garden lights!

xyz321 · 20 Mar 2015

hi

would appreciate some help with garden lighting.

i want to put some outside wired garden lights. i assume i need 1.5mm2 aromored cable as i dont want conduits around garden.

1. is it ok for me to have lighting fed from outdoor or indoor 3-pin plugs ? If not what is the cheapest but compliant solution! Sockets are RCD protected. I am thinking of 6 to 8 lights. can get LED version if loading is a big concern!

2. how do i connect an armored cable to 3-pin plug (obviously if it is allowed!)

3. how do i wire armored cable to lights which are normally loop in/loop out? or do i really need to put a JB at each fitting!

4. Finally this is maybe strange but can i use a JB to connect an armored cable to a non-armored cable. Assuming that i am ok to use sockets for these lights, i would prefer to use indoor sockets (outdoor ones are available but not easily accssible for switching on/off). Previous owner had outdoor lighting fed from indoor plugs using unarmored cables. I have disconnected these lights now but he has already drilled holes through main wall to run these cables. i am not to keen on drilling new holes through main wall so i was thinking maybe just as the cable has got to the outside wall i put a JB and one side is eisting unaromored cable and the other is armored cable!

thanks

ban-all-sheds · 20 Mar 2015

xyz321 said:
i assume i need 1.5mm2 aromored cable as i dont want conduits around garden.

Then you will almost certainly need armoured cable.

1. is it ok for me to have lighting fed from outdoor or indoor 3-pin plugs ?

Plugged in inside is really tacky.

But irrelevant, because...

2. how do i connect an armored cable to 3-pin plug (obviously if it is allowed!)

Can't be done.

3. how do i wire armored cable to lights which are normally loop in/loop out?

Buy ones with space for 2 SWA glands.

or do i really need to put a JB at each fitting!

O, of you can't find lights which will take 2 SWA glands, use a JB at each light position. Where will the cables run, and where would you need the JBs?

4. Finally this is maybe strange but can i use a JB to connect an armored cable to a non-armored cable. Assuming that i am ok to use sockets for these lights, i would prefer to use indoor sockets (outdoor ones are available but not easily accssible for switching on/off). Previous owner had outdoor lighting fed from indoor plugs using unarmored cables. I have disconnected these lights now but he has already drilled holes through main wall to run these cables. i am not to keen on drilling new holes through main wall so i was thinking maybe just as the cable has got to the outside wall i put a JB and one side is eisting unaromored cable and the other is armored cable!

A weatherproof JB on the wall outside will be fine. But don't have the internal cable plugged in - use a double-pole switched FCU inside, supplying the JB through the wall, and take the SWA from there.

Wiska boxes are good, and you can get a handy plate to go inside for SWA glands to screw into.

You can also get single ones.

BTW - warning to all, do not do a Google image search for just "wiska" - you must add "box", or something, to the search, or you'll get a lot of NSFW photos....

xyz321 · 20 Mar 2015

ban-all-sheds said:
xyz321 said:

i assume i need 1.5mm2 aromored cable as i dont want conduits around garden.

Click to expand...

Then you will almost certainly need armoured cable.

1. is it ok for me to have lighting fed from outdoor or indoor 3-pin plugs ?

Click to expand...

Plugged in inside is really tacky.

But irrelevant, because...

2. how do i connect an armored cable to 3-pin plug (obviously if it is allowed!)

Click to expand...

Can't be done.

3. how do i wire armored cable to lights which are normally loop in/loop out?

Click to expand...

Buy ones with space for 2 SWA glands.

or do i really need to put a JB at each fitting!

Click to expand...

O, of you can't find lights which will take 2 SWA glands, use a JB at each light position. Where will the cables run, and where would you need the JBs?

4. Finally this is maybe strange but can i use a JB to connect an armored cable to a non-armored cable. Assuming that i am ok to use sockets for these lights, i would prefer to use indoor sockets (outdoor ones are available but not easily accssible for switching on/off). Previous owner had outdoor lighting fed from indoor plugs using unarmored cables. I have disconnected these lights now but he has already drilled holes through main wall to run these cables. i am not to keen on drilling new holes through main wall so i was thinking maybe just as the cable has got to the outside wall i put a JB and one side is eisting unaromored cable and the other is armored cable!

Click to expand...

A weatherproof JB on the wall outside will be fine. But don't have the internal cable plugged in - use a double-pole switched FCU inside, supplying the JB through the wall, and take the SWA from there.

Wiska boxes are good, and you can get a handy plate to go inside for SWA glands to screw into.

You can also get single ones.

BTW - warning to all, do not do a Google image search for just "wiska" - you must add "box", or something, to the search, or you'll get a lot of NSFW photos....

Thanks a lot for detailed reply. If I can't terminate armored cable to plug in socket, is there any alternative without running new circuits or spur? Is this something that I can do or does this become notifiable?

Many thanks

sparkwright · 20 Mar 2015

To power outside lights from a socket, you would wire a (switched, probably) fused spur unit - with a 3 or 5 amp fuse in it.

Some great comments from Ban there that should help you a lot.

xyz321 · 20 Mar 2015

sparkwright said:
To power outside lights from a socket, you would wire a (switched, probably) fused spur unit - with a 3 or 5 amp fuse in it.

Some great comments from Ban there that should help you a lot.

Thanks for your reply. . I suppose fused spur can be wired from a socket or I can replace socket with fused spur. Can you get fused spur where armored cable can be terminated?

sparkwright · 20 Mar 2015

xyz321 said:
sparkwright said:

To power outside lights from a socket, you would wire a (switched, probably) fused spur unit - with a 3 or 5 amp fuse in it.

Some great comments from Ban there that should help you a lot.

Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply. . I suppose fused spur can be wired from a socket or I can replace socket with fused spur. Can you get fused spur where armored cable can be terminated?

It's the metal back box where the armoured cable gets terminated, before you connect the fused spur.

One easy solution is to strip 18 inches of armour off the end of an armoured cable. Get a galvanised 'end' or 'terminal' box with a hole in the back.

Connect cable via gland to the threaded spout on the conduit box, but with the inner cable passing through the hole in back of the box.

Drill hole through wall where fused spur is going. Pass cable through wall.

Outside fit box to wall, ensure box and armour is earthed, seal all holes, fit gasket and lid.

The only problem that could be considered here is whether the 'bedding' of the cable that passes through the wall can be considered as cable sheath.

I gather technically not, so conduit should be used.

As you can see, there is a lot involved in outside electrics. Complicated for DIYers, as everything has to watertight, earthed properly and generally compliant.

SWA has to be terminated correctly, the armour and any metal boxes must be earthed.

I strongly recommend getting an electrician to do all this work for you, as there is a lot to learn before embarking on this project.

flameport · 20 Mar 2015

xyz321 said:
3. how do i wire armored cable to lights which are normally loop in/loop out? or do i really need to put a JB at each fitting!

In addition to the armoured cable, these items are required at each light:

Untitled

flameport
20 Mar 2015
1

Not cheap. Not quick.
Will be compliant and last for years.

Risteard · 21 Mar 2015

flameport said:
xyz321 said:

3. how do i wire armored cable to lights which are normally loop in/loop out? or do i really need to put a JB at each fitting!

Click to expand...

In addition to the armoured cable, these items are required at each light:

Untitled

flameport

20 Mar 2015

1

Not cheap. Not quick.
Will be compliant and last for years.

What's the spare M4 for?

Taylortwocities · 21 Mar 2015

Risteard said:
What's the spare M4 for?

Termination of the earth conductor inside the trouser box. Probably the red eye crimp should be a blue one though

xyz321 · 21 Mar 2015

Thanks. I guess as suggested I better get an electrician in to do this. Probably final question, is this work notifiable or needs certificate? Ta

ban-all-sheds · 21 Mar 2015

xyz321 said:
Probably final question, is this work notifiable

Not unless the electrician decides it needs a new circuit. I can't think why she would.

or needs certificate? Ta

The electrician should give you a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate. (Or an Electrical Installation Certificate if it's a new circuit).

stem · 23 Mar 2015

xyz321 said:
How do i connect an armored cable to 3-pin plug?

Untitled

stem
23 Mar 2015
1

Taylortwocities · 23 Mar 2015

Cannot see your tiny picture.
View media item 92063

stem · 23 Mar 2015

Taylortwocities said:
Cannot see your tiny picture.
View media item 92063

Now modified

Taylortwocities · 23 Mar 2015

STEM's picture shows one way of doing this. If you take this approach, the junction box connectors must be Maintenance Free.

ie, crimps, Wago, or similar that comply with BS5733 mf

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garden lights!

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