Using outdoor socket permanently?

[dk1uk]

Hi, I have a outdoor socket which was installed by my house builder.

I’m looking to install an outdoor security light.

Maybe a silly question, but is it OK to use that socket permanently to plug/power the security light? It would save me from having run a separate feed from somewhere.

Thanks.

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

Well, it's terribly naff, and also wouldn't be much of a security light if you could just unplug it.

 

[AndyPRK]

at long is its an MK one (or similar) which seals shut when a plug is in there.

 

[dk1uk]

Well, it's terribly naff, and also wouldn't be much of a security light if you could just unplug it.

Hah good point. Though the socket is round the side of the house behind a locked gate and the light would be at the front, so I’d need to run some lengthy cable.

 

[dk1uk]

at long is its an MK one (or similar) which seals shut when a plug is in there.

Thanks yes it’s one of those - thanks.

 

[chivers67]

You could install an External FCU next to it and run a spur off it?

 

[Tigercubrider]

Presumably the socket is accessible from the ground?
So an intruder could just unplug the light?
Doesn't sound very secure

 

[winston1]

You could install an External FCU next to it and run a spur off it?

He could, provided the socket is not already a spur off the ring final.

 

[dk1uk]

Hi again, the socket is behind a locked gate and mostly we want light there as the bin/recycling boxes are there (and it’s pitch round the side of the house).

As long as there’s nothing wrong with plugging the light into the socket permanatly then I’m happy. My only worry is that I did once come across a plug that had been left in a socket so long that I couldn’t pull it out again!

So I’m planning on buying this light https://ksrlighting.com/View/5613/tulua-iii-2x-5w-3000k-led-up-down-wall-light-with-pir-sensor and literally sticking a plug on it. Is that OK?

And in terms of cable, 3 core 1mm in black (I gather black in better outdoors)?

The cable will be run along the house wall tucked under a small ledge in the render of the wall about 6 inches from the ground. Fixed into place with clips. Should it be protected in some conduit?

Many thanks.

 

[winston1]

Why an up down light? No need to light the sky after all.

 

[dk1uk]

Why an up down light? No need to light the sky after all.

Just to match the other outside lights on my house and the others on the development.

 

[dk1uk]

He could, provided the socket is not already a spur off the ring final.

How would I be able to tell this? It’s a new build house so the outdoor socket was installed by the developer. It’s on the external wall to the living room, adjacent to a socket in the living room itself.

 

[dk1uk]

Hmm, I haven’t checked but since the outdoor socket is adjacent to the indoor socket, the outdoor socket is probably already on a spur. I’ll double check. It’s not allowed to have two spurs off one socket is it?

If not, then I guess I’ll have to just plug the light into the outdoor socket.

 

[rsgaz]

You can have two spurs off one socket, yes.

But, there's surely a better way of getting a cable to the outside lamp?

If you know which way your joists run and the height of the lamp outside happens to match where the joists are, you may be able to just drill in from outside and get a cable to the nearest ceiling rose without even having to lift any floorboards. You wouldn't have a switch for it then though.

Are there not any sockets inside a lot nearer to where the outside lamp is going? You could intercept the cables which go to a socket and fit an FCU above it at light switch height, by adding this FCU to the ring. Or even better, if there are any light switches nearby that are 'looped in at the switch', then run the cable from there instead.

 

[dk1uk]

You can have two spurs off one socket, yes.

But, there's surely a better way of getting a cable to the outside lamp?

If you know which way your joists run and the height of the lamp outside happens to match where the joists are, you may be able to just drill in from outside and get a cable to the nearest ceiling rose without even having to lift any floorboards. You wouldn't have a switch for it then though.

Are there not any sockets inside a lot nearer to where the outside lamp is going? You could intercept the cables which go to a socket and fit an FCU above it at light switch height, by adding this FCU to the ring. Or even better, if there are any light switches nearby that are 'looped in at the switch', then run the cable from there instead.

Thanks. If I can add two spurs to one socket, this would save me having to drill a hole.

In a previous post I mentioned about a lengthy cable run but I’m changing the outdoor lamp position so now only looking at about 5m of cable.

Thanks for the help!