Fitting outside lights

[Doug789654]

Hi All,

I would like to fit two external lights. These will be 40w or so bulkhead fittings. How can I get power to them?

I have some a socket on the inside of the wall where they would go underneath the kitchen counter. This circuit is not RCD protected and has a 32A breaker.

From what I have read I can have a spur from the socket to a 30mA RCD. This will then be connected to an external switch and then to the lights (see picture). Is this correct/safe?



I intended to use galvanised conduit to house the cable (mainly for the look). What cabling should I use outside? It will be about 2m to the first light and then a further 2m to the second light.

Thanks in advance.

Doug

 

[mwatsonxx]

RCD's are not required for external lighting, and are not advised due to problems with nuisance tripping due to dampness.
From your sketch, replace the RCD with a 13A fused spur, fused at 3 Amps.
Galvanised conduit requires specialist tools and training to install, you would be better off using cable with weatherproof glands.

 

[Doug789654]

Thanks for the quick reply.

My intention was to use weatherproof glands (and the lights do actually have them already). I was just going to run the cable through the conduit for an industrial look!

Is normal 2.5mm2 T&E OK for use outside? I heard black cable weathers less so I would go for that.

Thanks again.

Doug

 

[stillp]

Is normal 2.5mm2 T&E OK for use outside?

No, it is affected by UV, and if you're using conduit you'll have a tough job pulling T & E through it.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

RCD's are not required for external lighting,

But are required for concealed cables, so he might have no choice.

From your sketch, replace the RCD with a 13A fused spur, fused at 3 Amps.

Not necessarily compliant.

Galvanised conduit requires specialist tools and training to install

I'd hardly call a stock and die set a "specialist tool" - it's just a general engineering one. And if he needs no bends then he doesn't need a bender.

As for "training" - no, just a bit of practising. Even fairly complex bending can be self-taught, but would need more in the way of practice.

 

[mwatsonxx]

But are required for concealed cables, so he might have no choice.



Not necessarily compliant.



I'd hardly call a stock and die set a "specialist tool" - it's just a general engineering one. And if he needs no bends then he doesn't need a bender.

As for "training" - no, just a bit of practising. Even fairly complex bending can be self-taught, but would need more in the way of practice.

Well, with you being smarter than the average sheepdog. Why don't you tell him what to do.

 

[Doug789654]

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies.

Hopefully I can provide a bit more detail to help clarify things...

The existing socket is under the kitchen counter but accessible (for washing machine etc.). I intend to spur from there and surface mount the fuse unit/RCH unit next to it and then go immediatelly through the wall to the outside where I will fit the switch.

I would then like to run cable around an old chimney breast to the wall where the lights will be mounted. That is where I would like to have the galvanised conduit. I would do junctions with Tee boxes.

As far as I would be concerned the cable would be sealed coming out of the switch and then sealed entering the lights - the conduit is just for show...

Would cable such as PRYSMIAN LV ARMOURED 6943X 3-CORE CABLE 1.5MM² X 10M BLACK be appropriate?

Thanks a lot,

Doug

 

[phatboy]

I'd hardly call a stock and die set a "specialist tool" -

Tap and die ?

 

[mwatsonxx]

Unfortunately your post has been hijacked by the obnoxious troll BAS. This means many people who could give you good advice won't bother, including me. sorry, but good bye

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Tap and die ?

I've never encountered a need to cut an internal thread in steel conduit.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Why don't you tell him what to do.

Why don't you stop giving people advice which is unsound.

We know now that there won't be any buried cables, but at the time you told him that he didn't need an RCD you did not know that.

Unfortunately your post has been hijacked by the obnoxious troll BAS.

Please show where I have deliberately written something inflammatory, or off-topic, in order to provoke an argument or to upset someone, or to disrupt the thread. Feel free to remain rational and intelligent when doing so.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The existing socket is under the kitchen counter but accessible (for washing machine etc.). I intend to spur from there and surface mount the fuse unit/RCH unit next to it and then go immediatelly through the wall to the outside where I will fit the switch.

I'd say that you don't need an RCD in that case.

Do you particularly want the switch outside?

I would then like to run cable around an old chimney breast to the wall where the lights will be mounted. That is where I would like to have the galvanised conduit.

You'll still have cable on show outside, though.

I would do junctions with Tee boxes.

Then you'll be needing a stock and die set, a pipe vice and some cutting compound, as you'll need to thread the ends of your sections of conduit. Which really is not a difficult thing to learn how to do.

Would cable such as PRYSMIAN LV ARMOURED 6943X 3-CORE CABLE 1.5MM² X 10M BLACK be appropriate?

Unlikely.

Read this: [wiki]Electrics%3ASWA_gland[/wiki] to see how SWA cable has to be terminated - it's unlikely that your lights would be suitable for 2 glands. Plus that cable has a minimum bending radius of 72mm, which will make going around those corners awkward.

 

[Doug789654]

I'd say that you don't need an RCD in that case.

Do you particularly want the switch outside?

Not really, it's just otherwise the switch would be in quite a random place in the kitchen and wouldn't be immediately obvious what it's for...

Unlikely.

Can you suggest a cable type that would be appropriate for use outside and is able to follow the path of the wall?

I think I might abandon the conduit idea as it seems more hassle than it's worth.

Thanks a lot

Doug

 

[ban-all-sheds]

What would be the risks of mechanical damage to the cable outside?

 

[Doug789654]

What would be the risks of mechanical damage to the cable outside?

Hi.

No risk of mechanical damage really, it will be 1 metre or so above some decking.

The wall is south facing so will have a lot of direct sunlight on it.

Thanks

Doug