Patio lighting wiring

[mangroa]

Planning a new patio at the moment and would like to include some walkover led lights. May also have some lights in the flowerbed walling to light a step.

Current plan is to get an electrician to install a weatherproof socket with a box to house the 12v transformer.
My query is how do I run the wires under the patio to each light? Are there rules for this? Should I bury then a certain dept in conduit? I assume I am allowed to do this as they are only 12v lights.
The patio slabs will be mortared down so lifting them in the future will be difficult.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Alan

 

[Chivers7]

Since its extra low voltage and the wiring will no doubt be protected by the slabs and mortar it won't be critical. Best place it in conduit and perhaps include a draw string/rope for future maintenance.

I'd bury it ten inches and run one circuit to each light from the power source though this will depend on what lights you're thinking of purchasing.
You can get an MK external socket with a built in RCD if you like for extra safety.

 

[sm1thson]

You can get an MK external socket with a built in RCD if you like for extra safety

-it has been stated that an electrician will be putting in the outside socket so i doubt he will break such an obvious regulation as to not have it rcd protected. if it is rcd protected upstream then a second RCD will not make it safer, just an inconvenience and extra expense.

my personal view is outside circuits should be on their own rcd so when it trips it doesn't take the other sockets in the house with it -but its often a lot easier and cheaper to not do it like that, in which case i personally would have a double pole isolator inside so the outside socket can be isolated if it does get water in it.