Wiring an Outdoor electric socket & switch for lighting💡, pond & garden (weatherproof & IP66)

Updates on / suj.menon
This is a guide on how to install weather-proof switches and sockets safely in your garden. Its extremely useful to have outdoor sockets to run your lawn mower, or to plug in garden lights during the night. All the fittings used here are IP66 rated. The cable used for this are outdoor rated SWA armoured cables. It goes without saying that: Electricity is dangerous. So if you are not sure on what to do, consider using a trained and qualified electrician. If you feel that this is a bit OTT for you, you can still watch this to understand the different components used, and the way to connect them all. FYI, my garage wiring is connected to a dedicated RCD on the main electrical consumer unit. So if it trips, it will be at this level. Residual current devices and breakers quickly disconnect current to prevent serious harm from an ongoing electric shock, they are life saving devices which are easy to install. Whenever a fault is detected within the connected circuit these devices allow the circuit to break. If you have any questions on the installation or on the products used, please ask. If I know the answer, I would usually reply back on the same day !
John Ward's SWA Tutorial: • SWA Cable - Steel Wire...
Link to the items used in this project:
BG IP66 13A Switched Socket 2 Gang
www.toolstatio...
IP66 13A Power Controller 5 Switch
www.toolstatio...
13A SWITCHED FUSED SPUR CONNECTION UNIT METAL-CLAD
www.screwfix.c...
Doncaster Cables SWA Single Phase Armoured Cable 2.5mm2 x 3 Core x 25m
www.toolstatio...
Cable cleats:
www.screwfix.c...
EXTERNAL GLAND KIT 20S IP66 PACK OF 2
www.screwfix.c...
Outdoor Junction boxes:
www.screwfix.c...
Irwin Visegrip 10505498 Groove Joint Plier
UK: amzn.to/31oOLpW
US: amzn.to/2X0g7mD
Jovial by Peyruis / peyruis
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/2Co3eqk
Music promoted by Audio Library

[@UnfittedNoise]

The best video on KZbin , one video has explained everything to me and exactly what I need to do. Awesome work

[@SujMenon]

Glad it helped

[@KlusterYogo]

List of faults with installation; a) SWA not glanded correctly internally b) Improper use of a flat twin and earth cable for a plug-top c) No mechanical protection (e.g. use of grommets) for the *METAL* surface box used for the SFCU d) SWA cleats are the wrong way up (screws should be at the bottom) e) Nicked the CPC in the SWA with the knife f) Conductors are too long for the terminals g) That junction box is an abortion

[@toylander-builder]

I would also add that: 1. 1.5mm2 conductors would be better doubled over where there is only 1 conductor per terminal (fused spur & double socket). 2. I would leave a little more length on the conductors in your accessories and "dress" them into the boxes. If they ever need trimming back due to damage you will not have any spare length (fused spur & double socket). 3. It would be better to remove the brown insulation from your earth flyleads before sleeving. 4. Drilling out the drain holes in your IP66 accessories drops their rating to IP54. as stated in the products installation instructions. 5. If you insist on doing your own electrical installations please buy some proper test equipment, a power tool may "work" on your new installation but it is by NO means a substitute for correct testing. A power tool will still run with Live/Neutral polarity reversed and/or a missing/poor earth. With your "wire it & fire it" installation practices you might only discover a poor/missing earth when you or a family member becomes the electrical fault path for a faulty appliance. Just because a socket "works" does not mean that the wiring is "perfect". Is there sufficiently low earth loop impedance to trip the circuits protective device? What are the properties earthing arrangments? Perhaps pay a qualified electrician to test your installation to ensure its safe? Even some thing as simple as this device (though no substitute for correct testing by a qualified electrician) would be better than your "power tool" test. www.screwfix.com/p/lap-k810-ac-voltage-detector-pen-socket-tester-twin-pack/5449h Please get your electrical work tested by someone qualified, it shouldn't cost much for an electrician to run a few electrical saftey tests to ensure you & your familys safety. Good luck on your future projects.

[@stephenpeacock2627]

That junction box is lethal, a right bodge job. Cutting the cable with a Stanley knife, you should thoroughly check the cable for damage. It’s better to use flexible cable. I hate twin and earth, especially 2.5mm or more as it’s a nightmare to work with. It would’ve been better to get armoured cable and put it at the bottom out the brickwork or bury it, that cable high up on the brickwork looks ugly. Use a small manual screwdriver to open up the screw holes, a drill might shatter it.

[@lcutz9854]

SWA cable cleats are designed as a horizontal hanging support, so fixings should be at the top... With the cleats turned and fixed at the bottom, you generally find that over a short time, the weight of the cable pulls the up-right cleat flats away from the wall. The bigger and heavier the cable, the more pronounced this affect will be. Agree with everything else though 👍

[@IAmThe_RA]

Plus insufficient slack given that there's plenty of space behind the socket.

[@philippe393]

Suj, thanks for uploading this video. For a beginner such as myself, this was very well explained and well filmed. Thanks!

[@swwolf3640]

I have to say... the best, easy to follow, complete how to wire to date. Many thanks. Can do now and ask my Sparky pal to check it. Cheers. And during this time, Stay Safe

[@d34nr2k8]

You shouldn’t be powering a socket from 1.5mm cable! Also why did you use a SWA gland on the outside but not on the inside on the fused spur? Its just hanging in the switch box loose!

[@davidtimperley4241]

This install does not meet Building Regs. There are a host of DIY faults on the installation and there has been NO testing on the Earth continuity etc, just because a piece of electrical equipment works when you switch it on does NOT mean the system is safe, also no mention of the total load on the install . Considering the incorrect use of twin and earth that is unglanded and looks to be only (1mm T & E rated at 10 amps ) and then connected to a 13amp plug, means that connecting piece is overloaded. There is no mention of the sizing of the SWA cable . DIYers you are on longer allowed by law to do this type of work.

[@robhills9769]

Not quite true. They can if they apply for building regulation approval and the installation will then be monitored and checked by the local authority who would normally sub the inspection work out.

[@54mrbola]

Great video. Very patient while explaining!

[@triplerjm2353]

👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿thank you so much for providing us this video and I have struggled big time for the past 2days trying to fix garden lights, outdoor sockets and pond.

[@suewikinson4564]

Excellent video, just what I needed… thank you!

[@cmdllb]

There’s a few negative comments on here as well as a few positive. What I liked was that he kept it down to earth. 👍🏻

[@whatsintheboxsurprise6198]

Thank you for all the effort of recording your work and explanation plus diagrams.

[@ph111hud0]

what a great video, this is superb, thank you sir.

[@ArcanePath360]

Is it really necessary to have armoured cable on the outside of house above ground? It's really meant for below ground I thought. I would have guessed that using plastic conduit with twin and earth was the correct way to go, but having said that, the regular conduit gland might let water in mounted from the top.

[@ArcanePath360]

@@SujMenon Thanks.

[@johnystrange665]

ArcanePath360 wiring outside should always be in SWA cable. No reason why SWA cable cannot be used above ground as long as it’s safe and routed away from any possible damage, the cable itself is UV stable. When you bury cable there are other regulations and depths to consider. Suj this is a very nice job and I’ve seen some terrible work from non-electricians on YT but you have taken some very good advice which is to your credit.

[@ArcanePath360]

@@johnystrange665 Yeah, I've seen people rig up the grey twin and Earth outside, (which isn't UV protected) and not even use conduit. In fact my neigbour had it hanging in mid air from his house to his shed like a washing line a few years back. His shed caught fire one night and it was bad. 5 houses paid the price, if this is what caused the fire (it was never officially determined) so these things do happen. Lucky it woke me up and I tackled it with my hosepipe to stop it reaching my house while we waited for the fire brigade. I guess SWA is the safe way, however I do have thick flex in places going to some outside floodlights, but they are covered from the sun and weather.

[@ABESuperKiteDay]

Hi, can I connect a 3kw pool heater and 13amp sand filter to a double switch socket then have a 3core 1.5mm flex 20m cable with gland going into the house through the wall into a house socket with a timer?

[@SujMenon]

Assuming you have 220v, i think not. You would need minimum 15amp circuit (220×15=3300). And probably 4mm cable.

[@ABESuperKiteDay]

@@SujMenon but both my pool pump and electric heater are only 13amps. I really need advice on this.

[@ABESuperKiteDay]

@@SujMenon I will protect it with conduit PVC too. But it's just plugging into a wall socket indoors.

[@SujMenon]

Hi there, the maximum load for a usual UK plug socket is 3000 watts (13 Amps). You could get away with your heater, provided nothing else is connected, and the heater isnt set on the max power, and the run of the cable isn't long. But again, I am just a guy on the internet, so consider getting professional advice, as this setup is really on the very limit.

[@ABESuperKiteDay]

@@SujMenon we got an electrician. Installed 2.5mm Steel Wire Armoured cable. Getting it wired to our consumer unit next. Be safe not sorry. 😎👍

[@Daniel-Condurachi]

very nice work you did. Just a small comment, but coming too late... why didn't you put the cable underground around the wall of the house, digging a bit, and having the cable in a metal tube or other tubing. You would have run the cable where you need it without "decorating" your house walls

[@TheGorillahands]

Why put swa in a metal tube? The whole idea of swa is that it is armoured, also you say "digging a bit" swa is buried at a depth of 600mm in ground that may be disturbed or around 450mm if not so likely to be disturbed, I'd say that is more than just digging a bit 🙄

[@bartosullivan8050]

Thank you for posting.

[@elitegaming-brawlstars2459]

amazing job on your video as always

[@EddieKumarShrivastava2]

Great video. Thank you.

[@kaneknight657]

Hoping for a reply! How did you earth the armour on the SWA in the multi switch? Or do you not have to?

[@SujMenon]

The armour is connected to the swa gland. And that in turn is connected inside to the earth loop.

[@Craigo5000]

Quick question. How are you going to run all the cabling from the switch box to their respective places?

[@Craigo5000]

Suj Menon you’ll have to do an update video. I’d be interested to see the pond pumping and lit. 👍

[@ashik4317]

Yes I would like to see how you powered your lighting from switch box and also how you powered your pond pump

[@SujMenon]

Ashik, Deck lighting part of that, is there towards the middle or so of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/enXXZI1qo9aJodk Pond video hasn't been edited it, but will be out later.

[@garmar8329]

Really helpful and informative. A great illustration - much appreciated 👍

[@MakeThings]

I’ve actually been thinking of doing this...I keep having problems with an outlet. Thanks!

[@Craigo5000]

Great video - very concise!

[@Pal_Nahal]

Cheers for the video buddy, well explained and gave me all the information I needed. I can now crack on with my outdoor project.

[@kulomen]

This video is for people that want to get hurt and do a bodge job. That kind of DIY would be classed as unsafe by any inspector. Not listing faults as it would encourage unskilled people to attempt electrical instalation

[@_tmmy_]

This installation clearly doesn't meet the building regs and I was shocked to see what looks to be 1mm twin and earth (rated 10A) wired to the end of a 13A plug which means that it's overloaded! The 13A fused unit should have been spurred from the existing socket and glanded properly. There were no grommets or any kind of protection for the T&E which means that if the cable gets damaged it will short against the metal box. I also didn't think it was necessary to install SWA unless he was going to bury it underground - should have just ran T&E in some trunking instead!!

[@ricklyon2057]

@@_tmmy_ i would have put it straight to fuse box to narrow down errors in future

[@jameswburke]

Very good, thorough work. Thanks ;-)

[@paulj7017]

Awesome great job i want to do something similar, Could i spur of a fused socket i have at the rear of my house its what the washing machine is plugged into?? Regards

[@alanbell5345]

If you dont want to give wrong advice, why are you posting this video......... you're an idiot, and should be leaving electrics to professionals that wouldn't have to guess

[@triplerjm2353]

I will go back to the job with a good understanding now, I am a beginner just been on the trade for 7months Takeway 3months of COVID19 I have basically been doing this for 4 months,

[@1974mdavid]

Great video mate

[@GraingerElectrical]

Excellent video! Where did you get the junction box, socket and switch from?

[@ricklyon2057]

why not put this to fuse box rather than using a 13 amp plug

[@SujMenon]

tbh, that's above my competence level. 13a plug is easier in case there is an issue anywhere in the wiring. It will anyway get its own rcbo at a later point in time when that whole area (garages/outdoor) is re-wired.

[@charles29cc]

Great video mate thanks

[@Shahid7127]

Wall Done Mate

[@SujMenon]

Thanks 👍

[@ElectroStroyPyatigorsk]

What is the brand of cable?

[@SujMenon]

SWA Cables made by Doncaster cables from Toolstation. get 4mm ones

[@ElectroStroyPyatigorsk]

It is made of PVC, but it is not resistant to UV, our cable, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, must be laid in a corrugation, mainly HDPE.

[@johne5854]

Very informative video.

[@JoeyLifeShare]

expensive project. maybe overkill for this small garden project. :)