Outside Light, help please

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Hi guys, just after a bit of advise about wiring in an outside light.

The customer already has one light above the front door and would like another at the end of the driveway. Just an accent light nothing to powerfull. The original light is controlled off of a light switch in the house. What would be the best way of wiring this in?

The house is on a re-wireable fuse board, but apart from that i havn't had a look at the wiring. Is there anything i need to consider when taking on the job?

Another chap told me that if the house has no bonding i have to do this aswell, is this true?

thanks
Adam

 

[Mira]

Hi,i would suggest to lead the same size (3 core)cable from current light to which you want to add on.Outside light should be protected by RCD,but if the house is on re-wirable fuse board you should consider it as it has probably old wiring in TN-C-S and best way is rewire whole house for safety purposes.

 

[Spudnik]

if the house is on re-wirable fuse board you should consider it as it has probably old wiring in TN-C-S and best way is rewire whole house for safety purposes.

I think rewiring a house just to install an additional outside light is a bit extreme but it should be checked for the usual.

Yes, the circuit you are working on must now be brought up to spec with an RCD but this can be achieved by putting an RCD in line with the circuit the outside lights are on, and yes, the main bonding should also be checked and sorted if needed.

SWA is probably the only way if the cable run needs to be underground, but to be honest, its a bit tricky advising as we havent seen the current set up etc.

Also, this work will require notifying to LABC as its outside.

Good luck!

 

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Cheers for the help guys, all taken on board. Really appreciated.

 

[Jono Pashley]

This work would only be notifiable if the feed point was in a kitchen or bathroom, the cabling ran across the garden, it is a new circuit back to the CU or you made any connections outside except into the enclosure provided on the lighting.

 

[wattsup]

Check the existing light has an earth, easy to do with a test lamp...check the fuse rating and associated wiring, if ok tap off.

 

[TPES]

This work would only be notifiable if the feed point was in a kitchen or bathroom, the cabling ran across the garden, it is a new circuit back to the CU or you made any connections outside except into the enclosure provided on the lighting.

I thought that if you add lighting outside then its notifiable no matter where the feed is from, lounge or bedroom for example, if the alteration is made inside the property in a non-special location then this doesnt need to be notified (but always tested).

If you feed from a non special location to a special location (like a garden) then this will need testing and notifying.
If your installing garden power or lighting then it needs notifying no matter where the feeds from?

Am i wrong?

 

[Jono Pashley]

Its in the approved document, and has been for 3 years..

 

[beaver74]

Yes, the circuit you are working on must now be brought up to spec with an RCD

I have looked but cant find any thing saying an out side light need to be rcd protected but this said i do any new/ out side work using a rcd what reg is that
beaver

 

[Spudnik]

I have looked but cant find any thing saying an out side light need to be rcd protected but this said i do any new/ out side work using a rcd what reg is that
beaver

It has nothing to do with the outside light.

Its the wiring to it.

Apologies though, as i assumed new cables ,less than 50mm etc etc hence the need for RCD.