outside lights

[magners75]

Hi all.

I wonder if someone would cast there professional eye over my plan. I want to install a few lights outside around my pond.

I intend to remove a socket and put an RCD & fuse unit in.
from here run in 1.5mm cable to a switch.
Then in SWA taken outside and buried in ground 18 inches, run about 15 m to the pond.
SWA will then connect to the 240v cable of an outdoor transformer.
each light wired to the transformer.

lights:
http://www.water-garden.co.uk/pond_lighting_lunaqua3.php

RCD:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/83049/Electrical-Supplies/RCDs/Volex-13A-RCD-FCU

Switch:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/30386...White-Moulded/Volex-Range/Volex-10AX-1G-1W-Sw

Cable:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/36101...V-Armoured-3-Core-Black-1-5mm-100m-Cable-Reel

My questions are:

Does the above sound ok?

What is the best way to join the SWA to the transformer cable? was thinking of one of these
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/20485...oof/MK-Masterseal-IP56/Masterseal-IP56-1G-Skt
But i don't have any walls to fix it to, could I concrete in a post and screw it to that or is there a better way of fixing.

I assume it is not ok to bury the 240v cable going to the transformer (as its not SWA) but is it ok to bury the 12v cable going to the lights?

Thanks for reading and any help gladly received.

 

[wingcoax]

Sounds ok, BUT.. Who is going to sign off YOUR work as THEIR own? Put another way, this is notifiable under "PART P" of building regs. Which means you pay the council to be as obstinate as they want.Also i would run the 12v(extra low voltage) in some type of pipe or duct for protection.

 

[magners75]

Thanks.

I'm aware of the requirements for Part P. I've seen cables run in a flexable hose before, do you think running the 12v(extra low voltage) in that would be ok?

 

[Steve]

I've seen cables run in a flexable hose before, do you think running the 12v(extra low voltage) in that would be ok?

You might as well not bother. Hose offers zero protection over standard flex.

You dont need a switch AND an RCD unit - use the RCD unit to turn them on and off.

How does the pond get a supply for its filter and pump? Cant you use this?

You might not need an RCD - is the circuit itself RCD protected?


Concrete in a sturdy wooden post and fix the transformer and socket/junction box to it.

 

[magners75]

Thanks for your reply

I wont bother using hose then, is the 12v flex ok to bury on its own?

The ring main in not RCD protected.

The pond pump is 12v and the transformer is in the house, this got me thinking

1) Could i use the pump 12v to supply the lights? (i'm guessing not as it was only designed to run the pump)

2) Could i put the transformer for the lights in the house and extend the 12v cable?

Thanks

 

[ban-all-sheds]

is the 12v flex ok to bury on its own?

No.

The ring main in not RCD protected.

Then you'll need RCD protection for outside sockets.

1) Could i use the pump 12v to supply the lights? (i'm guessing not as it was only designed to run the pump)

You guess right.

2) Could i put the transformer for the lights in the house and extend the 12v cable?

Almost certainly not - voltage drop will be too high.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/4.3.11.htm

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/Lighting/VoltageDrop.html

I'm aware of the requirements for Part P.

Be honest with yourself, if no-one else - hand on heart do you think you know enough to be able to comply with P1?

 

[Steve]

Dont alter the pumps wiring. It'll be designed right on the limits of acceptibility (built down to a price).

Just site the lighting transformer on a fence or a sturdy post near the location.

 

[magners75]

Thanks guys.

Ok so back to the original plan then. If i can't bury the 12v flex cable, is it ok just lay them on the ground (or is there a better way).

Be honest with yourself, if no-one else - hand on heart do you think you know enough to be able to comply with P1?

Yes I think I know enougth, and if I was unsure I would readup/ research it / ask questions etc

 

[ban-all-sheds]

If i can't bury the 12v flex cable, is it ok just lay them on the ground

No.

(or is there a better way).

Bury in earthed galvanised steel conduit. Difficult to keep watertight and rust free.

Or use armoured cable.

Or run it above ground, clipped to a substantial permanent structure.

 

[magners75]

Thanks

I havent got the lights yet but they appear to be pre-wired, so they would need to be modified to us armour or put the 12v cable in conduit

Also there are no substantial permanent structures near to where the lights will be going.

I'll give the manafacturer a ring tomorrow regarding the above and to see if they have any bright ideas

 

[LoveRocket]

Bury the 12v flex if you want, or just leave it on the surface - it's only 12v, who cares? It's not going to hurt anyone (although don't put a spade through it!)

 

[Steve]

Bury the 12v flex if you want, or just leave it on the surface - it's only 12v, who cares? It's not going to hurt anyone (although don't put a spade through it!)

seconded. IMO its best left on the surface so you know its there - easy to forget when hoeing or shovelling.

Far worse things done.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Bury the 12v flex if you want, or just leave it on the surface - it's only 12v, who cares? It's not going to hurt anyone (although don't put a spade through it!)

LR - please don't tell people to do shoddy and shamefully nasty work - you should urge people to strive at all times to do the best possible job they can.

 

[Steve]

ban, how would you do this? The OP has a prefabricated kit, with premade leads. I know this isnt the setup YOU'd choose, but if you were faced with this, what would YOU do, without saying "buy something else"?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Use SWA underground, joined to light flex above ground.