External lights on internal ring? (And dimmer question)

[^woody^]

I've fitted two sets of external lights - downlights and bulkheads, and although they are external they are in sheltered positions.

I want to control these independently from two switches in the house.

So should I (could I) add these to the existing ground floor lighting ring, or should they be off a dedicated external light circuit?

I'm not having any external wire or conduit so that is why I wondered about connecting these to the internal ring. Else I will need to run a cable through the house from the CU

I might end up using dimmer switches for these lights, so would a loop in the switch be too crowded, or am I better off looping at a junction box?

 

[flameport]

Use the existing circuit, unless it's already loaded up to it's maximum capacity (exceptionally unlikely unless you have dozens of halogen downlights in every room).

Loop at the switch is fine, but fit a 35mm+ depth box to accommodate the wiring and dimmer.

It may be advantageous to fit a double pole switch somewhere to isolate the outside lights from the rest of the circuit in the event of a fault such as them filling with water. However most people do not bother and if problems occur the outside lights are usually the first thing to check anyway.

 

[winston1]

The ground floor lighting should NOT be a ring. Rings are only used for socket circuits.

 

[EFLImpudence]

It doesn't matter if it is, though, does it?

 

[^woody^]

The ground floor lighting should NOT be a ring. Rings are only used for socket circuits.

That's just me. I always tend to call them light and socket rings.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Don't worry about it woody. You know what you mean, we know what you mean, and that is all that matters.