Outdoor cabling?

[CaptainJack88]

I've got an outdoor socket and a cable outside ready for outdoor lighting. I've been told to use armoured cable for outdoor work.

Would 1.5mm for lighting and 2.5mm for a water feature (going to a plug) be sufficient?
Also, are there any regulations for laying it? It'll be going under my decking, so can I lay it on top of the weed barrier under the joists, or do I need to dig it into the ground?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

SWA cable is not suitable to terminate a plug on to, or did you mean a socket outlet?
It is likely that in both cases 1.5mm CSA would satisfy the demand.
With regards to installing external cable, there are very many regulations to consider, although some are very vague.

 

[ericmark]

I would have thought 1.5 mm² is enough for both lights and pond unless a very long distance. Use common sense, if it is unlikely to get damaged or flexed then it is OK.

Any installation has to be designed, one has to consider volt drop, and loop impedance, will it cause the RCD to trip? will the pump start etc. If you have 10 acres of woodland this is a major undertaking also considering tree roots but with a small garden not really a problem. On a forum we only know what you tell us, so it seems OK but we can't see it.

 

[MysticalGandy]

If you are concerned why not run a cable through some PCV water pipe? the bury it... thats what i did in our garden.

 

[EFLImpudence]

...because that wouldn't stop him being concerned.

He'd only do that if he didn't care.

 

[sparkwright]

Personally I would use 2.5 mm2 for the socket cable.

I wouldn't use 1.5 mm2 for any other type of 13 amp socket, so why this one?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Personally I would use 2.5 mm2 for the socket cable.

Ok.

I wouldn't use 1.5 mm2 for any other type of 13 amp socket,

...but you could. Even Appendix 15 shows it.

so why this one?

Why not?

 

[Steve]

If you are concerned why not run a cable through some PCV water pipe? the bury it... thats what i did in our garden.

Just because you did it in your garden, doesn't mean its correct. In fact it sounds like a completely dangerous lash up. Please don't come here advising others to do the same.

 

[OwainDIYer]

If you are concerned why not run a cable through some PCV water pipe?

Because somebody in future may turn off the water, cut into the water pipe, and be killed.