Outdoor cable

[luke harding]

I need to run a temporary socket outside for Christmas lights. I need to run the cable about 20m and so was intending to use standard 2.5mm 3 core. The plug will be plugged inside the house, and I was then going to put the socket in a wall mounted IP65 case outside. Will this be ok or do I need to use a different type of cable outside?

 

[Taylortwocities]

What do you call "standard" 2.5mm 3-core cable?

 

[luke harding]

What do you call "standard" 2.5mm 3-core cable?

Standard electrical cable. I’ve got leftover Prysman 2.5mm so was thinking of using that.

 

[sparkwright]

Do you mean 2.5mm2 3 core 'round' flex?

Or 2.5mm2 2 core+bare earth 'flat' cable?

Or something else?

 

[luke harding]

Do you mean 2.5mm2 3 core 'round' flex?

Or 2.5mm2 2 core+bare earth 'flat' cable?

Or something else?

Hia.....Basically this is what I have leftover;

https://www.screwfix.com/p/prysmian-6242y-twin-earth-cable-2-5mm-x-50m-grey/83956

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

So no. You would need rubber flex. There is no way to terminate what you have into a 13A plug.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Go and buy a 25m extension cable. They cheap as chips.

 

[luke harding]

Go and buy a 25m extension cable. They cheap as chips.

I'm confused by your comment and @DetlefScmitz; If I buy this -

https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-hdct4513bq-4-xd-13a-4-gang-45m-cable-reel-240v/47295

I'll still need to cut off the 4 way reel to connect into the IP65 junction box. Is that a better solution then (and 'terminated' correctly) than just running the Prysman cable?

Thanks

 

[conny]

Depending on how far away from the house the lights will be, buy a suitably long extension lead but not on a drum, just a flat bar type. Cut the plug off, drill a hole through your wall/window frame and fit a new plug with the correct rated fuse for all your lights.
In the garden put the socket end into a Dri-Box; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dri-Box-FL...ie=UTF8&qid=1543777797&sr=8-1&keywords=dribox then plug your lights into this.

Afterwards you can remove it and seal the hole with silicone.

 

[Taylortwocities]

It’s only Xmas lights, 2.5mm is not necessary.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Is that a better solution then (and 'terminated' correctly) than just running the Prysman cable?

Yes, because you cannot properly terminate twin and earth into a BS 1363 plug.

So no. You would need rubber flex. There is no way to terminate what you have into a 13A plug.

Nor can you necessarily terminate any 2.5mm² cable as plugs are not required to have terminals that big.