Wiring external security lights

[the2ems]

Hi
I need to install some security light to my daughters house and need advice on the wiring. My idea is to run an external quality 1mm rubber covered cable from an internal 13amp socket, (protected by an RCD plug) through a hole in the wall, going to the light furthest away from the plug, about 7mtr. This first light would be 150w PIR controlled. (the PIR is part of the light fitting, not stand alone). I then want to fit one or two 400w PIR lights somewhere along the cable. I was thinking of fitting external junction boxes rated IP66, one for each of the 400w lights. These would be connected to the original cable. Then I would run a short length of the same cable from each junction box, to each of the 400w lights.
I would be very grateful if someone could tell me if this would be the correct way of wiring.
Thanks

 

[wingcoax]

Nothing wrong with the way of wiring BUT This work is notifiable. Also you can't have 400w lamps in normal circumstances, you dont live in the countryside do you?

 

[1john]

You want to ensure that the PIR on the fitting has the correct switching capacity for your application.

You can get 80W halogen lamps to fit in 150W fittings and they are very very bright. you can also get CFL lamps to fit 500W fittings, although they will need to be suitable for PIR switching, although at 26W each, you might aw well have them on a photocell and leave them on all night from dusk till dawn and they will still use less eleccy than the fittings you have proposed.

 

[the2ems]

Nothing wrong with the way of wiring BUT This work is notifiable. Also you can't have 400w lamps in normal circumstances, you dont live in the countryside do you?

Thanks for the reply. How and who do I need to notify? I wasn't aware there was any reason not to have 400w lamps, they sell them quite cheaply in B&Q, Screwfix, Wickes.
The house in in Cardiff Bay.

 

[1john]

You need to inform Cardiff council, the work has to be compliant with part P of the building regulations.

 

[the2ems]

You want to ensure that the PIR on the fitting has the correct switching capacity for your application.

You can get 80W halogen lamps to fit in 150W fittings and they are very very bright. you can also get CFL lamps to fit 500W fittings, although they will need to be suitable for PIR switching, although at 26W each, you might aw well have them on a photocell and leave them on all night from dusk till dawn and they will still use less eleccy than the fittings you have proposed.

Hi, thanks for the reply

Please could you clarify: You want to ensure that the PIR on the fitting has the correct switching capacity for your application.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I wasn't aware there was any reason not to have 400w lamps, they sell them quite cheaply in B&Q, Screwfix, Wickes.

They also sell bricks, timber, windows, roofing tiles, sand, cement, consumer units, cables and wiring accessories, gas boilers, radiators, WCs, pipes....

Everything, in fact, that you'd need to build an entire house, so just because they sell something that doesn't mean that using it isn't notifiable

Also, have a read of these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_lighting

http://www.dark-sky-lighting.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=67009

http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/crime.html

http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/floodlights.html

http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/cleanact.html

 

[1john]

PIR's have a switching capacity, which must not be exceeded, some PIR's will only have the ability to switch on the load they were designed to switch on, some can switch upto 1000W, some upto 2000W some upto 3000W.

It could be that your cheap light will only be able to turn it's self on (oo-er). General rule of thumb that I have come across is that if it can switch more then it will be clearly and boldly stated.

950W of lighting around the perimiter of a house seems excessive and although these fittings will be cheap the running costs will not.

switching to 80W lamps will use approx 25% of the current plan, CFL's will use less than a 10%

 

[the2ems]

I wasn't aware there was any reason not to have 400w lamps, they sell them quite cheaply in B&Q, Screwfix, Wickes.

They also sell bricks, timber, windows, roofing tiles, sand, cement, consumer units, cables and wiring accessories, gas boilers, radiators, WCs, pipes....

Everything, in fact, that you'd need to build an entire house, so just because they sell something that doesn't mean that using it isn't notifiable

Also, have a read of these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_lighting

http://www.dark-sky-lighting.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=67009

http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/crime.html

http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/floodlights.html

http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/cleanact.html[/QUOTE]

Point taken!

 

[the2ems]

PIR's have a switching capacity, which must not be exceeded, some PIR's will only have the ability to switch on the load they were designed to switch on, some can switch upto 1000W, some upto 2000W some upto 3000W.

It could be that your cheap light will only be able to turn it's self on (oo-er). General rule of thumb that I have come across is that if it can switch more then it will be clearly and boldly stated.

Not sure I understand this. I was intending to buy lights with integral PIR's, so each unit would only need to "turn it's self on"

 

[wingcoax]

That would be ok. But you still need to inform your local building control office of the work and pay them lots of money(around£150) Probably cheaper to get a local electrician in who can notify and certify.