Moving an outside light

[Mr_S]

I have a lantern on the back wall of my house which I’d like to replace with a flood light, the current lantern is about 8 feet up the wall and ideally the flood light will be above the first floor window height.

I imagine it’s not good enough to just extend the cable and pin it up the wall to the height I need.

So what should I use to do it properly? I’m thinking that I’ll need something to stop the rain getting at the electric bits.

[B17NNS]

What you need is an electrician.

[Simpo Two]

Or one of these, a screwdriver and an IQ into three figures:

http://www.cedecor.co.uk/cheshire_electrical_decor...

Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 23 January 20:31

[mrsxllifts]

Other than the usual, get an electrician answer which is, of course, the correct one, you can do this yourself with a bit of common sense and technical knowledge.

Get yourself a IP67/68 junction box, stick it on wall connect cable and extend to where light is needed, obvious points are: safe ladder use, turning power off, ensuring 'drip loop' etc.

[mph1977]

Simpo Two said:

Or one of these, a screwdriver and an IQ into three figures:

http://www.cedecor.co.uk/cheshire_electrical_decor...

Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 23 January 20:31

fundamentally yes assuming you have three brain cells to rub to together

[Simpo Two]

mph1977 said:

fundamentally yes assuming you have three brain cells to rub to together

33 IQ per cell is pretty good!!

[Mr_S]

Great, I think I will give the junction box a go.

If it does prove too much for me I will ensure the appropriate ambulance / hospital pictures are posted here.

[cjs]

Why not leave the current light in place and install a flood on a PIR at high level? You could run a new power feed from the loft maybe?

[Mr_S]

I am thinking of just extending the existing as there is already a switch by the back door and I thought that'd probably be the easiest solution.

You’re probably right though and a PIR flood right up at roof height would probably be better.

How much do you think an Electrician would charge to do something like that?
Would it only take an hour or so?

[Wings]

Some 33 years ago to do what you are looking to do, I just used the upstairs lighting ceiling roses, to run spurs off into lighting junction boxes, then 1.5 mm lighting cable from junction boxes through drilled holes into outside walls, wired up flood lights, and guess what, the flood lights are still working today.

These links might give you the confidence to have a pop at the job yourself, and remember to turn off the electrics before you start.

http://www.lets-do-diy.com/Projects-and-advice/Ele...

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/lighting_circuit...

[MJG280]

Wings said:

Some 33 years ago to do what you are looking to do, I just used the upstairs lighting ceiling roses, to run spurs off into lighting junction boxes, then 1.5 mm lighting cable from junction boxes through drilled holes into outside walls, wired up flood lights, and guess what, the flood lights are still working today.

These links might give you the confidence to have a pop at the job yourself, and remember to turn off the electrics before you start.

http://www.lets-do-diy.com/Projects-and-advice/Ele...

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/lighting_circuit...

Me too but 25 years ago. The floodlight being high up gives a better spread of light and the switch is in the airing cupboard.

[james_tigerwoods]

Stupid question - In this same situation, could you leave the light in place and wire in a PIR on "the other side" of it?

[Hereward]

Run any external cable in a conduit.