Cable for security light

I

ian123uk

I recently bought a PIR operated security light to fit to the outside of my house, the instructions that came with it specify that it should be connected using 1mm2, 3 core flex H05RN-F.

The problem is I can't find this cable any where, I've looked in local DIY stores (B&Q and Homebase) and any internet sites I can think of (Screw Fix, CPC, even ebay).

Does anyone know where I can find this cable?

Possible alternatives? I have found 3 other cables that I can get hold of, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on these as alternatives.

I'd best tell you a bit about the installation first. The light is a 230W halogen type. I have an existing FCU that used to feed an immersion heater that is now redundant, I plan to fit a 3A fuse to this FCU and run a 1mm2 T&E cable into the attic to a junction box, from here I'll run the cable in question out through the soffit board and down the external wall to the light.


Option 1: 1.5mm2 3 core H05VV-F artic cable, I think this would be ok in terms of rating and safety, however it only comes in yellow or bright blue and would look a bit ugly running down the outside of my house.

Option 2: 1mm2 black 3 core flex H05RR-F, I think this would be ok in terms of rating, but would this be ok for outside use? I believe the RR instead of RN means it has a Rubber outer instead of a Polychloroprene outer.

Option 3: 0.75mm2 3 core pond flex H05RN-F, this is the same type as the flex specified in the installation instructions, however it has a lower rating. It is rated to 6A, am I right in thinking that a 230W light would only draw approx. 1A? if so, I'm confused why the manufacturers would specify 1mm2 flex. The flex will also be protected by a 3A fuse.

Sorry to post such a long question, any advice would be much appreciated.
 
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Thanks for the reply.

I haven't heard of Hi Tuff before, I'll look into that.
 
I just rang a local supplier that I wasn't previously aware existed.

I explained what I was doing and was told I simply needed a rubber flex.

Would a simple rudder flex without a neoprene outer be suitable for outdoor use?
 
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I recently bought a PIR operated security light to fit to the outside of my house,
Part P


The problem is I can't find this cable any where, I've looked in local DIY stores (B&Q and Homebase) and any internet sites I can think of (Screw Fix, CPC, even ebay).
Err..... ??



The light is a 230W halogen type.
1) 230W is way over the maximum recommended by the Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide

2) Halogen lighting is below the efficiency limit recommended by ditto.

OK - strictly speaking the limits in that guide are not explicitly laid down in law, but the requirement for energy efficient services is, and the probability of you persuading Building Control that your halogen light will actually comply is somewhere between 0.0 and 0.00.


You should also read these:

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

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

http://www.cibse.org/pdfs/fact72003.pdf


it only comes in yellow or bright blue and would look a bit ugly running down the outside of my house.
All cables running down the outside of houses look ugly - run it internally and take it through the wall into the back of the light.

It is rated to 6A, am I right in thinking that a 230W light would only draw approx. 1A? if so, I'm confused why the manufacturers would specify 1mm2 flex.
Electrically the 0.75mm² would be fine. Maybe the light has a gland which won't seal onto a smaller diameter cable?

Re Hi-Tuf - if you use that then keep it in the warm until you're ready to install it, or you'll never bend the wretched stuff.
 
Ban-all-sheds.

I appreciate you taking the time to reply to my post, however, I don't appreciate the tone. I asked some specific questions relating to cable suitability. I didn't ask for sarcasm nor did I ask for your opinion on security lights in general.

I picked my 230W light from a shelf full of 300, 400 and even 500W halogen lights, I hardly think 230W is excessive. Plus my choice of light is exactly that, whether or not I can persuade Building Control that it complies with their 'guide' doesn't concern me in the slightest.

As for your google link, I'm fully aware of how to use google, how do you think I found this website!

If you are the sort of person who spends their time replying to these forum questions I think I'll stay clear in future.
 
I appreciate you taking the time to reply to my post, however, I don't appreciate the tone.
Well I'm all broken up about that.


I asked some specific questions relating to cable suitability.
Which I helped with. If you do end up using Hi-Tuf, and you do leave it in the shed or garage, you will seriously wish you had taken my advice.


I didn't ask for sarcasm
Perhaps you shouldn't have said you couldn't find anything on the internet when a Google search finds suppliers on the first page of results.


nor did I ask for your opinion on security lights in general.
I'm afraid that you have neither the power nor the right to limit the scope of advice which people can give.


I picked my 230W light from a shelf full of 300, 400 and even 500W halogen lights, I hardly think 230W is excessive.
Maybe you don't.

But the law clearly does.


Plus my choice of light is exactly that, whether or not I can persuade Building Control that it complies with their 'guide' doesn't concern me in the slightest.
So what will you do when they refuse you approval?


As for your google link, I'm fully aware of how to use google, how do you think I found this website!
I don't know, but why when you Googled for H05RN-F did you not look through the results?


If you are the sort of person who spends their time replying to these forum questions I think I'll stay clear in future.
That might be best, given your attitude to being told things which you find inconvenient, and the fact that you'll find hundreds, possibly thousands, of instances of LMGTFY links being used here.
 
Ban-all-sheds.

I appreciate you taking the time to reply to my post, however, I don't appreciate the tone. I asked some specific questions relating to cable suitability. I didn't ask for sarcasm nor did I ask for your opinion on security lights in general.

I picked my 230W light from a shelf full of 300, 400 and even 500W halogen lights, I hardly think 230W is excessive. Plus my choice of light is exactly that, whether or not I can persuade Building Control that it complies with their 'guide' doesn't concern me in the slightest.

As for your google link, I'm fully aware of how to use google, how do you think I found this website!

If you are the sort of person who spends their time replying to these forum questions I think I'll stay clear in future.


'Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war'
Shakespeare's 'Julius Ceasar'

Not a good move rattling the BaS
 
"If you are the sort of person who spends their time replying to these forum questions I think I'll stay clear in future."
good :LOL:
 
Oh look - some **** voted this down.

Let's go through it point by point, and see if we can find what merited that, or if we can find yet more evidence that he's stupid and immature.


Would the **** care to explain why advice about the law should not be posted here?


Was it this? Are you going to vote down every post where someone puts a LMGTFY link in it?

You'll be a busy little **** if so.

Here's one to get you started:
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1766462#1766462


1) 230W is way over the maximum recommended by the Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide
Is that incorrect?


2) Halogen lighting is below the efficiency limit recommended by ditto.
Or that?


OK - strictly speaking the limits in that guide are not explicitly laid down in law, but the requirement for energy efficient services is, and the probability of you persuading Building Control that your halogen light will actually comply is somewhere between 0.0 and 0.00.
Or that?


You should also read these:

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

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

http://www.cibse.org/pdfs/fact72003.pdf[/QUOTE]
Would you please explain why providing links to external sites with information relevant to the work the OP is planning to do is not something that should happen on this advice forum?


Would you please explain why advice on the safe concealment of cables in walls should not be given on this advice forum?


Electrically the 0.75mm² would be fine. Maybe the light has a gland which won't seal onto a smaller diameter cable?
Would you please explain why I should not have answered the OP's question about the use of 0.75mm² cable?

If you believe that I can't possibly be right about the gland would you please engage in a worthwhile and intelligent debate on that issue?


Re Hi-Tuf - if you use that then keep it in the warm until you're ready to install it, or you'll never bend the wretched stuff.
It's been my experience of Hi-Tuf that it does indeed get very stiff when it's cold, so would you please explain why I should not have given that practical advice to the OP?
 

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