Wiring query - external lights

[Puggit]

I've got some IR activated lights I'd like to rig up in the alley between our house and next door. They will be going up just the other side of the external wall from our fuse box (located in the garage).

The fuse box is a MEM tripable switch type, with some spare sockets. Would it be as easy as wiring in a 3 phase cable through the wall to the lights, connecting it to the fuse box and placing a 5 amp switch/fuse in to the MEM box?

Thanks

[jas xjr]

Mate nothing in your house should be three phase. The cable will be three core

[miniman]

Yes, you need to wire it with suitable twin & earth cable. 1.5mm should be fine but if you're running 500w halogens I might go for 2.5mm. Personally I would add a fused spur switch between the two.

Not sure whether adding an MCB to the distribution board is notifiable or not.

[Brite spark]

Puggit said:

I've got some IR activated lights I'd like to rig up in the alley between our house and next door. They will be going up just the other side of the external wall from our fuse box (located in the garage).

The fuse box is a MEM tripable switch type, with some spare sockets. Would it be as easy as wiring in a 3 phase cable through the wall to the lights, connecting it to the fuse box and placing a 5 amp switch/fuse in to the MEM box?

Thanks

Halogen lights? 500w each?
If not what power are they each going to use?

3 phase= 3 core as already said but are you meaning swa cable?

By spare sockets do you mean spare ways in the mem board?

[Puggit]

Sorry, yes I meant 3 core!

2x 75W lights, no need for Halogens as it's just an alleyway!

Brite spark said:

By spare sockets do you mean spare ways in the mem board?

Spare slot to put a tripable switch and fuse block thing

[DrDeAtH]

use NYY-J or HiTuf cable, dont do it in twin and earth or normal flex.

[Chrisgr31]

The standard halogen seems to have reduced from 500W to 400W whilst I wasn't paying attention.

[Bat Fastard]

DrDeAtH said:

use NYY-J or HiTuf cable, dont do it in twin and earth or normal flex.

I don't wish to start an argument, but why? I'm genuinely interested to know why 1.5mm T&E isn't good enough for the job

[Brite spark]

Bat Fastard said:

I don't wish to start an argument, but why? I'm genuinely interested to know why 1.5mm T&E isn't good enough for the job

Depends if the cable is going to be outside. T+E isn't rated for outdoor use.
If it was going back entry into the light fitting and was suitably protected through the wall then it could be considered.
Cable would need to be sized appropriately for the load and breaker used accordingly

[Brite spark]

Puggit said:

2x 75W lights, no need for Halogens as it's just an alleyway!

Yes but this is ph so normal definitions of alleyway do not always apply, or you may of got halogens cheap so the question had to be asked

Puggit said:

Spare slot to put a tripable switch and fuse block thing

You need to have an rcbo installed for the circuit ideally.
Compliance with part p would also need to be considered.

[Ganglandboss]

miniman said:

Not sure whether adding an MCB to the distribution board is notifiable or not.

Adding a new circuit is notifiable, so is installing external lighting.

[Bat Fastard]

Brite spark said:

Depends if the cable is going to be outside. T+E isn't rated for outdoor use.
If it was going back entry into the light fitting and was suitably protected through the wall then it could be considered.
Cable would need to be sized appropriately for the load and breaker used accordingly

Ah right, I assumed cables would be going straight in to the fitting, then looping back indoors to the next one

[DrDeAtH]

Brite spark said:

Depends if the cable is going to be outside. T+E isn't rated for outdoor use.
If it was going back entry into the light fitting and was suitably protected through the wall then it could be considered.
Cable would need to be sized appropriately for the load and breaker used accordingly

+1 T&E isnt UV stable nor is it impact resistant, whereas the suggested cables are. If the cables are to run externally, clipped direct then it needs to be constructed in a way to afford some protection to the conductors within.

[Mr GrimNasty]

Ganglandboss said:

miniman said:

Not sure whether adding an MCB to the distribution board is notifiable or not.

.... is notifiable, so is installing external lighting.

Not if it's attached to the house (well not last time I looked anyway).

[miniman]

Mr GrimNasty said:

Ganglandboss said:

miniman said:

Not sure whether adding an MCB to the distribution board is notifiable or not.

.... is notifiable, so is installing external lighting.

Not if it's attached to the house (well not last time I looked anyway).

What about IP rated external LEDs (e.g. those decking sets you get at B&Q) where the transformer stays inside?

[Ganglandboss]

miniman said:

Mr GrimNasty said:

Ganglandboss said:

miniman said:

Not sure whether adding an MCB to the distribution board is notifiable or not.

.... is notifiable, so is installing external lighting.

Not if it's attached to the house (well not last time I looked anyway).

What about IP rated external LEDs (e.g. those decking sets you get at B&Q) where the transformer stays inside?

Oops! Mr GN is right:

Silly Part P Nonsense said:

g. Outdoor lighting and power installations are special installations. Any new work in, for example, the garden or that involves crossing the garden is notifiable.

but then Silly Part P Nonsense said:

i. The installation of equipment attached to the outside wall of a house (for example security lighting, air conditioning equipment and radon fans) is not notifiable provided that there are no exposed outdoor connections and the work does not involve the installation of a new circuit or the extension of a circuit in a kitchen or special location or associated with a special installation.

With regards to the decking lighting, installation of pre-assembled CE marked kits are not notifiable.

Badly drafted legislation by that useless fat b*stard Prescott said:

k. The installation of prefabricated, “modular” systems (for example kitchen lighting systems and armoured garden cabling) linked by plug and socket connectors is not notifiable, provided that products are CE-marked and that any final connections in kitchens and special locations are made to existing connection units or points (possibly a 13A socket outlet).

[cpas]

Last time I wired a wall mounted PIR floodlight (150W), the instructions said it was permissable to simply connect it to 3-core flex, bring it into the house (through the wall or a window frame) and connect it to a socket vis a 3-pin plug. Is this not 'allowed' any more?

[DrDeAtH]

You could do that if you wanted. So long as you use a rubberised flex and fused the plug at 3 amps.
But IMHO it looks proper shoddy... and isnt really best practice.

[cpas]

Does seem a bit of a bodge IMHO!

[miniman]

The regs are stupid in this respect. What is so terrible about me, a perfectly competent DIYer, from running a bit of twin & earth from an outside light to a distribution board, adding a suitable MCB and connecting it all up?