Planning garden electrics

longwalks1

We're due to have our lounge plastered and we'd like a double box in the wall beside the door with a 6 gang switch on it, to control all possible lighting outside in the back garden.
Things so far we may have (over time) are:
1) 10 x spike lights in ground
2) large water feature
3) decking lighting
4) lighting in and around large pergola/covered area at bottom of garden
5) possible electric patio heater in/under pergola area

Our electrician has suggested running the 6 gang switch from a fused spur, does this sound right??

TheCyclingProgrammer

What sort of lighting system do you have in mind? If you use a 12v plug and play system then all you really need is an external socket.

longwalks1

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

What sort of lighting system do you have in mind? If you use a 12v plug and play system then all you really need is an external socket.

Hi CP
was planning 10 x spike lights with 5w or 7w GU10 LED's, and I'd imagine spots to light the pergola area too

TheCyclingProgrammer

britishboy wrote: »

Hi CP
was planning 10 x spike lights with 5w or 7w GU10 LED's, and I'd imagine spots to light the pergola area too

This is the system I'm thinking of using in our garden:

http://www.gardenlightshop.com/content/10-techmar-garden-lighting-system

I'm considering combining it with a LightwaveRF remote control socket (which we should be able to put inside an external plug socket enclosure) which I can control from my phone/wireless switches (I already use LightwaveRF throughout the house).

Nathaniel_Essex

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

This is the system I'm thinking of using in our garden:

http://www.gardenlightshop.com/content/10-techmar-garden-lighting-system

I'm considering combining it with a LightwaveRF remote control socket (which we should be able to put inside an external plug socket enclosure) which I can control from my phone/wireless switches (I already use LightwaveRF throughout the house).

If you have the money for it, you can get some deep recessed spike lights and fit some Philip Hue Bulbs in them. Can control them with your phone, voice, sensors etc. and they will change to any colour too.

getmore4less

Will a single heater be enough?

if the seating area is at the bottom of the garden you will want control there as well

might be better running a decent supply to that end of the garden and have some future proofing to add.

I would be thinking beyond just the light and heat,

External sockets for
garden tools in convenient location,
chargers for phone/tablets/laptop while outside.
portable beer fridge.

Any chance you may have video or sound requirements

Strider590

You can run from a fused spur up to 13amps, but if you want say a heater or additional outdoor sockets that may be used for a heater, then you would almost certainly have to run a brand new circuit from the consumer unit.

Also I would go for fuse spur AND RCD combo, not just a normal fuse spur, like:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-13a-rcd-fused-spur-white/8250p

.This will protect in case the wiring or attached devices get damaged and stop them tripping the consumer unit.

Risteard

Strider590 wrote: »

This will protect in case the wiring or attached devices get damaged and stop them tripping the consumer unit.

Only if you have no concept of how they work.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Strider590 wrote: »

This will protect in case the wiring or attached devices get damaged and stop them tripping the consumer unit.

If an RCD didn't trip the CU it wouldn't be much use to anyone.

I'm also not sure if there's any benefit to using an RCD spur if the circuit is already protected by an RCD at the CU. If you're getting an electrician to run a new circuit to the garden anyway and the CU does not have RCD protection, the electrician will need to upgrade your CU in order to sign off the work.