Taping into and Installing outside security light

[DIY GUY]

So it would go into any com terminal? Sorry if I sound daft I’m a novice lol. 

Is is there a specific way to run cable behind a stud wall full of insulation, like any type of protection or should it be ok fished through behind the wall any old way. 

:signthankspin:

 

[Sharpend]

With regard cables in insulated walls you have to derate the current carrying cable capacity of said cable, so this security light output in watts is? 

 

[DIY GUY]

It just says bulb specification is 35watts and it’s a 240v lamp

What type of cable would I need to use for the link and is it safe to just run it in the insulation 

 

[Andy™]

 And does the cable I use need to be a minimum kind of length?

yes. enough to get from supply to load

 

[DIY GUY]

What size of cable would I need Andy

 

[Sharpend]

1.5mm would be sufficient. 

 

[DIY GUY]

Thanks for your help sharpend. 

And that would be safe to run behind stud wall as long as I run it horizontal or vertical ?  

 

[Hefferl]

Thanks for your help sharpend. 

And that would be safe to run behind stud wall as long as I run it horizontal or vertical ?  

Is the circuit RCD protected?

 

[DIY GUY]

Hopefully you can see this, would this make it safe to run cable to security light through walls and hidden behind stud wall with insulation 

cheers 

 

[Hefferl]

Hopefully you can see this, would this make it safe to run cable to security light through walls and hidden behind stud wall with insulation 

cheers 

View attachment 8901

I can't see completely clearly but certainly looks to me like your lights are not RCD protected - so no as buried cables require RCD protection.

 

[DIY GUY]

But is every cable in my home not buried ? 

The red one in middle is Rcd but not entirely sure what it protects . My homes about 13 years old 

 

[roys]

But is every cable in my home not buried ? 

The red one in middle is Rcd but not entirely sure what it protects . My homes about 13 years old 

The RCD which is in the middle looks like it is protecting every circuit to the left of it, so all the ones with a green topped label on it.

 

[DIY GUY]

Thanks for getting back, so do you reckon cables in my home to power light switches are unsafe because there buried and possibly not rcd protected? 

 

[DIY GUY]

Hope these pics explain a bit more ?

 

[Hefferl]

So the lights are not protected by RCD.

Your existing switch cables were installed under a previous edition of the wiring regulations.

The current regulations require buried cables to be RCD protected.

 

[DIY GUY]

Is it a big job to get a rcd to support the switches? 

Would I need a new consumer box? 

Could I take a feed of my sockets for light and bury cable and it would be ok? 

Thanks again 

 

[Sidewinder]

You might be able to get an electrician to re-configure the consumer unit for you if the parts are available from the manufacturer, as the unit is obsolete.

 

[DIY GUY]

Is it a pretty big deal if I didn’t get the other half protected? 

Could I take a feed from security light to my sockets that’s rcd protected? 

:signthankspin:

 

[Sidewinder]

It's not "dangerous" as such, just not compliant for a registered electrician to modify the circuit without adding RCD protection.

You could take the supply from the socket circuit via a suitable fused connection unit and with suitable notes etc.

 

[binky]

you have a standard 16th edition set-up, ie RCD for sockets and similar appliances, no RCD for lighting. I wouldn't worry about it, personally I prefer the 16th edition set-up to the current regs as it is generally more reliable.

If we, as electricians, modify the cct, we have to comply with current regs, but as you are doing this yourself, it's your choice.