External Wall Lights, Cable Runs & Safe Zones

[andyh]

There is probably an obvious answer to this but I can't find it!!

In middle of a new build first fix. We have quite a few outside lights on the external walls. These will be run on a separate circuit, on RCBO, from the CU. Question is how do you meet the requirement for the cable run to be in the safe zone were it enters the house from the external fitting? The cable may enter the inside more than 150mm from a wall junction, ceiling or floor i.e. outside the safe zone. There is no accessory on the inside wall to create a horizontal or vertical safe zone so how to you route the cable safely to the ceiling void for routing back to the CU?

This is probably really obvious but I can't find the answer!!

Thanks in advance.

 

[JulianC]

Can you drill through the wall up or down at a steep enough angle to hit the safe zone?

 

[andyh]

Can you drill through the wall up or down at a steep enough angle to hit the safe zone?

Yes I probably could as the lights will be reasonably high up the wall.

However this must cause problems if you had low level outside lights. Is this the only solution apart from using SWA cable which would be costly for the entire run.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[trebor]

One way would be to use a screened earthed cable such as fp gold and then install a joint box at an accessible position to change to pvc.

The safe zone is only one method of complying with regulation 522.6.6

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Or fit a flush box and blank plate behind the light....or if new build install a socket outlet directly below the drop to the outside light,which is now in line with an accessory.

 

[joe_berks]

i think if its on an RCBO you don't neccessarily have to run it in a safe zone. try and come in to the building from the fitting so that you utilize the safe zone of another accessory i.e a socket, that way you are double sure mate.

just realised thats pretty much what wire puller is saying.

 

[Guest123]

Chase some earthed metallic conduit into the wall for the drops to the lights, or another form of mechanical protection, if it isn't possible to keep it in a safe zone.

As Trebor said there's more than one way to skin a cat.

 

[andyh]

Thanks for all the helpful replies, really appreciated.

I think using a socket on the inside to create a safe zone is the easiest and best method for my situation. I hadn't thought of using the safe zone from another fitting to run the outside runs.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[martysparky]

Can you drill through the wall up or down at a steep enough angle to hit the safe zone?

Is it really a good option to drill down into a building from the outside?