Twin & Earth Outdoors - how to protect it?

[IfInDoubtDIY]

Hi all,

I have an outdoor security light above our garage which has stopped working. The light was there when we moved in in summer 2023 and stopped working in October last year. Mrs IfInDoubtDIY would like it working again as it’s safer than walking down a dark driveway at night (trip hazard!)

I’m confident I can do this myself properly - and as you will see from the attached picture below the installation was not exactly done “properly” in the first place - for one thing the JB used is not really suitable for outdoor use, for another, Twin And Earth has been used instead of suitable flex!

My plan is to replace this light with a similar one (lower wattage as the existing was far too bright), and move it down closer to the top of the garage door (mainly to make it easier to access for maintenance). To do this I’ll use a Wiska box with glands and some suitable rubber sheathed flex (0.75mm2 or 1mm2). I’ll mount the Wiska up near where the Twin and Earth comes out from under the eaves and route the flex down to the replacement light.

My question however is how to protect any remaining Twin and Earth? It’s inevitable there will still be some exposed as it’s not going to be possible to get a Wiska close to the eaves - and I can’t pull the Twin and Earth out - I have tried!

Any suggestions?

 

[blup]

Some will snd can be exposed, just ensure you use a suitably IP rated box and gland the entry points

 

[IfInDoubtDIY]

Thanks @blup - hopefully the wee short bit that will be left won’t be that exposed to the elements. As for your recommendation to use a suitable box, I plan to purchase one of these:

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/5049908-combi-108bk-3-221-413-76mm-x-76mm-x-51mm-pvc-adaptable-box-black-ip66?srsltid=AfmBOorTRpkM5zcz7bIdWePNHFbHEinJ2tiAig1bHGDbEXBT8Egt9U8eW34&gQT=2

 

[jj4091]

That looks like a suitably rated junction box you already have. Personally I would just remove the existing lamp then move the junction box closer to the facia board on the baten and push the excess T & E further up under the facia board. Push the T & E further through the grommit so that the cores are covered.Then take your new cable down to your new junction box etc. etc.

 

[Murdochcat]

You should have posted these photos before your first thread

 

[IfInDoubtDIY]

You should have posted these photos before your first thread

I probably should have - but I was at work and didn’t get time to take photos until this morning.

 

[IfInDoubtDIY]

That looks like a suitably rated junction box you already have. Personally I would just remove the existing lamp then move the junction box closer to the facia board on the baten and push the excess T & E further up under the facia board. Push the T & E further through the grommit so that the cores are covered.Then take your new cable down to your new junction box etc. etc.

That’s interesting - wasn’t aware this junction box was suitable - as I had read online that it wasn’t.

 

[SUNRAY]

If you are lowering the light, I'd be inclined to drill a hole through the wall near the new position and bring the cable straight into the back of the box, even better would be if the light had a longer tail and the junction box is inside.

These do of course depend on what the interior is like.

 

[IfInDoubtDIY]

If you are lowering the light, I'd be inclined to drill a hole through the wall near the new position and bring the cable straight into the back of the box, even better would be if the light had a longer tail and the junction box is inside.

These do of course depend on what the interior is like.

This is something I am considering. My concern would be where to route the cable once it was inside. I’d need to have a look and see as I think it may be doable. It’s certainly a good excuse to buy that SDS drill I’ve had my eye on!

 

[IfInDoubtDIY]

Update for everyone who may be interested:

I have purchased everything I need to drill through the wall and wire the new light to an internal box, so no need for much cabling outside.

 

[Taylortwocities]

That’s interesting - wasn’t aware this junction box was suitable - as I had read online that it wasn’t.

It is suitable if properly installed. If you using the supplied grommety things, then only use the bottom ones.
Fit stuffing glands otherwise or water will get in.
Make a drain hole in the bottom.
As above. Fit the box in the shelter of the fascia board.

 

[ericmark]

I have twin & earth outside, I know it should not be used outside, but been there for years, well before I moved in. And it does not seem to have been affected too much by UV from the sun.

I looked at the idea of directional lights, but mine are near corners, so a carriage lamps gives better spread, and will also take smart bulbs, so I can switch on when required. More to point, don't switch off when required, walking to house with arms full of shopping and the lights turn off is not funny. If they had not been on, would be using the phone torch, but need to put things down to get phone out.

So looked at the price of a directional lamp, plus a smart switch of some sort, and of a carriage lamp with smart bulb, and it was clear the carriage lamp with smart bulb was the way to go. Can switch on lights in the car, and then off in the house, and also it does not light the way for intruders, and there are some 4 to 6 foot drops around my house.

 

[JohnW2]

I have twin & earth outside, I know it should not be used outside, but been there for years, well before I moved in. And it does not seem to have been affected too much by UV from the sun.

Same here. Looked as if it had been there for a good few years when we moved in, and that was nearly 40 years ago. Still working fine with no obvious signs of any deterioration (and IRs fine).

 

[Ragnar_AT]

When my parents bought their house in 2009 I found an extension lead (H05VV-F) strung along the fence to power a garden room, possibly since 1989. It was still in great condition so I pulled it from the fence and kept using it.

 

[ebee]

Yes T&E is not really suitable officially but in practice it is and often suffers less than expected and is ok for years