Outside lighting

[Ballpein]

Evening all,

I have a security lighting (twin spot/230w flood/60w porch) project to start, or should I say my wife wants me to start !
Our kitchen is an extention with a loft so the feed/s will be taken up there.

Can I take just one feed from the cooker main (cooker not used) to supply all three lights ?
or is it best taking a spur from a socket ?

and is my list lacking anything?

5 amp FCU
Junction box 20A 6t
3 gang, one way switch
twin earth 1.5mm
twin earth 2.5mm

Any comments would be most welcome

 

[Spark123]

Work in a kitchen is notifiable to your LABC under part p hence it would be best to avoid tinkering with the kitchen electrics if you can (unless you have a big wallet).
Is it possible to access the existing lighting circuit in the loft? 230w is an odd size for a flood, do you mean 230v? If so, what wattage?
Technically reading the law adding outdoor electrics is notifiable too but the guidance offered by the government says you can add an outside light as long as there are no exposed outdoor connections: page 9 (i) here: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/AD_P_wm.pdf

 

[Ballpein]

Thanks for your reply Spark123,

I have access to the lighting circuit in the loft yes,
and the flood light will be using a 230w R7s 118mm halogen strip

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I have access to the lighting circuit in the loft yes,

Will you put the switches up there?

and the flood light will be using a 230w R7s 118mm halogen strip

There is no explicit wattage limit in the Building Regulations, but there is a requirement for lighting to be energy efficient.

The guidance in Approved Document L1B/The Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide says 100W. 230W is so far above that that there's not a cat in hell's chance that it would be compliant.

 

[Ballpein]

The 3 gang switch I hoped would be in the kitchen,
and I can only use a 100w halogen strip bulb if I fit it myself without notification ?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The 3 gang switch I hoped would be in the kitchen,

Notifiable.

and I can only use a 100w halogen strip bulb if I fit it myself without notification ?

The Building Regulations apply whether the work is notifiable or not, and whether you notify or not.

Why on earth do you want such a monstrous light anyway?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The 3 gang switch I hoped would be in the kitchen,

Notifiable.

and I can only use a 100w halogen strip bulb if I fit it myself without notification ?

The Building Regulations apply whether the work is notifiable or not, and whether you notify or not.

Why on earth do you want such a monstrous light anyway?

 

[Ballpein]

We have a very large back garden and I opted not for the 500w but the, what I thought was the sensible choice, smaller option

I'm I making things difficult for myself because I want to take the feed from the kitchen ?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

We have a very large back garden and I opted not for the 500w but the, what I thought was the sensible choice, smaller option

A more powerful lamp won't make the PIR more sensitive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_lighting

http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/pdfs/ile.pdf

http://www.dark-sky-lighting.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=67009

http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/crime.html

http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/floodlights.html

http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/cleanact.html

I'm I making things difficult for myself because I want to take the feed from the kitchen ?

http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:part-p

 

[Ballpein]

Thanks for the heads up on the regs.

As for the flood light...... a 40w light would not give enough illumination for our garden and a 500w could be overkill.

As for the PIR, one will not be fitted.

A can of worms I think I've opened

Again, thanks for the replys.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

As for the flood light...... a 40w light would not give enough illumination for our garden and a 500w could be overkill.

As for the PIR, one will not be fitted.

So it's not a security light?

The guidance for Building Regulations compliance does not permit any halogen lighting not on a PIR and a dusk-dawn sensor.

And you actually want to light the garden up for use reasons, using a floodlight on the house?

That will be horrible.

 

[Steve]

When I moved to this house, the back garden was lit by a 500w floodlight on a PIR. Yuck. I had it disconnected immediately, and fitted a 26 watt fluorescent fitting - its a small white opaque rectangle bulkhead with two 13 watt PL lamps in it, much more attractive than a "boggle eye" floodlight like the one I assume you have. It emits a nice glow, enough to gently light my back garden without peeing off all the neighbours. It is not PIR controlled, but there is a switch on the other side of the wall in the kitchen. It doesnt need to be PIR controlled. I turn it on when I go out, it reaches full brightness within a minute (unless its below zero degrees then it takes a bit longer).

If you have a longer garden, you could fit something like a sodium light or a metal halide light, but beware, you cannot switch these frequently. They are more at home on a timer or photocell (light sensor) so they cannot be inadvertently switched. They have to cool down before they will re-ignite (5 mins) then they take a few minutes to reach full whack. Think street lighting. They are however the most efficient lights for large outdoor space lighting. 70 watts is enough for most large gardens. I have seen a 400 watt metal halide in action. VERY bright. The moths love them.

You could also look at LEDs but the technology is in its infancy and expensive! They are improving, and some very high power LEDs are on the market now. They light instantly to full power, and can be controlled by a PIR.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I still think that whatever technology you use, a light powerful enough to illuminate a large garden from one end will be unpleasant to be under.

Put lights out in the garden.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It doesnt need to be PIR controlled.

It's not halogen.

 

[Ballpein]

More to think about, thanks guys