a mcb.

Secondly, what is the best way to connect, can i use Wago connectors / terminal block and push in to the cavity, or is it best to use an interior junction box in the wall and connect the flex from the light internally?

thanks,
Click to expand...
 
Firstly, you would NEED a neutral at the switch (not just a blue or black wire, which is likely a switched live).
Second: You need to run the concealed wire under the plasterboard in a "prescribed zone" (e.g. vertically or horizontally) AND it will need 30mA RCD-protection.
Third: 2.5mm is TOO BIG! (It may not fit in either the light or the switch box). 0.75mm (flex) isn't recognised by BS7671 (and flex wire is frowned upon for fixed installation), BUT 1.0mm Twin and Earth is fine - unless exposed to sunlight, in which case it is NOT OK! A different wire, or conduit, will be needed (although painting the wire, arguably, could provide the required UV protection!)
Fourth: You should ensure the Earth wire is fully functioning (even though the new light may not require it).
Wago connectors, or similar, OR choc blocks are fine for extending the Neutral and Earth (the Live will come from the switch).

Unless all of the above can be assured, I would advise you employ an electrician.
 
BS7671 2022
Table 52.3: Lighting and Power circuits: min 1.0mm

521.9.1: A flexible cable shall be used for wiring only when the relevent provisions of BS7671 are met (i.e. see above).
Flexible cables used for fixed wiring shall be of the heavy duty type unless .....

So minimum 1.0mm heavy duty, or protected against mechanical damage.
(Perhaps not "frowned upon" but used conditionally! Easier to advise a non-electrician that it isn't the perfect choice)
 

Reply to Installation of Outdoor Light in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

Share this page

Similar Threads

A
Fitting wall lights with side cable access
Hi all, I am planning to install wall lights such as these ones (LAP Bronx Outdoor Up & Down Wall Light Black - Screwfix -...
Replies
5
Views
625
adaien
A
E
Outdoor and indoor lighting on same circuit
Hi The ground floor of my house has two lighting circuits which are each protected by an MCB. One of those circuits is just indoor lights. The...
Replies
15
Views
4K
PeakSteve
PeakSteve
M
Strange wiring for outdoor lights
Hi I've been planning to fit an outdoor junction box at the front of my house to hide a large brickwork hole and properly house the wiring...
Replies
9
Views
827
Migueloplumbelo
M
H
Bizarre problem with PIR floodlight: how to diagnose
I have a baffling problem with a newly-installed PIR floodlight and I'd like advice from the forum as to whether it's defective (and should be...
Replies
5
Views
482
HenryLaw
H
V
Led floodlight to exsisting 4 core flex
Am fitting a new pir led floodlight . The exsisting light is connected to 4 core round flexible cable, core colours green/yellow, blue, brown...
Replies
12
Views
1K
vgoodman1956
V

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc

YOUR Unread Posts

Electrical Forum

Welcome to the Electrical Forum at ElectriciansForums.net. The friendliest electrical forum online. General electrical questions and answers can be found in the electrical forum.

Tags

advice aus cable circuit course earth electric electrical electrician hello led light lighting lights looking new please question rcd socket supply switch testing training wiring
This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by Untold Media. Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock