Festoon Lights - Can I shorten them??

[moosekat]

Hi All,

i have some festoon lights that I have just hung up in the garden. They are the ones that come with a 3 pin socket on one end, and a 3 pin plug on the other, so that you can daisy chain them if needed. It turns out that mine are a bit too long for my garden, and would like to take the last 2 light sockets and the extension plug off. Is this something that might be possible?

They look like these...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterproof...+String+Festoon+Lights&qid=1592153506&sr=8-19

Many Thanks..

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

I'm not even sure how they can sell these for outdoor use when at the far end there is an open socket with mains on it. You'd think it should have a waterproof blanking plug.

Ah, now I see:

• Business Address:
  • Shen zhen shi long hua qu min zhi jie dao
  • min le yi qu 160 dong 706 shi
  • Shen zhen shi
  • Guang dong sheng
  • 518131
  • CN

 

[moosekat]

so....... Can I shorten them and make the end waterproof?

 

[flameport]

Most likely yes - the wires at the end must be properly insulated from each other, and covered in a suitable material which is equivalent or better to the existing connections.
Adhesive lined heatshrink would be one option.

 

[moosekat]

thanks. I just went ahead and cut the cable to make sure it did still work, and yes they do. So it has 2 cable - Live & Neutral. I am going to insulate these 2 from each other. i will get some adhesive heatshrink for that. Now am I able to put a cap on the end cable to give it a really good waterproof seal? Is there such a thing?
thanks

 

[flameport]

You can make the end cap from the heat shrink sleeve, put a piece over the end so there is about 2cm spare, heat it, and while hot, press the end together with pliers.

 

[SUNRAY]

Hi All,

i have some festoon lights that I have just hung up in the garden. They are the ones that come with a 3 pin socket on one end, and a 3 pin plug on the other, so that you can daisy chain them if needed. It turns out that mine are a bit too long for my garden, and would like to take the last 2 light sockets and the extension plug off. Is this something that might be possible?

They look like these...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterproof...+String+Festoon+Lights&qid=1592153506&sr=8-19

Many Thanks..

Are you saying there is a 13A socket on the end and 2 core cable?

 

[mattylad]

according to the amazon link, It has a 2 pin socket to allow adding another set.
Not a 13A socket.

Also they are weatherproof.

 

[SpecialK]

When I joined and terminated my low voltage outdoor lights I used a cable jointing resin in some plastic tubes. Not sure I would trust heatshrink if its mains voltage?

 

[bernardgreen]

Also they are weatherproof.

Does the socket come with a blanking "plug" or cap ? Necessary to keep water / moisture out the socket when the socket is not being used,

 

[flameport]

Not sure I would trust heatshrink if its mains voltage?

Heatshrink is rated for at least 600V, more in some cases.

 

[SUNRAY]

according to the amazon link, It has a 2 pin socket to allow adding another set.
Not a 13A socket.
View attachment 196033
Also they are weatherproof.

Thanks fr clarifying.

 

[mattylad]

bear in mind that one is only an example the OP posted, it needs the OP to clarify.

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

I don't see it. How can a socket with live open pin holes be considered weatherproof?

 

[RF Lighting]

They have a screw on cap with a little silicone washer to make it waterproof

These are standard connectors on commercial Christmas lights which operate at 230V DC