Wiring an additional outdoor light?

[Hammer2001]

I have an existing low brightness light fitted outside my house to light the patio, which is wired to a single switch directly behind on the inside of the wall in the lounge.

I would like to add a second PIR security light, to light the whole of the garden when necessary but still keep the existing light for when a bright isn't wanted.
I'd like them both to be switched.

Would this be a simple job? Could you give a rough cost what an electrician should charge to fit this if I supplied the PIR light?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I would like to add a second PIR security light, to light the whole of the garden when necessary but still keep the existing light for when a bright isn't wanted.

Why a PIR one? Surely "to light the whole of the garden when necessary" means you'd want the light to be switched on when necessary, and left on, not to rely on people having to caper about to keep it on?

Lighting around the garden would be much better anyway - a whole garden lit up by a single powerful floodlight on the wall of a house is an unpleasant place to be.

I'd like them both to be switched.

Separately, or would it be OK for the garden light(s) to only be able to be turned on if the patio lights are on?

Switched from inside the house, or outside?

Would this be a simple job?

Probably.

But never underestimate the ability of the daft to have wired it in a way which doesn't make changes easy.

Could you give a rough cost what an electrician should charge to fit this if I supplied the PIR light?

Get some to come along and look at the job, and give you quotes.

And have them recommend and supply the light if you want a warranty.

 

[Hammer2001]

Why a PIR one? Surely "to light the whole of the garden when necessary" means you'd want the light to be switched on when necessary, and left on, not to rely on people having to caper about to keep it on?

Lighting around the garden would be much better anyway - a whole garden lit up by a single powerful floodlight on the wall of a house is an unpleasant place to be.

It will mainly be as a security light to come on if an intruder entered the garden.

But on occasion it may be useful to leave on permanently, so it would be good to have that option.

Separately, or would it be OK for the garden light(s) to only be able to be turned on if the patio lights are on?

Switched from inside the house, or outside?

Ideally switched from inside the house, off the existing light switch that controls for the other existing light.
But it would be good to be able to switch each light off separately.

 

[Iggifer]

Without additional cabling, you're likely limited to the new light being switched with the old one, therefore if you leave it on - to allow the security light to function, the other light will be on.

You'll need to have a look behind your switch and in the existing fitting to see what cabling you have.

One cable at the outside light (which is likely) means the scenario I posted. 2 or 3 (with a set of reds/brown separate) may mean you can have a PIR light with no switch without any internal wiring

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It will mainly be as a security light to come on if an intruder entered the garden.

That's very thoughtful of you.

 

[Hammer2001]

That's very thoughtful of you.

Ha ha! You know what I mean!

Thanks lggifer. I'll check it out. But I suspect you are right, it will probably be only one cable.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Ha ha! You know what I mean!

I know that you mean that you want to make it easy for intruders to see what they are doing.

I'm guessing that you don't realise that, though.

 

[Hammer2001]

I know that you mean that you want to make it easy for intruders to see what they are doing.

I'm guessing that you don't realise that, though.

No....its to light them up nicely for my cctv camera!

 

[Iggifer]

No....its to light them up nicely for my cctv camera!

Get an infrared floodlight then!