Outside socket and light options

[dust66]

Hi all
I'm planning to install an outside socket and a light for my garden and I'm torn between two options.
Im ok DIYer with some electrics background but havent done much wall chasing etc
My initial plan was:

-Spur off Ring Main socket with 2.5mm T&E into an indoor 13A Switched FCU
-From that 13A FCU, 2.5mm T&E, through the wall into the outside socket
-Spur from the outside socket through a gland and up across the wall with 1.5mm H07
-Go back into the flat into a switched FCU with 3A fuse (So I can use this as an ON/OFF switch for the outside light)
-From the 3A FCU back out and carry on up the wall into the light with 0.75mm H05 (pond type suitable for outside) into the IP65 light

Was thinking to do it this way to limit tha amount of wall chasing etc. I had a chat with an electrician mate and looked at me a bit weird and said that's a starnge way to do it

He said to just extend the ring mains to the outside socket by running 2x 2.5mm T&E to it and then spur off that for the light. I guess that's a proper way to do it? It's only missing the 13A FCU to be able to isolate the outside socket which I was thinking it's good to have in case of a fault outside etc

What do you think? option 2?

 

[ericmark]

Outside electrics can get water in them, and trip the RCD, so I would never take the ring final outside, as I want to be able to isolate it.

I can't work out what chasing is required. So can't comment on that.

 

[dust66]

Outside electrics can get water in them, and trip the RCD, so I would never take the ring final outside, as I want to be able to isolate it.

I can't work out what chasing is required. So can't comment on that.

thanks for the reply.

Yea that's exactly what I'm thinking and want to be able to isolate the outside.
I guess it's impossible to incorporate some sort of isolator switch for the outside socket if it's wire in the ring mains eh?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

He said to just extend the ring mains to the outside socket by running 2x 2.5mm T&E to it and then spur off that for the light. I guess that's a proper way to do it?

As above, taking the ring outdoors, is really bad news. Take it via a double-pole fused, spur unit. That way, both the L+N can be easily isolated from the ring, if a fault develops or moisture get in. If it only isolates the L, with the N still connected, it can still trip your RCD/RCBO.

 

[dust66]

As above, taking the ring outdoors, is really bad news. Take it via a double-pole fused, spur unit. That way, both the L+N can be easily isolated from the ring, if a fault develops or moisture get in.

Ok thanks.
THat means it has to be a spur right?

 

[ericmark]

Yep

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Ok thanks.
THat means it has to be a spur right?

Correct!

You will also likely need a fused spur unit, instead of a light switch, for your light, if you want to wire it in 1mm T&E.

 

[trojanhawrs]

A couple suggestions/questions.
Does your ring circuit currently have RCD protection? If not, you'll need to fit a RCD socket for outside.
Does the light need to be switched? A lot of outside lights have PIR (motion) sensors and dusk to dawn settings.

If you're running the cable externally, this is an ideal job for conduit. Looks a lot tidier than a wavy flex clipped up the wall. Your floodlight will probably have a short tail of prewired cable, which you can gland and joint in a conduit 90 box

 

[dust66]

A couple suggestions/questions.
Does your ring circuit currently have RCD protection? If not, you'll need to fit a RCD socket for outside.
Does the light need to be switched? A lot of outside lights have PIR (motion) sensors and dusk to dawn settings.

If you're running the cable externally, this is an ideal job for conduit. Looks a lot tidier than a wavy flex clipped up the wall. Your floodlight will probably have a short tail of prewired cable, which you can gland and joint in a conduit 90 box

Thanks for the reply

Yes the Ring Mains has an RCD.

I'd rather have the switch for the light cause I want to have control when to turn it on or off. Could add a PIR at a later time but I'm not that bothered.

I did look into using conduit but decided against as it's extra cost/material etc. I was in a pub one evening and in their garden they just had a black H07 going up to some outside lights and looked quite neat so decided to do it that way

If it looks completely crap I can add the conduit. How can you fit a gland to that conduit 90 box? I'm guessing the conduit is just a push fit into that box? And on the other end it will need to come out of my outside socket, do I need a gland for it to go through it?

thanks!

https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-...NJH674EhnQqYHuogkM_mMc4Zi7G9vEOhoCqXsQAvD_BwE

 

[EFLImpudence]

Why don't you have two separate spurs; one for the socket and one for the light?

 

[dust66]

Why don't you have two separate spurs; one for the socket and one for the light?

from the same socket inside? I have to fit 4 wires into each terminal?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes.

 

[trojanhawrs]

If it looks completely crap I can add the conduit. How can you fit a gland to that conduit 90 box? I'm guessing the conduit is just a push fit into that box? And on the other end it will need to come out of my outside socket, do I need a gland for it to go through it?

Lol you're dreaming, once it's in it'll be staying like that till the end of time!
If using pvc conduit you use these and swap the bush for a m20 stuffing gland. Cut a short nipple of conduit to join. Or you can use a junction box if you prefer.