Thank you, I appreciate the help especially given the wrong terminology. I am planning to change my CU in the near future and have a seperate circuit for the outside lights, but in the meantime, could I go for an RCD protected fused spur (like this one: https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-900-series-13a-unswitched-passive-fused-spur-white/8250p) instead of the 20A DP Switch? Initially I will have 6 5w led bulbs connected and then in a couple of months I'll have the wiring switched over to a dedicated circuit when my new CU is installed, however at the present my downstairs lighting circuit is the only one that is not on an RCD
Outdoor lighting
- Thread starter Sard
- Start date
Thank you, I appreciate the help especially given the wrong terminology. I am planning to change my CU in the near future and have a seperate circuit for the outside lights, but in the meantime, could I go for an RCD protected fused spur (like this one: https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-900-series-13a-unswitched-passive-fused-spur-white/8250p) instead of the 20A DP Switch? Initially I will have 6 5w led bulbs connected and then in a couple of months I'll have the wiring switched over to a dedicated circuit when my new CU is installed, however at the present my downstairs lighting circuit is the only one that is not on an RCD
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Yes, you could - although recently some people have discovered that they are not supposed to be on circuits that are not already on an RCD, but I have no idea why - better than nothing, I suppose.
That's odd - the only one - are you sure?
Apologies, I responded before I had a chance to look at my notes again. The downstairs lighting and smoke detectors are not RCD protected, but everything else appears to be. I've attached a photo of my CU with the labels.
Lastly.... Would it be appropriate to use normal 1mm2 or 1.5mm2 T&E cable for the external wall lights?
For the decking lights, I will check back here first but will most likely consider SWA cable or placing the wires inside electrical conduits or both.
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1mm is ok, however T&E isn't recommended for outdoor use as the UV light can degrade it over decades
therefore it should be in conduit or use NYY cable
therefore it should be in conduit or use NYY cable
Thanks Andy. Would it matter if the cable goes straight from the wall into the light fitting? I had an electrician fit a similar light out in the front and he used TE cable. I'm happy to go with NYY cable but just checking whether my front light could be an issue
Mk do one in there Logic range, alternatively use Grid switch if you want a fancy finish and plate
https://www.gil-lec.co.uk/mk-logic-k4876-light-switch-1-gang-1-way-double-pole
Thank you. I managed to find one from varilight that matches my other dimmer switches/faceplates
Could I get another bit of advice on this please?
I've had some thoughts on how I'd like to light the front, side and rear of the house and have revised the wiring layout for the new RCD protected circuit, but I would be grateful if someone could cast their eye over this (see attached), particularly for the garden clusters. Is it is feasible to run 3 cables from the DP switch down to each cluster in the garden or should I consider a different method?
All light fittings will have a max 5W LED bulb (or 3W if possible), and the number of lights per cluster will range between 6-14 lights. My aim is not to create masses of light, but illuminate selective features and have a remote dimmer to control light output.
I've had some thoughts on how I'd like to light the front, side and rear of the house and have revised the wiring layout for the new RCD protected circuit, but I would be grateful if someone could cast their eye over this (see attached), particularly for the garden clusters. Is it is feasible to run 3 cables from the DP switch down to each cluster in the garden or should I consider a different method?
All light fittings will have a max 5W LED bulb (or 3W if possible), and the number of lights per cluster will range between 6-14 lights. My aim is not to create masses of light, but illuminate selective features and have a remote dimmer to control light output.
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bump
It doesn't even have to be a nice one, if it can be fitted out of sight somewhere.
Thanks. I'm all sorted on the DP switch front. Varilight do a matching one for my dimmers.
I'm would really appreciate some feedback on the my previous post above.
All of that looks absolutely fine, but I'm sure someone will step up to point out that the JB's will have to be 'accessible'.
Maybe not - his drawing indicates Maintenance Free JBs.
Right, just spotted the 'MF'.
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