Hello everyone,
Slowly but surely, we are starting to plan the irrigation and electrical setup, as well as the planting of our outdoor area.
I am especially uncertain about the electrical part and would like to know how to approach installing electrical wiring outdoors.
I have had my landscaper install two underground cables (3-core) in two different locations. These are connected to a permanent power supply.
The cables are currently lying in my yet-to-be-planted flower bed, waiting to be extended.
The plan is to route the cable from the current eastern area to the southern area (a 19-meter (62-foot) long hedge). We want to install a few spotlights there.
Therefore, the cable needs to be extended and split along this 19-meter (62-foot) length to connect several spotlights.
Since I have only basic knowledge of electrical work (connecting lamps) and have no idea how to handle outdoor electrical wiring properly, I’m reaching out to you here.
I’ve read about systems (not mentioning brand names here) that come with their own cables and spotlights, but those are too expensive for me...
How do I properly lay, extend, and split the electrical cable outdoors and connect it correctly and waterproof?
Slowly but surely, we are starting to plan the irrigation and electrical setup, as well as the planting of our outdoor area.
I am especially uncertain about the electrical part and would like to know how to approach installing electrical wiring outdoors.
I have had my landscaper install two underground cables (3-core) in two different locations. These are connected to a permanent power supply.
The cables are currently lying in my yet-to-be-planted flower bed, waiting to be extended.
The plan is to route the cable from the current eastern area to the southern area (a 19-meter (62-foot) long hedge). We want to install a few spotlights there.
Therefore, the cable needs to be extended and split along this 19-meter (62-foot) length to connect several spotlights.
Since I have only basic knowledge of electrical work (connecting lamps) and have no idea how to handle outdoor electrical wiring properly, I’m reaching out to you here.
I’ve read about systems (not mentioning brand names here) that come with their own cables and spotlights, but those are too expensive for me...
How do I properly lay, extend, and split the electrical cable outdoors and connect it correctly and waterproof?
Prager91 schrieb:
It certainly makes sense to connect the cable to a small distribution box with an RCD, right? From there, I could continue to a socket column or also connect something via smart home control. Then discuss this with a qualified electrician. I am an IT specialist (software and projects), but my father was an electrician. So I have learned quite a bit, even though officially many things are not allowed to be done by non-professionals. What I know is: if you install an RCD outdoors in addition to the one already installed inside the house, it is not necessarily guaranteed that the outdoor RCD will trip first in case of a fault. This depends on the tripping characteristics of both RCDs and becomes more complicated than a layperson can easily understand.
PS: At the point where the landscaper extended the line, the electrician might be able to rewire the five-core cable differently so that the switch inside would be usable — assuming that this junction or extension can be accessed.
houser schrieb:
Then clarify that with a qualified electrician. I am an IT specialist (software and projects), but my father was an electrician. So I have learned quite a bit, even though officially many things should not be done by non-professionals. What I do know is: If you install an RCD outdoors behind the one already existing inside the house, it is not necessarily guaranteed that it will trip first in case of a fault. That depends on the response characteristics of both RCDs, which can be more complicated than laypersons might understand.
PS: At the point where the gardener extended the cable, the electrician might possibly reconfigure the 5-core cable differently so that the switch indoors could be used. Provided, of course, that this junction/extension can be accessed.Indoors, I have a regular switch connected via a 5-core cable supplying constant power. This continues outside via an underground cable, which is then extended and routed under the patio with a 3-core cable. Therefore, it is no longer possible to use a 5-core cable in the outdoor section because the cable runs beneath the patio.
However, my idea—if it’s feasible—is this:
Remove the toggle switch indoors and connect a smart home or timer control.
Outdoors, simply extend the 3-core cable through a waterproof junction box or distribution box and connect this to the lamps. That way, I could control the lights from indoors using a timer or smart home system—all together, of course. This should work, or am I missing something?
O
Oberhäslich27 Feb 2024 13:52Install a Shelly with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth inside the switch. You can then control it smartly based on schedules or weather, or also via a push button. However, this will switch everything on or off. You only need to extend the wiring.
You can’t run five separate cables outside if you still have a garage, bungalow, carport, gate, garden, pool, etc. I will also only run two cables outside: one for the outdoor lighting/driveway and one to the carport with 10mm² (about 8 AWG), where a sub-distribution board will be installed for the bungalow, garage, and cistern. From the garage, there will be another sub-distribution board for the backyard and outdoor sockets. With a cable length of 50 meters (about 55 yards) from the house, there is simply no other way. A residual current device / circuit breaker (RCD / MCB) will be installed in the sub-distribution panel.
You can’t run five separate cables outside if you still have a garage, bungalow, carport, gate, garden, pool, etc. I will also only run two cables outside: one for the outdoor lighting/driveway and one to the carport with 10mm² (about 8 AWG), where a sub-distribution board will be installed for the bungalow, garage, and cistern. From the garage, there will be another sub-distribution board for the backyard and outdoor sockets. With a cable length of 50 meters (about 55 yards) from the house, there is simply no other way. A residual current device / circuit breaker (RCD / MCB) will be installed in the sub-distribution panel.
Oberhäslich schrieb:
Install a Shelly with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth inside at the switch. You can then control it smartly based on schedules or weather, or manually via a button. However, this will only allow on/off control. You just need to extend the cable.
You can't really run 5 cables outside when you still have a garage, bungalow, carport, gate, garden, pool, etc. I will also only run 2 cables outside: one for the outdoor lighting/driveway and one to the carport with 10mm² (12 AWG), where a sub-distribution board will then serve the bungalow/garage/cistern, and from the garage another sub-distribution for the backyard/outdoor sockets. This is actually the only way with 50m (164 feet) cable length from the house. An RCD/MCB will be installed in the sub-distribution board. Then I was right—got it, thanks for the info.
The only issue is with the RCD... In our case, it’s switched together with the living room. If the cable is in water, it doesn’t help that the switch is off—the RCD will still trip. I’m a bit concerned this could eventually happen over time. Once everything outside is nicely connected and wired, it would be a real challenge to track down.
Would it be possible for the electrician to take this cable from the RCD in the distribution board and connect it separately using its own RCD?
O
Oberhäslich27 Feb 2024 15:35You mentioned that your outdoor light/outlet is connected through the living room. I don’t think that’s correct, because that would mean someone just tapped off an outlet somewhere in the living room. Are you sure about that? You should double-check whether it has its own dedicated circuit breaker...
Another option is that an electrician drills through the concrete slab and runs a separately protected 5x2.5mm² (5-core 14 AWG) cable, or better yet a 6mm² (6-core 10 AWG) cable, outside. Maybe you’ll need a wall box (EV charger) in a few years...
Or you could install a small distribution box at the end of the circuit with an RCD (residual current device), and feed the garden/lights from there. Nothing should be connected between the indoor switch and the distribution box.
Another option is that an electrician drills through the concrete slab and runs a separately protected 5x2.5mm² (5-core 14 AWG) cable, or better yet a 6mm² (6-core 10 AWG) cable, outside. Maybe you’ll need a wall box (EV charger) in a few years...
Or you could install a small distribution box at the end of the circuit with an RCD (residual current device), and feed the garden/lights from there. Nothing should be connected between the indoor switch and the distribution box.
X
xMisterDx28 Feb 2024 21:07Prager91 schrieb:
(...)
Since my experience with electrical work is limited to basic tasks like connecting lamps, and I currently have no idea how to install electrical wiring outdoors, I am reaching out to you for advice.
(...)Then please don’t attempt it yourself and hire a qualified professional who is authorized to do this.
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