External Uplighters

[mark_]

Hi there,

I am pricing a few jobs which include external uplighters, mounted into paving slabs. Its been a while since I installed any and to be honest I cant stand the things as they always seem to leak. On previous jobs Ive tried looping in and out with SWA which is really awkward as the swa wont bend when you push the fitting back into the hole. Also most of these lights seem to anticipate a flexible cable. I would have though flex installed under ground wouldnt be too clever, as it offers no mechanical protection but if I am open to suggestions. If anyone could provide any words of wisdom as how they successfully install these and the methods used I would be very greatful. Also if you know of a decent make and model that would be helpful.

Thanks

Mark

 

[Outspoken]

Hi Mark, in the past we used SWA in a ring (not complete ring of course) and at each lighting point we terminated into a steel adpatable box, this was over-painted inside and out with Red Oxide and then a further coat of galvofroid after we drilled the holes we needed.

Inside the boxes we mounted a DIN rail for terminations and then used HO7 3 core via a brass weather seal stuffing gland to feed the fitting, we also used brass weather sealed stuffing glands on these too.

The adaptable box was sealed with a rubber gasket but we ran some clear silicone around the lip and the inner edge of the lid first. We changed the supplied screws for stainless steel. The box had a layer of sand on top for the slab and we simply laid a warning notice under the slab that we made ourselves and laminated.

Never had an issue with the lights.

 

[Engineer54]

Hi Mark, in the past we used SWA in a ring (not complete ring of course) and at each lighting point we terminated into a steel adpatable box, this was over-painted inside and out with Red Oxide and then a further coat of galvofroid after we drilled the holes we needed.

Inside the boxes we mounted a DIN rail for terminations and then used HO7 3 core via a brass weather seal stuffing gland to feed the fitting, we also used brass weather sealed stuffing glands on these too.

The adaptable box was sealed with a rubber gasket but we ran some clear silicone around the lip and the inner edge of the lid first. We changed the supplied screws for stainless steel. The box had a layer of sand on top for the slab and we simply laid a warning notice under the slab that we made ourselves and laminated.

Never had an issue with the lights.

The made for purpose IP67 Whisker (not sure that's the correct spelling) boxes will do the same thing, ...just a bit more expensive, ....let me rephrase that, ...a lot more expensive!! lol!!

 

[Outspoken]

E54, that was why we didn't use them!!

 

[CSP2012]

Can you not go to galv tee box? Keeps earthing of armourings going without much hassle. No lock rings to play with. When terminated, fill box with the liquid/jelly stuff and when set can be buried. Compression gland and small run of flex out...?

 

[keniff]

Whiska box and fill with magic gel would be my weapon of choice

 

[mark_]

Thanks for your responses. Im not really a fan of burying joints and slabbing over the top but there doesnt seem much of a choice in this repect. I thought about taking a single 3c swa for each uplight back to a central wall mounted joint as atleast you can get to that later. Anyway much to think about, thanks again