External cable help

[jjc]

Which cable would you recommend for running external mains lighting.
the cable would be above ground secured along walls,
in a coastal enviroment?
its to replace an existing cable , and is only about 12 feet long

 

[comms]

3 core 1.5mm swa (steel wire armour)

 

[jjc]

mmm
yeah thanks for reply comms
I was hoping there was something a bit more flexible than swa
The external light ive got wouldnt be to accomodating for this either
any other ideas, I was thinking of something along the lines of artic blue but maybe in black ? but non sure about the permanence of that.
I know I could run conduit, but would prefer just a external flexi cable if there is one.
cheers

 

[comms]

could use 1.5mm 3 core hi-tuf cable, look on www.TLC-direct.co.uk

 

[mapj1]

If the cable is exposed to sunshine, you really need the UV stabilised stuff. I'd also support armourclad, or second choice trunking and ordinary T and E, but minimising the exposed sections to the finla link loops and routed to be shaded from direct sunlight. (under eaves perhaps?) Does this light fitting have proper waterproof glands, or just a hole and a grommet? It may not really be up to salt spray and all that.
If you can do it in conduit, that really would be much better in the long term.
What was there originally and has it failed?

 

[jjc]

Hi guys thanks again
I was looking at the high tuff, but was put off with the fact it says for temporary wiring on open sites.

The light I have is IP44
one of these to be exact
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/GLFIN845.html

Im unsure of the original cable its two core with an outer solid copper sheath surrounded by some sort of pvc Im assuming, the cable is badly corroded as are the external light fittings, the rubber seal having become so badly corroded I could not remove the glass dome without breaking it
they have obviously lasted well but I have been unable to find similar? makers name cougrie Glasgow?
The material separating the two inner cores seems to have become a white powdery substance ?

 

[theshogun]

The cable you describe is mineral cable,these types of cables need special tools to strip and make the end gland off ,they then need to be tested to find polarity,insulation resistance etc.

If this cable end is damaged you will need a sparks to remake the end of the cable, however i would recomend replacing this cable for SWA .

 

[andy]

I was hoping there was something a bit more flexible than swa

try workin with 2x 2C 16mm armoured in a tight space.

 

[jjc]

thanks for info theshogun

thats why im looking for suitable replacement? looks like it might be the high tuff then ?

 

[paulh53]

I was hoping there was something a bit more flexible than swa

try workin with 2x 2C 16mm armoured in a tight space.

Try working with 300mm2 4core armoured in a tight space

 

[jjc]

Yeah
point being though, the lights are fairly brittle plastic nowadays
and swa and associated glands will more than likely snap them.?
unless anyone knows where I can get decent looking external lights that are a bit hardier, the original ones are a tuff sturdy metal type.

 

[andy]

I was hoping there was something a bit more flexible than swa

try workin with 2x 2C 16mm armoured in a tight space.

Try working with 300mm2 4core armoured in a tight space

125mm was hard enough... took 25 council sparks to pull 1 armoured cable in. by 2PM day 1 all that was done was draw lines were in the ducts.... which we had to replace b/c the existing onces snapped...

 

[mapj1]

coming back on thread, perhaps consider SWA to conduit boxes, then short tails of arctic or Hi-tuf to the lamps themselves.

 

[jjc]

funny you should say that mapj1, because thats what i was just thinking
would look ugly on the wall though i reckon

 

[jjc]

mapj1 I note your earlier coment about "does the light have proper waterproof glands" the answer is no its just a grommet at the back though the TLC site does state it should be ok for salt spray? I wonder..
the ones I removed had proper waterproof glands

do you know where such lights may be available, I have been searching the web for quite some time and have not come up with anything as ruggedised and decorative as the ones I am removing?