Outside garden lights connection query

Kevine · 22 Nov 2020

Hi,
I'm planning to install some garden festoon lights. They have about 20 bulbs and are 240v.
There is an existing light outside and I was hoping to remove that and connect into the 240v connection that is there.
The existing outside light is a spur fed by a light switch on the 6amp lighting ring main.
Would this be feasible to run the festoon lights from this point or should they plug into a socket in the main ring main?

Thanks

ericmark · 22 Nov 2020

The consideration with any outside lights is if there is a likelihood of getting water in it, and if so what will be the result? If RCD protected and from a double pole switch or plug and socket no problem, if single pole how quickly can you repair if it gets water in to get main house lights back.

Kevine · 22 Nov 2020

Hi, thanks. The connection point of existing light is under shelter and new festoon lights are waterproof so would hope I'm ok but I can fit an RCD if needed

winston1 · 23 Nov 2020

Kevine said:
Hi,
I'm planning to install some garden festoon lights. They have about 20 bulbs and are 240v.
There is an existing light outside and I was hoping to remove that and connect into the 240v connection that is there.
The existing outside light is a spur fed by a light switch on the 6amp lighting ring main.
Would this be feasible to run the festoon lights from this point or should they plug into a socket in the main ring main?

Thanks

Lights are not on a ring main. There is no reason not to run your lights off the existing lighting circuit.

Kevine · 23 Nov 2020

Thanks. Think I'll get on with it then and just use existing connection but put a fused spur or RCD there for the new lights

bernardgreen · 23 Nov 2020

winston1 said:
Lights are not on a ring main.

Lights are sometimes installed using a 6 Amp ring final.

winston1 · 23 Nov 2020

Kevine said:
Thanks. Think I'll get on with it then and just use existing connection but put a fused spur or RCD there for the new lights

You don’t need a fused spur on a lighting circuit

winston1 · 23 Nov 2020

bernardgreen said:
Lights are sometimes installed using a 6 amp ring final.

It is not unusual to sometimes find something done wrongly.

Kevine · 23 Nov 2020

winston1 said:
You don’t need a fused spur on a lighting circuit

Ok thanks. Can I just make a connection from lights straight to the existing connection or should I put a socket on existing connection for new lights?
Thanks

bernardgreen · 23 Nov 2020

winston1 said:
It is not unusual to sometimes find something done wrongly.

and it is not unusual for a person's opinion to be wrong leading to bad advice to the person looking for guidance,

Winston. Please show me and the OP any document that states that installing lights on a ring final is wrong.

winston1 said:
You don’t need a fused spur on a lighting circuit

It is a good way to provide isolation for lights, such as outside lights, which, if damaged or damp, could trip protective devices. Removing the fuse would prevent accidental restoreation by someone, unaware of a problem/hazard, switching the lights back ON

DetlefSchmitz · 23 Nov 2020

@Kevine : Winston's agenda is one of self-aggrandisement, not providing helpful information.

SUNRAY · 23 Nov 2020

As has been suggested the best thing to do with a festoon outdoors is to provide a means of isolating L & N.
There are several methods, 3 of which have been suggested, IE: plug & socket - a 13A socket on any convenient circuit [power or lighting] will be fine, double pole switch or Fused spur. Bernard has given an excellent reason for using a fused spur and despite what Winston incorrectly mentions a 3A fuse is very usefull when the festoon fills with water and creates a fault. Another good reason for using a fused spur is they are often cheaper than a matching double pole switch.

Of the 3 options chose whichever is the most convenient and ignore Winstons silly posts.

SUNRAY · 23 Nov 2020

I also meant to add - check the circuit has RCD protection or add it in, the easiest way is a FCU RCD or RCD 13A socket.

winston1 · 24 Nov 2020

A double pole switch is the way to go. If the installation is done properly the lights won’t fill with water.

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Outside garden lights connection query

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