New outdoor security light-advice sought?

martin57

Hi everybody,

I got a pir security light fitted about 12 years ago, but its reached the end of its life. On looking at it I see that the electrician who did it for me, took a cable from wall socket upstaris (fitted a separate on/off switch) and ran it outside, its one of those thick grey electric cables, he then connected the cable from the security light to the grey cable and just used that black electrical tape around the connections.

Im getting a security light from argos tomorrow and would like some advice please?

1 is it ok to connect the cable from new security light to the existing grey cable and if so would it be better to use some sort of a connection splitter or just cover with electrical tape?

2 if no cable on new security light is it ok to run that existing thick electrical cable directly into the light?

Thank you very much for any help and also the other things you helped me with.

Martin57

ormus

ideally there should be no joins. if it reaches, the cable can go directly into the lamp.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

& if you don't know how to isolate the socket upstairs switch the whole lot off at the fuse box/consumer unit

keystone

martin57 wrote: »

Hi everybody,

I got a pir security light fitted about 12 years ago, but its reached the end of its life. On looking at it I see that the electrician who did it for me, took a cable from wall socket upstaris (fitted a separate on/off switch) and ran it outside, its one of those thick grey electric cables, he then connected the cable from the security light to the grey cable and just used that black electrical tape around the connections.

From your description thats very, very poor work indeed. Are you saying that there are cable cores twisted together and bound up with insulation tape?

1 is it ok to connect the cable from new security light to the existing grey cable and if so would it be better to use some sort of a connection splitter or just cover with electrical tape?

It would be better to remove the grey cable and the cable that comes with the light and fit a new length altogether making sure you install it with a drip loop.

2 if no cable on new security light is it ok to run that existing thick electrical cable directly into the light?

I suppose so but make sure that there is enough cable to make yourself a drip loop.

Cheers

latecomer

Take the wires into the light if you can. If it doens't reach and you have access I'd replace the whole cable so that you can take it into the light.

martin57

Thanks everybody for replies. Yes the electrician connected the 2 cable cores with insulation tape.
If I have to do something similar (as its going to be a bit difficult to run a new length of cable from the power source to the light as I got upvc guttering done) can anyone reccomend some sort of splitter that is better than electricial insulation tape?

martin57

tony6403

The power for your security light should not have been taken from a wall socket.
The connection should be made from your lighting circuit.
This is work that should be carried out by a person qualified under Part P of the Building Regulations - unless you make the connection from an existing circuit which is not within a kitchen or bathroom.

zax47

tony6403 wrote: »

The power for your security light should not have been taken from a wall socket.

tony6403 wrote: »

The connection should be made from your lighting circuit.
This is work that should be carried out by a person qualified under Part P of the Building Regulations - unless you make the connection from an existing circuit which is not within a kitchen or bathroom.

What rot!

Of course it can come via the ring final circuit - provided it's connected via a suitably fused FCU.

New external lighting is "technically" Part P notifiable regardless of where the connection is made from (kitchen, bathroom, landing, loft), though many wouldn't bother. However in this case it's not a new installation/circuit, but a replacement of an existing light so I wouldn't be notifying it through my scheme provider. Don't know anyone that would, just needs a Minor Works Certs if one of us sparky's does it, sod all if you DIY.

{one of us is an electrician, I'm guessing it's not you? :cool:}