outdoors christmas lights

[youngpadawan]

Hi guys, been asked to hang a bunch of 'holiday' lighting, both to a tree and hanging over the road. These lights all plug into ip rated outside plug sockets, and have never had a pat test (or any other sort of test). Is this correct? Or is it exempt for being external? Seems a bit irish to me!

 

[Richard Burns]

If you are just plugging them in then they are not covered by BS7671, however you should ensure that they are safe to use, which could be done through PAT testing, or perhaps just a visual inspection depending on voltage.
Hanging over the road sounds somewhat dicey as you may be affecting the public highway.

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Saves putting up a clothes line i suppose :smug:

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

We do Christmas lights every year. They all must be pat tested and any catinarys over a road must have eye bolt tests done annually.