Outside Lighting

[Chris Johnson]

Hi Guys

New here and have an issue with the outside lighting.

As its getting a bit darker typical the lights have stopped working for some reason.

The lights are on a separate RCD with an isolating switch next to the fuse box.

If I turn the lights on it immediately trips. 

The cable runs out of the basement and upto about 12ft high and along the wall.

It goes most of the way around the house and has about 4 spot lights on it.

Gonna have look tomorrow just thought I'd ask if there is any tips for figuring out where the problem might be.

Have got a test meter if that helps and there is an IP65 junction box above one of them so gonna check that isn't letting water in.

If not the junction box all I can think is disconnect the first one from the others and just make sure first one works and so on until it trips again.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Chris

 

[Andy™]

most likely water in something

 

[Chris Johnson]

most likely water in something

I thought so, I will have a look at the junction box likely due to that.

Thanks for that.

 

[Chris Johnson]

It was the junction box, have now put some silicone all over to make sure no more water gets in.

Thanks for your tip Andy.

 

[Andy™]

put a hole in the bottom too. water will get in, give it somewhere to get out

 

[Doc Hudson]

Drainage hole(s) are far more important than any silicone IMHO.  Try leaving a sealed plastic tub ( Tuppaware some older members may call them ), outside for a few weeks, then come back and have a look at how much condensation builds up. A correctly fixed IP rated junction box should not need any additional sealant, other than the appropriate grommets / strips supplied with the box. But as with all weatherproof accessories they will have marked positions to drill or punch out one or more drainage/breathing holes.

Doc H.    

 

[Tony S]

In a similar vein I got called to a 400A feeder that had failed. A wall mounted joint in the correct IP rated box had exploded. I couldn’t find a drain/breather in what remained so that is what I put down as “cause of failure”.

 

[Chris Johnson]

Thanks guys for your help. 

The junction box has been up about 18 months so am a bit surprised it took so long to fail. All the IP65 instructions were followed. All caps and rubbers used where required. 

I'm going to leave it as is for now as it seems OK and then if it trips again will try putting a small hole in the bottom to allow any water to drain out. 

Then when/if it leaks and I can't get lid off due to silicone I'll smash it off and buy a new box lol.

The other one I put under the eaves has been fine due to better shelter. 

Thanks

Chris