​​​Installing outdoor electricity
If you want to use lighting or wall sockets in the garden, it is necessary to install outdoor electricity. Outdoor electricity can be used for outdoor lighting, automatic irrigation, electrical appliances with a plug or for water features. When installing outdoor electricity, you must take safety, rules and regulations into account. This article explains step by step how to install and connect each part of outdoor electricity.
Please note: installing outdoor electricity yourself can be difficult. Consult an installer to do this if you are unsure about this. Better save, then sorry!
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Safety​
Before you start work, make sure that everything is voltage-free by switching the main switch or at least the circuit breaker of the group you are going to work on. You can only carry out work on the outdoor electrical system with the right tools, but that of course counts for every job. For this job, you need a ground cable, stainless steel screws, plugs, welding clamps and clamp brackets as basic materials. You also need a hostalite tube to protect the cable. Depending on which outdoor lighting or electrical system you are going to install, you will need garden lights and/or cable boxes and/or outdoor switches and/or waterproof wall sockets. The following tools are often required for installation: impact drill/hammer drill, insulated stripping pliers, side cutters, a shovel, a screwdriver and always a voltage detector.
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Protection class
When installing outdoor electricity, you need to take a number of things into account. It is necessary to use material that has the correct protection class (IP value). Switching and installation material for outdoor use must have a protection class of at least IP44. There are many different IP values, each with their own characteristics. Below you can see which IP value offers which protection.​
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Ground cables
​Ground cables are equipped with an earth screen. Ground cables must comply with certain safety regulations. Cables with an earth screen can be recognised by the code ‘as’ (example: 2 x 2.5 mm² YMvK-as cable). Cables with an earth screen are safer than cables without an earth screen. If you accidentally touch ‘as’ cables in the ground while digging, only the earth leakage circuit breaker in the meter cupboard will trip. You yourself will not become live, which can be the case with cables without an earth screen. Do you only want to connect a ground cable? Read all about it in the article: Connecting a ground cable. An earth wire is part of a ground cable.
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​Distribution box
Connecting outdoor electricity to the fuse box must be done safely. Certain rules and regulations must be adhered to. For outdoor electricity, it is recommended to install or use a separate earth leakage circuit breaker in the fuse box. Additional information about an earth leakage circuit breaker, which component you need or want to know more about installing an earth leakage circuit breaker? Read everything in the article: Connecting an earth leakage circuit breaker. Do you want more information about the application and connection of an earth leakage circuit breaker? Read everything in the article: What is an earth leakage circuit breaker.
Please note: installing (additional) groups yourself can be difficult. Consult an installer to have this done if you are unsure about this.
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Drawing a plan​
​It is wise to make a plan before installing outdoor electricity of how it will be exactly and what you want. You can make a technical drawing with connection diagrams if this helps you to get an idea of ​​how the electricity should run through the garden. When you are finally finished with your outdoor electricity, it is important to draw where all the cables are in the ground. Then you know for sure that you do not damage anything when you start digging in the garden.
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Type of lighting
You can choose from three types of outdoor lighting: mains voltage lighting (230V), low voltage lighting (12/24V) and solar lighting. LED ground spots, surface-mounted outdoor lighting, string lights, solar garden lighting and LED construction lights are some examples. Would you like more information about string lights and connecting a matching string cable? Read all about it in the article: Make your own string cable.
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- With mains voltage lighting (230V) you can ensure that you can completely illuminate a dark garden. This has a high light intensity and you have the option to dim the light. Mains voltage lighting is especially suitable for completely illuminating a terrace, driveway or, for example, a large tree.
Note: It is important that the ground cable is at least 60 centimetres deep in the ground when using mains voltage.
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- With low-voltage lighting (12/24V) you ensure that the garden becomes atmospheric. This lighting can often be dimmed. Low-voltage lighting has the advantage that it is safe and has low energy consumption. In addition, this lighting has a longer lifespan than lamps on mains voltage.
- With solar lighting you ensure, just like with low-voltage lighting, that the garden gets atmosphere. In addition, it can be used as orientation lighting. Because solar lighting works wirelessly, it is easier to install than mains voltage and low-voltage lighting. The disadvantage of solar lighting is that it has a lower light intensity, which means you only have limited lighting options.
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