Driveover lighting - How to install driveover lights

[emidgley]

Hi,

I think I've got most aspects of the drive I intend to build nailed down, thanks to the invaluable information on this site. The one remaining piece of the jigsaw is that I intend to install some driveover lights in the drive, I've sourced the lights, but I can't find any "best practise" information regarding how I incorporate these into the drive, anyone got any advice. The lights BTW are these.



Driveover lights

[Tony McC]

I did consider creating an installation guide for pavement lights, but I was advised by a colleague that it wasn't a good idea for a non-professional to publish tips and advice on messing around with electrickery, that's why the Lighting page is more a review of what's available rather than a "how to..."

One company did promise to provide me withn a 'How To' that could be published in their name, but it never arrived. Now that I've a bit more time, I'll chase them up and see if they are still interested.

Meanwhile all I can suggest is that you consult a suitably qualified Sparky.

[simeonronacrete]

There's a professional organisation called CEDIA, see CEDIA

Their members have the knowhow - and more!

Simeon

[emidgley]

I know how to do all the sparky bit's. The lights in question are SELV's (Separated Extra Low voltage) so are suitable even for complete immersion. What I was really after was installation of the physical units themselves, i.e. how I put the units in, and make sure they stay in.

Thanks for the reply though.

[Tony McC]

Installation of the paving units within the pavement or installation of the lighting units into the paving blocks?

To install the paving units once the lights are in place, bed them onto mortar or concrete. Similarly if these are stand-alone, rather than block-fitted lights: bed the complete unit onto concrete.

[emidgley]

No, a completely new installation from scratch. i.e. no blocks down, no cables ,no nothing ..... yet.

[ABILITY]

If you are looking at the drive over lamps rather than the s/steel ones, then they are a two part unit, the outer case is installed in concete, with the blocks cut to fit, or core drilled if you want a very tidy job.

The base needs to have gravel drainage underneath and cable tails installed prior to rest of drive.

The light unit then connects to the cable and slots into the outer case, fixing with screws.

Think you will find these are mains volt units

Don't forget all external sparks work, even extra low voltage. now covered by Part P. Thus will need certified sparky or test by B.Control to issue Cert.

[emidgley]

Thanks, yeah I'd forgotten about part P. Fortunately I started the job last year :;): OK, thanks for the advice, I think I know how I'll tackle it now. At least I think I do, no doubt I'll be back. The units are 24v DC.

Once again, thanks for all the excellent advice.

I'll post some photos. when I finally get round to the job.

[clive]

On first reading part P does cover quite clearly the installation of domestic lighting schemes, pond pumps and other external electrical work in the garden. Having discussed this with my local building control office, The NIEIC and the Office of the deputy prime minister, there is a work around. The regulations as currently implemented relate to fixed installations. If the supply is terminated at a suitable 13amp external socket witch has been installed by a qualified electrician and a certificate has been issued for that installation (Post 1st Jan 2005). Any installation plugged in to that socket that complies with BS7671 (IEE Wiring Regulations 16th Edition) is currently not notifiable. All this, as with any building regulation would be subject to the interpretation and agreement of your local building control office.
This method of installation has been our practice for some time as it allows the equipment to be unplugged for servicing, replacement etc. with the minimum of fuss and still maintain a high degree of safety.
As the use of electrical equipment in the garden will inevitably increase in the future, hopefully the installation of regularly spaced sockets throughout the garden will become the norm as it is in the house (well some times).


http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellen....628&l=2

http://www.iee.org/Publish/WireRegs/PartP.cfm

[emidgley]

The lights are 24v DC drawing about 1.2w per unit and are suitable for total immersion. The transformer will be situated inside and will be driven from a 3 amp FCU, which in turn runs off the RCD protected side of the split load CU. The cable itself will be run in solvent welded PVC conduit. All I can say about part P is I'm sure it's well intentioned, but c'mon.

Good job I installed the preliminary work last year

[emidgley]

I did consider creating an installation guide for pavement lights, but I was advised by a colleague that it wasn't a good idea for a non-professional to publish tips and advice on messing around with electrickery, that's why the Lighting page is more a review of what's available rather than a "how to..."

One company did promise to provide me withn a 'How To' that could be published in their name, but it never arrived. Now that I've a bit more time, I'll chase them up and see if they are still interested.

Meanwhile all I can suggest is that you consult a suitably qualified Sparky.

Did you ever manage to chase these people up? I reckon a section on this would be invaluable. I don't even think you need to include anything regarding the actual wiring up of the lights, simply concentrate on how best to physically install them in, say, a block paving drive way.

[ban-all-sheds]

I did consider creating an installation guide for pavement lights, but I was advised by a colleague that it wasn't a good idea for a non-professional to publish tips and advice on messing around with electrickery, that's why the Lighting page is more a review of what's available rather than a "how to..."

I reckon a section on this would be invaluable. I don't even think you need to include anything regarding the actual wiring up of the lights, simply concentrate on how best to physically install them in, say, a block paving drive way.

Not right, I guess, for the first post of a newbie to argue, but as I joined here just to find out this info....

I would vote for having as much information as possible here, for the following reasons:

1) DIY electrical work, anywhere, including outside is not illegal - there is the perfectly valid route of notifying LABC and having it inspected, and the more info that someone has the more likely they will succeed in passing the inspection. Also, the more information they have the safer their work will be, whether they decide to abide by the law or not, and those who are minded not to are unlikely to be put off by a "we won't tell you because you shouldn't mess with electricity" approach - they will do it anyway and may put themselves or others at risk.

I always like the analogy of providing, or not, sex advice and contraception to under-16s. Not doing so does not stop them having sex, it just puts up the rate of STDs and teenage pregnancies....

2) For those people who shouldnt be DIY-ing because they are just too incompetent, a detailed description of all the things to do and consider might put them off. You'd be surprised (or maybe not) at the things people do, not just because they don't know, but because they don't even realise that they don't know.

[steve r]

I'm confused.
The poster says " I know how to do all the sparky bit's" , that leaves the physical installation of the lamps.
Both Tony and Ability have posted details of how to install them into his drive.
So what is the question?

BOS I agree with your statements and your analogy but this is a paving forum.
You're not a trojan horse are you?

[ban-all-sheds]

Nope

[emidgley]

No, but BAS needs to go back to DIYNOT, where he belongs :p Good to see you on a different forum M8


BTW, drive is laid, lights are in, thanks to both this forum and DIYNOT, I even think you, BAS, may have contributed to the original discussion. :O