Is it ok to put a a normal plug on the end of an external security light?

[Engineer54]

I'm not so sure it would be fully compliant. Just for the Craic, perhaps someone would like to discuss?

The flex is passing through the wall. It therefore becomes part of the fixed wiring installation.

1. Flex is not precluded as fixed wiring cable, but should only be used where rigid cable would be unsuitable, such as across a building's earthquake resistant foundation for example.
2. A flex outlet plate with chord grip and sheath abrasion protection should be used where flex exits a fixed structure.

The fact that the light fitting would be supplied by A 13A plug makes this light fitting a portable (fixed) appliance, and would therefore need to comply with the regulations for portable appliances

1. It would not be possible to remove or fix the appliance without removing the plug. Does this make it non-compliant as an appliance.
2. it would not be possible to conduct a visual portable appliance inspection of the cable as it is buried in the wall. It would therefore fail a PAT test.
3. To be a portable (fixed) appliance, it may be attached to but cannot form part of a building's structure.
4. A new portable appliance must be supplied with a pre-wired plug.

Are you having a ''Brainstorm or something''?? lol!!

 

[BlueToBits]

lol! Just too much time to kill...

 

[Brightspark2]

If it has a plug on the end doesnt mean its portable. The plug is just a way of connecting to a supply...

 

[DPG]

If it has a plug on the end doesnt mean its portable. The plug is just a way of connecting to a supply...

Correct. Fixed appliances can be connected via a plug/socket to the supply. Portable doesn't just mean 'has a plug'. Daz

 

[Darrenc60]

Dont listen to half these ejits on here with there regs get yourself a bit a flex a plug top an a 5A fuse put your light up connect it so you cant see any copper coming out conections clip the cable neatly leavin a drip loop at light an where it goes in the wall stick your plug on put in 5A fuse plug it in an your sorted am a time served 17th edition spark the only diffrence is i dont eat reg books for dinner its 100% safe garenteed

 

[DPG]

Dont listen to half these ejits on here with there regs get yourself a bit a flex a plug top an a 5A fuse put your light up connect it so you cant see any copper coming out conections clip the cable neatly leavin a drip loop at light an where it goes in the wall stick your plug on put in 5A fuse plug it in an your sorted am a time served 17th edition spark the only diffrence is i dont eat reg books for dinner its 100% safe garenteed

Flex - that's exactly what Wirepuller said way back. Daz

 

[BlueToBits]

Correct. Fixed appliances can be connected via a plug/socket to the supply. Portable doesn't just mean 'has a plug'. Daz

So it becomes a fixed appliance and subject to PAT testing and would fail.

The question the OP asked was "Is this OK and within regs?"

 

[DPG]

Deleted by poster

 

[Darrenc60]

Aye cause we all get our houses PAT tested

 

[SirKit Breaker]

as several posts have said. if you want it on a plug, use black 0.75mm flex, and 7mm round black clips, same as used for satallite cable. neat job.

As neat as rough can be......:tongue3:

 

[Guest55]

As neat as rough can be......:tongue3:

hey sirkit !
have you marked my homework yet ?
would hate to have to follow you around trashing your posts cos of some slack arsed tutoring.

;-)

 

[BlueToBits]

Aye cause we all get our houses PAT tested

But that's not the point.

It's one thing for a group of professionals to offer 'free' advice to DIYers, it's another thing to advise a method of installation that would usually be ridiculed as shoddy and non-compliant by the same professionals within the threads of these forums.
To cap it all, most of the people frequenting this forum are, or want to be professional electricians, and here we are, in an industry on it's knees, telling DIYers that the regs don't really matter and its OK to 'bend' the rules if you don't have the skills to do it properly. Is this the example we should be setting to the 100s of electrical apprentices and trainees that read these forums?

Incidentally, many of those who live in rented accommodation with fixed appliances get them PAT tested by their landlord, letting agent or RSLs. Some of us make a living doing these tests.

 

[DPG]

What if we change the scenario just slightly, and we tidy up a length of flex for a table lamp by using a few p-clips screwed to the wall. Right or wrong? Daz

 

[BlueToBits]

What if we change the scenario just slightly, and we tidy up a length of flex for a table lamp by using a few p-clips screwed to the wall. Right or wrong? Daz

The flex is not buried within the fabric of the building. The flex could be unscrewed from the wall for PAT inspection. If the flex was so long it needed P clips to secure it then the socket should be moved closer to the point of utilisation. Who uses screw in P clips to tidy up a table light flex anyhow? In 35 years I don't think I've ever seen it. Is it something you do often? How would your mum remove the lamp to polish the table? Have it dangling by it's flex from the last clip?
Try again....
Think about Ikea wall light fittings....

 

[baldsparkies]

PAT testing ?? Shoddy work ??
Granted its not the way a qualified electrician would go about the job, but for goodness sake.
As long as its plugged into an RCD protected socket and the plug top is correctly fused Its acceptable and safe, surely thats what counts.
Sometimes guys, you go into this kind of stuff far to deeply.
Shall we talk about the breeding habits of penguins now. lol