Garden Lighting

[rpanchal82]

Hi All,

So i've just had my garden landscaped, i'm looking at lighting now, i've bought 8 of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01C4CKACY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So from each light i'm going to run a length of flex to a 3 way junction box, then from the junction box i'll run flex to the next light and then flex from junction box to junction box, i'll repeat this till the last light were it will go to a two way box.

Was thinking some like this for a junction box:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterproof-Junction-Box-Electrical-Connector/dp/B0881LPR1K?pd_rd_w=cvLzL&pf_rd_p=243fcdf9-2970-4b50-8a21-b929733c8b37&pf_rd_r=WEVJXW879C38PCPHR3C1&pd_rd_r=4de33af1-4606-4bd7-b3e7-8e4d5864c40d&pd_rd_wg=7b5r3

Would normal outdoor flex be ok?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/time-3183y-white-3-core-1-5mm-flexible-cable-50m-drum/88820#product_additional_details_container

Was going to put it in some sort of PVC flexible containment:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Kopex-Split-Flexible-Conduit/dp/B07YPGQM53/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2NHYLOWXOH26S&dchild=1&keywords=20mm%2Bflexible%2Bconduit&qid=1603664102&sprefix=20mm%2Bflexible%2Bcond%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExUUtQVkZHVkpWWjFJJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDI5NzY2M1ZRUDk3MzZTQ0dOTSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTMxOTAwMlBENkoyMkI5RkMzJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

(I would trench and fill with gravel on top) for the last part of cabling I need to cross a single concreate flag, my plan was to lift, trench and lay the flag on top and terminate into a junction box, then from inside run a cable to the box, i'll fix a 13amp plug on the end and this would then plug into a wi-fi plug.

Does any of the cabling need to be armoured,

The lights will have 5W LED bulbs in

Also would the volage drop as it travels from light to light?

 

[Evans Electric]

Cable underground should be armoured .    Are you fitting the lights around the garden ?    

 

[rpanchal82]

Yeah its lights around the garden, although the flex would be in conduit and just gravel on top so hides the conduit, would have a piece of armoured were I need to cross to get to the house as this would need to be properley underground as a flag will lay back on top. Its a bout 6metres from one side of the garden to the other, i've got a row of sleepers, so was going to clip conduit to the backside of this so you cant see it and run flex inside.

 

[boltonsparky]

Consider converting the fittings to 12v and running via a transformer, this isn't always possible but is a much safer way to run garden lighting. 

It'd be more advisable to use armoured cable under the gravel than under the flag (although you still should under the flag). It's less likely to be damaged under a flag, far more likely to be damaged in the gravel. 

Unless it's steel, conduit it will do little to protect the cable in a garden. Spades/trowels are your main threat, a spade will go through plastic conduit without giving it a second thought. 

 

[Murdoch]

Dare I ask if the circuit you are adding these too has RCD protection?

 

[NozSpark]

Dare I ask if the circuit you are adding these too has RCD protection?

Isn't outdoor lighting also notifiable?

 

[Murdoch]

Isn't outdoor lighting also notifiable?

Not in England unless it’s a new circuit. probably in Wales

 

[rpanchal82]

Yeah all circuits are RCD proted at the main fusebox.. I may play it safe and use outdoor rated flex from the lights to the junciton boxes (this is just running down the inside fencepost) and all other cabling use armoured, assuming I would need any PVC conduit for this then?

In terms of the junction boxes, i'll have cable from the light to junction box, then from this to the other light and carry on loopong them till I get to the last one, is that the best way?

 

[Evans Electric]

Consider converting the fittings to 12v and running via a transformer, this isn't always possible but is a much safer way to run garden lighting

I think this is your best option too   .