What Cable?

[Coppernail]

Just about to lay a patio and have now decided to put lights into it. Have calculated 21 lights in total in the series, 40a LED (GU10). The overall length of the run is appr 50mtr. Need to know what size of cable I should be ordering. I would have left that all to the spark but he is on holiday for 2 weeks and the patio guy wants to get it in this week. All help gratefully received.!

 

[Coppernail]

Just about to lay a patio and have now decided to put lights into it. Have calculated 21 lights in total in the series, 40a LED (GU10). The overall length of the run is appr 50mtr. Need to know what size of cable I should be ordering. I would have left that all to the spark but he is on holiday for 2 weeks and the patio guy wants to get it in this week. All help gratefully received.!

Sorry, meant 40w not amp bulbs..

 

[batty]

More information would be needed. 1.5 cable should easily be OK for that load. Generally SWA cable is used  are you sure they are 40 watt LED? they are going to be extremely bright. Really the sparks that is installing them would need to decide on what cable is used SWA can be a problem connecting in some fittings he may want a different cable. I personally would put of patio guy until he gets back of holiday. Welcome to the forum.

Also where are the drivers going are they built into fittings you will only do this job once don't rush it.

 

[Coppernail]

They are 5.5w LED's, 40w equivalents. Termination is via 2 x 20mm compression glands in the base of the fitting, no drivers. I'd love to put it off for 2 weeks but we have a deadline so I'd rather let them get on with it if I can. I am trying to secure an order so we can get it laid in on Tuesday morning. Main slabs arrive Wednesday. Appreciate the response and thanks for the welcome.. nice to be here.

 

[Steve3948]

Batty - I read that as 40W total load, we always use 2.5mm 3 core SWA to allow for volt drop and future add on.

 

[batty]

Problem with compression glands armoured cable would not be able to be glanded properly as said sparks has to install lights so he needs to be happy with installed cable. Are they flush in slabs or surface? Total load should be around 115 watts for 21 fittings.

 

[Coppernail]

yeah, i calculated 115.5w load. They are flush mounted walkover fittings.
10 X MARINE GRADE 316 STAINLESS STEEL GROUND WALK OVER, DRIVE OVER LIGHTS from Lakes online

What's the issue with the armoured cable and the glands?

 

[batty]

The armoring needs earthing stuffing glands you don't do this if the the glands can be replaced with SWA glands this will overcome problem. so are you leaving a hole in slab for lights ? 

 

[Coppernail]

the lights are going into a border cobble, so the intention is to leave a loop at the designated points and leave that particular cobble out until such time as the spark is ready to fit. Cobbles will be drilled ready to accept the fitting, then cemented in place when ready. just looking to lay the cable down at present, no terminations anywhere as yet..cheers

 

[batty]

As long as he can terminate them I.E there is space under the fittings that should be OK I would leave a metre loop at each fitting to cover termination. 1.5 cable will be adequate as long as fittings are not upgraded which I wouldn't think you would do.

 

[Coppernail]

Thanks Batty.. appreciate the assistance. I'll get the order placed.. ....

 

[Steve3948]

You are heading for issues, the SWA cable will need to go down in the hole, not easy.

The fittings may come pre flexed, and may require thought on how best to terminate or joint cabling.

 

[batty]

I agree  Steve  I hate going to jobs where people have cut cable short so you struggle to terminate it. It possible fittings will not take SWA glands so this can be another problem but I think he will get on with it anyway as he says he can't wait worst that will happen is sparks won't be able to connect fittings so more cost will be involved to make it possible.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

They are 5.5w LED's, 40w equivalents. Termination is via 2 x 20mm compression glands in the base of the fitting, no drivers. I'd love to put it off for 2 weeks but we have a deadline so I'd rather let them get on with it if I can. I am trying to secure an order so we can get it laid in on Tuesday morning. Main slabs arrive Wednesday. Appreciate the response and thanks for the welcome.. nice to be here.

If you are the one paying for the patio to be laid surely you can define the timescales ??

Most reasonable trade-persons will accommodate their customers needs timescales etc... 

You are heading for issues, the SWA cable will need to go down in the hole, not easy.

The fittings may come pre flexed, and may require thought on how best to terminate or joint cabling.

+1 what Steve says...

Best to hold off and get your Spark to verify exactly whats needed..

Or it may be a bigger bill to pull it all up later and redo it properly!

Then again sometimes these "other sparks" are only virtual persons living in questions but never actually appearing on site in real flesh & bone...

putting the cart before the horse come to mind.

:C

 

[kerching]

Why not put some ducting in instead

Put a draw rope in from light to light, leaving slack at each point. Proper draw rope, blue 6mm poly....none of this DIY green garden string

Leave a space at each connection point to accommodate the slack

Let you spark put the wire HE wants in

Jobs a good un

Well that is what I would do, but what do I know?

See avatar for details