Outdoor lighting circuit.

[m900349]

Hi all,

Hope you're all keeping well.

We're embarking on some building work on the house shortly, and we're getting a lot of the garden landscaped. I'm a keen DIY'er and would like to get involved in the build as much as possible. Being a cable enthusiast and having done internal electrics myself (extended ring main, replaced plugs, assisted with new consumer unit, installed 400m of CAT6) I'm keen to give the outdoor electrics a go for the outdoor lighting.

The reason I'm posting, is that I do not have a clue where to start when it comes to laying high and low voltage cable outside (okay, I get some bits will have to be armored) - but I'd like some advice on what cables I need to lay in order for the electrician to "connect them up". How I can connect them into the garage (where they will be powered from) - and how I can make them be switched on/off by an internal switch inside the property.

I've attached the plan I'm having created, however can someone please let me know what type of cables I need to run throughout the garden.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks, John.

 

[winston1]

First you need to understand what high and low voltage are.

Mains is low voltage.
12 volt is extra low voltage.
You won't be using high voltage.

 

[m900349]

Ah okay - sorry, I thought 240v was high voltage

It will be a mix of 12v and 240v - I have done further Googling, and in looks like I should be digging a 2' trench with SWA for all - regardless of 12v/240v - is this correct? Also, do I need to place it in ducting, or is SWA sunk deep enough acceptable? Also, what size of core do I need (1.5mm or 2.5mm)?

 

[JohnW2]

It will be a mix of 12v and 240v - I have done further Googling, and in looks like I should be digging a 2' trench with SWA for all - regardless of 12v/240v ...

How long will these cable runs be, and what is thye 12V going to be supplying? Unless they are short cable runs and/or you use enormous cable, you could well run into problems of voltage drop in the 12V circuits.

Kind Regards, John

 

[m900349]

They are for outdoor LED lighting. The maximum single run will be 10 meters. The 240v run will be for the gate post lighting which is not LED.