Garden Decking lighing

[marcus g]

Hi,

have some spotlights that i want to get put in to decking in the garden and a plug socket. Before i get a few quotes from electricians want to get a basic understanding of what should/needs to be done.

My fusebox is BEYOND ancient, however a much newer fusebox was installed for the kitchen so it's on it's own ring circuit. I have an existing twin socket that's not used. if i replace with a RCD socket and have the garden decking lights plugged in to this, will it suffice in terms of ensuring there's a proper circuit breaker in case anything goes wrong? Also if the RCD socket trips will that also knockout the rest of the kitchen circuit?

when running the cable outside is there any additional covering of the cable that is necessary i.e. some type of plastic sheathing? even if it's not necessary should it not be done for extra protection agianst the elements?

Any advice greatly appreciated

Thanks

Marcus

 

[trev]

Marcus a lot depends on what you want and where it's going to be eg if you're having a lot of lights dotted around then you'll probably have to go for steel wire armoured cable buried so as to prevent possible damage but if the decking is attached to the property you COULD get away with installing the support structure for it and laying the cables on the ground as they are unlikely to ever be disturbed.
I think you would be best off getting some local sparks in for quotes and asking them about their proposed methods and why they want to do it that way. Post up your rough location, I'd bet we have members near you who would advise.

 

[dingledong]

trev under decking is a place for rats si it would have to be swa there was a radio programme that said decking had helped with rat populations

 

[trev]

That'swhy I put COULD mate, also why I'd not have decking rats and mice scare the bejasus out of me. I hate the furry little disease ridden things

 

[dingledong]

but good for pulling cables and they work for cheese

 

[marcus g]

it's actually only 4 decking lights. the decking is at the rear of a 50ft long garden. the rest of the garden has pea shingle. so in effect i would be a case of running a cable for about 35ft to where the decking is.

i like in Acton/Shep bush london.

 

[trev]

I prefer apprentices for that Dingle, Most of them don't bite and those that do are less likely to have Weils disease.

 

[trev]

Could the cable be routed above ground, for example cleated to a fence, or do you want it hidden? If hidden it's going to cost more since it would have to be dug in. Good character building job for the apprentice.
Where is the socket planned to be? If against the house it'll be cheaper than up on the deck for the same reasons

 

[trev]

The only member I can think of immediately that could be near you is Spinlondon. Give him a PM Marcus, if he can't do it I'll bet he could recommend someone

 

[GLENNSPARK]

so what would be the current draw for these?...selv?

 

[marcus g]

trev - would prefer it hidden - didn't think of the overground fence route though. i will give Spin london a PM. thanks

 

[GLENNSPARK]

trev - would prefer it hidden - didn't think of the overground fence route though. i will give Spin london a PM. thanks

better off underground mate....and away from where there may be any digging activities (obviously)..lol....i dont think a fence is really a suitable structure to be clipping cable/s to.....what if the wind gets up and blows said fence down?..lol.......

 

[trev]

If you're still stuck after talking to him come back to us. Like the rest of the building industry there are cowboys who will take your eyes out then come back for the sockets. None of those type of people are welcome here, you've done the right thing so far by asking us and I'd hate to see you get stiffed.
Let us know how you get on

 

[trev]

better off underground mate....and away from where there may be any digging activities (obviously)..lol....i dont think a fence is really a suitable structure to be clipping cable/s to.....what if the wind gets up and blows said fence down?..lol.......

Yeah but if it were a really good strong thing it'd be ok. I've got a mate who is a wood butcher, you want to see someof the things he puts up

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Yeah but if it were a really good strong thing it'd be ok. I've got a mate who is a wood butcher, you want to see someof the things he puts up

yep...no probs Trev.....

 

[dingledong]

the cable might hold the fence together