Fluorescent light wiring

[Dazzatay]

Good morning all, I would like to get some advice on setting up a fluorescent light for portable use. I have bought a light fitting from a supplier but it comes with no wiring for power. I'm assuming it is that way so you can wire it up to your current house wiring etc.
Anyways, i would like to use it as a portable light for my garage, market stall etc. It is a weatherproof one so ok on that front. I have read a lot of posts, some old and some new on a similar topic so at the moment my understanding is that i need to put on a 3 amp plug and obviously a wire to go in the middle! The wire part has me a little confused. Some sites are saying put on a Twin and Earth cable of 1.5mm, some say same cable but 1.0mm and some say put on a 3 core flex. My understanding is that for lighting a T&E cable is sufficient but which one is better?
Cheers in advance for steering me in the right direction!

 

[Darkwood]

Welcome to the forum Dazzatay, I have approved your post into the general forum for speed of response although when admin' is next online you may be given DIY status and the thread relocated.. cheers.

 

[LankyWill]

For a portable application i would suggest staying away from T+E as the insulations is not as tuff as flex. I would use either a heat resistance 1.5mm flex 3-core of course or i have heard of a flex called 'tuffs flex'(i think) which can also be used. Just make sure you use a 3A fuse. Use a cable grip in the fitting or a compression gland to help avoid stress on connections.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Twin & earth cable is not suitable for portable items, it is designed for fixed wiring only, as the solid copper conductors cannot withstand being flexed and will soon break. A tough rubber flex e.g. 'H07' or artic grade PVC flex is preferred for outdoor use, as these will withstand a wide range of conditions. If it is being fitted with a 13A plug, the actual size of the flex is not very critical as the light uses only a small amount of current. However, larger sizes of flex are generally more robust and I would probably opt for 1.0mm² or larger. The cable must be correctly anchored at the entry point, e.g. with a compression gland that has adequate mechanical retention.

 

[Midwest]

Not sure that a fluorescent fitting than has been designed to be installed in a property (i.e. fixed to a surface), is going to be robust enough to be used as a portable light. The internal components and wiring have not been designed to be knocked around. You may wished to reconsider your idea, and perhaps consider purchasing something designed for that purpose.

 

[Dazzatay]

Thanks all for your comments and advice. Much appreciated!

 

[Pete999]

Good morning all, I would like to get some advice on setting up a fluorescent light for portable use. I have bought a light fitting from a supplier but it comes with no wiring for power. I'm assuming it is that way so you can wire it up to your current house wiring etc.
Anyways, i would like to use it as a portable light for my garage, market stall etc. It is a weatherproof one so ok on that front. I have read a lot of posts, some old and some new on a similar topic so at the moment my understanding is that i need to put on a 3 amp plug and obviously a wire to go in the middle! The wire part has me a little confused. Some sites are saying put on a Twin and Earth cable of 1.5mm, some say same cable but 1.0mm and some say put on a 3 core flex. My understanding is that for lighting a T&E cable is sufficient but which one is better?
Cheers in advance for steering me in the right direction!

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=p...XJtRoKHYqaCc0QsAQIQQ&biw=1708&bih=755&dpr=0.8

 

[uksparks]

I know of an LED batten tha literally has nothing in it apar from LEDs, very small profile, might be more suitable possibly.