Outdoor lights/patio

[chriselevate]

I've got an electrician coming round in the next few days I wondered if I could get some input from here so I have an idea of what is possible etc.

Basically, I'm having my patio redone and it's already had 2 skips taken out in order to drop the level down 150mm below my DPC. The build has asked if I want any ducts running for any electrics. The only thing I can think of is I might want a few outdoor lights around the edge.

As you can see from the photos I have two wall mounted outside lights currently. The indoor switch is roughly behind the one on the left. Would it be possible to make use of this switch (possibly turn it into a double switch) and use the lighting feed to run out into the garden?



You'll also notice that I have an outdoor socket too so I don't know if this will influence your comments.

All of this was fitted by the previous owners by the way.

Thanks for any help/suggestions you can give me.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The problem is that it's your patio and your lifestyle, so if you don't know how you'll want to light it then I'm not sure how strangers can advise you on where to run underground cables...

 

[chriselevate]

I was merely asking what the possibilities are based on what I've got already.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The possibilities are whatever you want.

I'm not trying to be obtuse, but either I'm missing something, or you're missing the point that you can put whatever lighting you want out there, on walls, in the ground, high up, low down, gently decorative, bright and functional, shining up or down or both or all round.

But it'll be tricky to have an electrician install buried cables, or ducts ready to take them, if you don't know what you want where.

Forget the existing lights, switches, sockets.

Decide how you want to light the space.

 

[chriselevate]

Thanks. I was just thinking that I don't want conduit running up my outside wall in order achieve this. I would have thought that there would have been limitations on being able to run cables into wall that are already built etc. From what you're saying, everything option is possible e.g lighting you want out there, on walls, in the ground, high up, low down, gently decorative, bright and functional, shining up or down or both or all round.

And have this driven from a light switch inside the house wherever we want it.

Thanks.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I was just thinking that I don't want conduit running up my outside wall in order achieve this.

Fair enough.

But the only way to avoid having anything at all on the outside wall will be to take the cables from the house to under the patio through a hole in the wall below the level of the patio.

A short run of conduit or cable dropping down from the bottom of the socket may be more realistic.

 

[chriselevate]

Ahh... so there are limitations? I thought "The possibilities are whatever you want" and I could "Forget the existing lights, switches, sockets."
I'm not trying to be obtuse, just trying to work out what is physically possible so I can weigh up the "need" for having outside lights in certain places against the conduit runs/costs for the job.

So.... if I'm wanting to use my inside light switch (location is roughly behind the left hand wall light) the feed would need to go down the wall? Inside or outside the property? Down to a duct running under the patio and off to the ground level lights etc. Is this what would need to be done?

 

[Taylortwocities]

There are numerous limitations, but they can only be determined by inspection on site, together with knowing exactly what it is that you want.
For instance, in the above you have asked

As you can see from the photos I have two wall mounted outside lights currently. The indoor switch is roughly behind the one on the left. Would it be possible to make use of this switch (possibly turn it into a double switch) and use the lighting feed to run out into the garden

The answer is
It depends on how the lighting circuit has been wired. If the switch includes the neutral conductor then yes you can. If not then you cannot.
Can I tell from here, no.

 

[chriselevate]

Yes, it contains the neutral conductor.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes, it contains the neutral conductor.

How can you tell?
Is it a black or blue wire connected to the switch itself?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Ahh... so there are limitations?

No.

But there are practicalities to consider. The amount of work (and therefore cost) of having the cable exit the house already underground compared to coming out via the existing socket might be such that you discount the former and go with the latter.

I thought "The possibilities are whatever you want"

They are.

Within the context of lighting or more sockets etc for your garden, you can have whatever you want.

and I could "Forget the existing lights, switches, sockets."

You can.

So.... if I'm wanting to use my inside light switch (location is roughly behind the left hand wall light) the feed would need to go down the wall? Inside or outside the property?

Inside is a lot easier to make good.

 

[chriselevate]

How can you tell?
Is it a black or blue wire connected to the switch itself?

 

[chriselevate]

Sorry you're loosing me ban-all-shed.

I think you're saying a couple of possibilities are...
1. Use the outside weather proof socket to feed off.
2. Use the inside light switch to feed off.

And you're saying the 2nd option would require getting a cable down into a duct below the patio. It would be easier to rip off the plasterboard and drill from inside to out to get the cable hidden and this is easier than going at it from the outside?

 

[Taylortwocities]

You are lucky. The circuit is looped-in at the switch. So you have a possible supply for lighting at the existing switch.

 

[chriselevate]

Perfect, I thought it looked good from the other day when I looked but thought a picture would help you to confirm this.

Bearing this in mind, how tricky would it be to add two more lights on the walls at the back of the house where I've marked in yellow on this photo?



Is it a case of lifting the roof tiles etc? Is the wiring that I showed in the previous picture for the electrician to pick up the feed from the last light and continue onto the two new ones?

Thanks