Outside Light Wiring Conversion Question For Christmas Tree

[James Bateman]

Hi all,

This will probably be a simple one for any electrician out there so hopefully I'll get a nice easy yes or no response (and hopefully how to do it!)

I have an outside light on a balcony that is connected to a light switch indoors. What I would like to do is use the cabling in the light to hook up a plug if possible or to directly wire in an outdoors set of lights. Well it is for a christmas tree - see below.

Is it a matter of matching up the cables with what I want to put out there or is it more complicated than this?

Outdoor light wiring - I can't upload a picture?

What I want to connect (I'm sure it will come with a standard UK plug) I can't upload a picture?

 

[James Bateman]

Thanks...

The wiring I have to work with....

 
The lights I want to hook up. Sorry, no picture available of the actual wiring.

normally I would opt for an outside socket but unfortunately it is not possible in this case
It is a new build flat and no alterations like that are allowed so cannot install an outside power outlet.
The light does have an RCD (connected to the same light ring as the living room lights
The outside light is on a sheltered balcony so protected from rain. If it was possible to wire the lights in directly to the connection seen in the picture then I think I would be able to put the light cover back on again but not completely screw in tight on the bottom to allow the cables to escape.

What would I need to do in order to connect the Christmas tree lights to this?
It will only ever be used for lights like this over Christmas. No other power is required out on the balcony as I can just run a lead in to the living room if required but as its going to be too cold to leave the door ajar for the lights I am looking for a solution to enable me to have windows and doors closed.

 

[Andy™]

suitable outdoor rated socket thats big enough to take the power supply, connected to the light and it should be good

 

[ProDave]

the unused brown is probably permanent L (unused in this case)

The grey is your neutral, and the black, with the bit of brown sleeving on it is the switched L.

If you connect an outside socket for your lights, put a label on it that it's fed from the lighting circuit so nobody comes along in the future and plugs the lawnmower or pressure washer into it.

 

[Blue Duck]

Or worse a welder!!! lol

how about an ip55 fcu with 3a fuse

http://m.screwfix.com/p/bg-nexus-13-fcu-w-neon/27437?kpid=27437&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%2520Listing%2520Ads-_-Sales%2520Tracking-_-sales%2520tracking%2520url&cm_mmc=Google-_-Shopping%2520-%2520Lighting-_-Shopping%2520-%2520Lighting&gclid=Cj0KEQjw-7GxBRCL_Kq6mZSHvdsBEiQA7r8VhJyAzqbRD-BcCaFBCMir4ZDu__W0hgWli1hepA9Vr6gaAj0Z8P8HAQ

 

[Lurch]

The tree thing probably has a transformer plug affair so a normal socket is likely to be unsuitable, as would a FCU. You can get boxes of various sizes specifically for this purpose, Dri-Box or the like.

 

[Richard-the-Ninth]

James, you will need an outdoor socket £13.29*, to plug anything into,  weatherproof socket kit (Big enough to allow you to plug in the power supply) £29.99*

OR

Leave the window ajar and bring the lead indoors and plug it in

* Prices from screwfix.

 

[James Bateman]

Ok I like the look of the weatherproof boxes. I definitely think that is the way to go and will get one big enough to house a big plug.

I need to know (in real layman's terms) how I run a plug from the light wiring above to an extension socket that will be in the weatherproof box.

What do I connect to what? Off of memory, this is a standard plug. At the other end of this (exposed wire) how to i connect it to the light that is on the wall?

OR

Leave the window ajar and bring the lead indoors and plug it in

Not an option I'm afraid. That would so much simpler I know!

 

[Richard-the-Ninth]

Answer. You don't connect a plug to where the light is.

1) Pointless as it would be of no use

2) Lethal, i believe its also known as a widow maker

You want a socket.

Why is the window ajar not an option? It looks like the cable for your Christmas tree lights is very thin and can easily go through a window that is ajar, and most modern double glazing windows can be locked when ajar.

 

[James Bateman]

Answer. You don't connect a plug to where the light is.

1) Pointless as it would be of no use

2) Lethal, i believe its also known as a widow maker

You want a socket.

Why is the window ajar not an option? It looks like the cable for your Christmas tree lights is very thin and can easily go through a window that is ajar, and most modern double glazing windows can be locked when ajar.

So it's not possible to wire in or change the connection to enable me to plug the tree in?

Because I am up on the second floor of an apartment block (will be very cold) and also near a dual carriageway (noisy). Being near a dual carriageway they are very tightly locked so either wont close with cable in it or will just break the cable. I dont imagine the cable will be long enough to go from where the tree is going to go on the balcony to where I would be able to plug it in inside either.

 

[ProDave]

So it's not possible to wire in or change the connection to enable me to plug the tree in?

Because I am up on the second floor of an apartment block (will be very cold) and also near a dual carriageway (noisy). Being near a dual carriageway they are very tightly locked so either wont close with cable in it or will just break the cable. I dont imagine the cable will be long enough to go from where the tree is going to go on the balcony to where I would be able to plug it in inside either.

Yes you wire in a SOCKET that your plug plugs into.

What's noise and a dual carriageway got to do with it?

 

[James Bateman]

Ok, excellent. That's what I need information on then please. How would I wore in a socket from the wiring I have on that light?

I was mentioning the noise as that's a reason I can't have a window ajar over the Christmas period

 

[Murdoch]

I wonder how big the plug is on the illuminated Xmas tree?

 

[Doc Hudson]

I am guessing this balcony is not very large. and the Christmas light that you want to have on are not a very big arrangement, if so i would go and look at the numerous battery operated LED strings of lights. Wide selections are available for a reasonable cost. Including plain white, coloured, still or flashing. Battery LED set can run happily for several days. Just get a few extra 'AA' or 'AAA' batteries and switch them on as and when required. You could have multiple sets and still be cheaper than all of the work involved in connecting a mains set up.

Doc H.

 

[James Bateman]

I had a sneaky look at the display model and it looks to be one of the big bulky plugs. Someone mentioned that it will probably have a transformer built in to the plug?

I am guessing this balcony is not very large. and the Christmas light that you want to have on are not a very big arrangement, if so i would go and look at the numerous battery operated LED strings of lights. Wide selections are available for a reasonable cost. Including plain white, coloured, still or flashing. Battery LED set can run happily for several days. Just get a few extra 'AA' or 'AAA' batteries and switch them on as and when required. You could have multiple sets and still be cheaper than all of the work involved in connecting a mains set up.

Doc H.

Good idea however the tree that is going out on the (yes, small) balcony has built in lights so need to be able to plug it in somehow

 

[Doc Hudson]

I had a sneaky look at the display model and it looks to be one of the big bulky plugs. Someone mentioned that it will probably have a transformer built in to the plug?

Good idea however the tree that is going out on the (yes, small) balcony has built in lights so need to be able to plug it in somehow

Take those lights off the tree and put some battery LEDs on the tree. Still cheaper than rewiring your outside light.

Doc H

 

[Blue Duck]

Have a look at the tranny, see what voltage it operates at? you might be able to chop it off and run it off a car battery??

 

[James Bateman]

Have a look at the tranny, see what voltage it operates at? you might be able to chop it off and run it off a car battery??

Ooh good thinking. I'll pop in to the shop tomorrow and take a picture of it and post up tomorrow

 

[James Bateman]

Have a look at the tranny, see what voltage it operates at? you might be able to chop it off and run it off a car battery??

Here's the plug...

(The black one in the middle)

Here's a close up of the info on the plug...

 

[septiclecky]

Is that ugly monstrosity of a tree able to be put outside as if it rains it looks like it will fall to bits.