Wiring of PIR lights - is this correct?!

[davver79]

Hi,

Firstly, I'm not an electrician, I am just here to look for advice from you friendly people.

We've just has some PIR lights fitted at the side of our house and a security floodlight at the back. We're really disappointed with the way the work looks.

We bought the lights and separate PIR's on the advice of the electrician. We also advised on the rough positioning. I knew there would be wiring on show, however, I did not realise the amount of cable that would be visible and it looks so messy. The electrician advised that we had to use this uv resistant cabling which was only available in white. As he's placed the PIR's right next to the lights I don't understand why he advised we buy them separately.

Please would you mind taking a look at the attached photo for me and letting me know what you think - is this correct or is there an easier/tidier way of doing this?

I will be talking to him when he comes back to finish/correct the job, but I would just like some second opinions that I can draw upon first.

Thanks in advance for your help
D

 

[HandySparks]

Separate PIRs (if chosen well) can be more reliable than the ones usually incorporated into light fittings.

In this sort of situation, I tend to use black Hi-Tuff or NYY-J cable, fixed to the wall with small cleats and screws; three or four core as required. Judging by the raked pointing, there's a fair chance that the clips will start falling out before long.

 

[Spoon]

I believe the customer( davber79) bought the lights and pir's so ask him If you think it's relivant

The OP bought the lights and pir's "on the advice of the electrician" as mentioned in his original post.
Why didn't the electrician buy them?

 

[stevethesparks]

Why didn't the electrician buy them?

More than likely doesn't have an account and couldn't afford them, the cable he probably nicked off site or off of someone.

 

[Spoon]

OP: Is the electrician giving you an electrical certificate for the work he has carried out?

 

[richy3333]

OP: Is the electrician giving you an electrical certificate for the work he has carried out?

I'd love to see that and the invoice!

Shambollock work. Pay nothing and make him do it again properly. hituff and/or conduit for me.

 

[Lou7]

Don't think he'd like black cable clipped up his white walls!!

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I cant help but wonder why anyone who was going to do it that way would fix the box halfway down thw wall when it could have tucked up high and saved all those loops of cable,anyone with an ounce of common sense........Oh,hang on,think I've answered my own question there.

 

[HandySparks]

I cant help but wonder why anyone who was going to do it that way would fix the box halfway down thw wall when it could have tucked up high and saved all those loops of cable,anyone with an ounce of common sense........Oh,hang on,think I've answered my own question there.

It's possible that that's where the supply comes through the wall. I quite often have to (or choose to) do this, especially if it's a short cable which used to feed an old outside light.

 

[tony mc]

Re the supply have a closer look at the box doesnt look like it comes through the back it looks like it comes from the corner where he has drilled a hole !

Even if you squint your eyes it still looks a total mess !

 

[davver79]

Thanks for all the replies! Some good advice that I can arm myself with when he returns tomorrow.

I am confused as to why there is so much cable being used and why he's not just gone straight into the light without going all around the houses. Is he trying to use more cable so I have to pay more??!

The supply comes from the cellar where he has drilled a hole through the wall. This then goes into the junction box.

Please can you confirm that this cable is definitely not suitable for this work? He did insist that this cable had to be used, and I had to pay an extra £50 for the pleasure.

Some more images for you showing how the clips have now come out of the wall. The cable is so thick the tension has pulled the nails out.

For the other light he has just clipped the cable to another existing cable that was already there.

 

[HandySparks]

Re the supply have a closer look at the box doesnt look like it comes through the back it looks like it comes from the corner where he has drilled a hole !

Good point, I hadn't spotted that there are five visible cables entering the box. So no excuse for the location of the box, although I'd always try to avoid bringing cables into the top of an external box.

 

[davver79]

Some more detailed photos of the cabling for you... The reason he said he needed to use that cable was that as the wall got a lot of sun, normal cable would not last very long and would become brittle. He said this cable is UV resistant.

 

[davesparks]

Don't think he'd like black cable clipped up his white walls!!

Then the electrician needs to find a different route for the cable.
The regulations, and common sense, require a cable which does not degrade in sunlight, so it's going to be black cable. Unless of course the electrician is going to use white micc

 

[Andy78]

What a dog's dinner !
The clipping is unsuitable, the fire proof cable is of unnecessary specification, the cable bending radii are far too tight, the cable routes and choice of wiring method is appalling.
This has been done by someone who doesn't really know what they are doing and doesn't give a ---- either.

 

[shanky887614]

dodgy dave from the pub strikes again, black plastic conduit or steel would look a lot better on the brick