outdoor light query

mutley74

A friend is going to relocate and change an outdoor light for me. Current wiring is fed from an external JB. He told me to buy the cables and clips.
The light fitting has 80W bulb which we plan to change to LEDs rated at 2x5w, should be under 5A.
Do we need a 0.75 or 1mm cable size, and is there a specific type of cable for outdoor use? (current cable is black) I'm not sure what type to but from Wickes or Screwfix.

Any help appreciated.

brightontraveller

mutley74 wrote: »

A friend is going to relocate and change an outdoor light for me. Current wiring is fed from an external JB. He told me to buy the cables and clips.
The light fitting has 80W bulb which we plan to change to LEDs rated at 2x5w, should be under 5A.
Do we need a 0.75 or 1mm cable size, and is there a specific type of cable for outdoor use? (current cable is black) I'm not sure what type to but from Wickes or Screwfix.

Any help appreciated.

If they had even a tiny understanding or a basic electrical knowledge, that question would not be asked??? So someone who's clueless is doing your electrics and externally, So not only the householder (whom allows/deserves the bodger ) but anyone unfortunate enough to be in the vicinity of the bodgers work is at risk...

Get an electrician or someone who understands/knows not someone who clearly shouldn’t go anywhere near electrics....

If you just want money saving then it doesn't matter use anything that conducts electricity.......

Strider590

It really wants to be twin+earth cable (1mm or 1.5mm will do), as long as it's not anywhere it could get damaged, but ideally it wants to exit the wall behind the light fitting, because cable clips don't really work on brick walls (although commonly seen) and some would argue about UV damage (which I have never seen on modern grade cables).

Rocket science it is not, run it from a fused spur or the existing circuit, make sure it's off and locked down at the consumer unit before carrying out any work, apply basic common sense.

If it were me i'd be running low voltage wiring and running it from a PSU, as this saves messing with mains power, but then my CCTV + exterior security lights all run on a single 10A 12V PSU.

mutley74

Thanks the chap doing the work recommended 1mm2. I checked with a friend who is an electrical engineer who confirmed the same, and checked suitable cables online from screwfix for the job. It is to replace and extend an existing outdoor light fitting. It is connecting to an existing JB which is simply connected via 3pin plug in the house (has been for years).