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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> Outside Lights https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1160772311 Message started by Bob on Oct 13^th, 2006, 9:45pm

Title: Outside Lights
Post by Bob on Oct 13^th, 2006, 9:45pm

Evening all,
quick question should outside lights go on the RCD side of the CU? I'm thinking yes they should as they are outside but the other augument is what happens if you are surrounded by running chainsaws and bear traps of an evening and the lights go out? :-D [smiley=shocked2.gif]

Title: Re: Outside Lights
Post by plugwash on Oct 13^th, 2006, 10:58pm

btw what is reccomended for fairgrounds and similar is to split lighting that is accessible to interference by members of the public into at least two groups put on seperate RCDs. this seems like the ideal soloution though possiblly overkill.

Title: Re: Outside Lights
Post by Lectrician on Oct 14^th, 2006, 8:32am

There is not specific requirement to RCD Protect outside lighting on a TN system.

Title: Re: Outside Lights
Post by Bob on Oct 18^th, 2006, 8:16pm

I'm on a TT earthing system, make any difference?

Title: Re: Outside Lights
Post by scotspark on Oct 18^th, 2006, 8:53pm

then the entire installation should be protected by a type s time delayed rcd

Title: Re: Outside Lights
Post by Bob on Oct 18^th, 2006, 9:34pm

scotspark wrote on Oct 18^th, 2006, 8:53pm:

then the entire installation should be protected by a type s time delayed rcd

Everything is on a 100mA RCD, then there is a 30mA RCD in the splitload CU. So does your answer mean it's not worth bothering about putting the outside lights on the 30mA side?

Title: Re: Outside Lights
Post by sparkyjonny on Oct 19^th, 2006, 3:37pm

No - it's not necessary. You would if they're garden / post lights etc, but for standard lanterns/bulkheads/floods mounted on the house wall then no.

Title: Re: Outside Lights
Post by Lectrician on Oct 19^th, 2006, 3:40pm

I wouldn't bother with 30mA protection on posts/columns or any other light remote from the house either :-/

Title: Re: Outside Lights
Post by sparkyjonny on Oct 19^th, 2006, 7:27pm

Depends on whether they're vunerable to traffic, like the small bollards i guess. Would like a seperate RCD though, not shared with half the house.