Is 12v electrical garden lighting subject to the same regulations as 240v?

[Striick]

My dad wants to know if a 12v electrical garden lighting system (incorporating 5-10watt bulbs) would be subject to the same UK regulations as a 240v system, does he need a qualified electrician to set it up properly or is it something he can do safely and easily himself?

 

[SimpleSimon]

It is subject to the same. Tell your Dad if he's not confident it can be done safely following regulations of BS7671 than yes he should get someone in.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Not sure if he could do it safely or easily but for technical reasons if you don't have a 230 volt supply involved with the system then there is no need to notify this to a building authority.

If like the majority of ELV systems there is normally a 230volt mains supply to a transformer and then the 12volt system is supplied by a transformer, as it is in the garden it would have to be notified to the local building control.

I suppose in theory if the transformer was plugged into a socket in a front room , and only the 12 volt system was in the garden you may not have to.

The best people to ask would be your local building control and ask them what they advise

 

[rryles]

"Garden Lighting or Power Installations" are a special installation for the purposes of Part P, so must be notified to building control.

 

[malcolmsanford]

And if he decided that it was impossible to get a supply to the lights and decided to use a car battery would you still notify...................

 

[rryles]

Depends:

If there was no fixed wiring, then no.
If there was fixed wiring, probably, but it is a grey area.

 

[telectrix]

And if he decided that it was impossible to get a supply to the lights and decided to use a car battery would you still notify...................

now we're getting into the stage of calling in a qualified auto electrician. must be registered with a part grease monkey scheme and notify to Traffic Control

 

[malcolmsanford]

Haven't you found that stat yet.

 

[rryles]

There are situations where 12V lighting needs notifying, but 230V lighting would not.

 

[malcolmsanford]

There are situations where 12V lighting needs notifying, but 230V lighting would not.

agreed

 

[telectrix]

Haven't you found that stat yet.

still trying. al i seem to find is contactor overloads and single pole thingies that fit tumble dryers

 

[pushrod]

If it is a preassembled plug in kit there is no notification.

 

[jaresquire]

As I can't be a***d to read Part P tonight and out of interest, what would those situations be?

 

[jaresquire]

Ok I can be a***d, modular armoured cabling garden lighting not notifiable, fairy nuff!

 

[rryles]

Ok I can be a***d, modular armoured cabling garden lighting not notifiable, fairy nuff!

All garden lightning except self contained/powered is notifiable because it is a part p special location.