How to fit an outside light

Outside lights can increase your security or create ambience when used decoratively. Here's a guide on fitting them to your home.

Level of difficulty

Level of difficulty

What you need

• Screwdriver
• Wire strippers
• Circuit tester
• Power drill
• Screws
• Pencil
• Wall plugs
• Electrical tape
• External light fittings

The steps to follow

Note:
If you’re intending to install outdoor lights, it is best if you purchase weatherproof lights from your local DIY store.

1. Turn off the mains power before you start the project.
2. Install the switch indoors. Reroute the cables for the light and switch over the wall and ceiling down into the interior of a room.
3. Before you touch any cables, test the circuit to see if power still flows in the cable with a circuit tester.
4. You'll need to drill a hole through the wall where you plan to fix your light to feed the cable through.
5. Install and connect the switch along with the junction boxes.

Fitting an outdoor light on a base plate

1. Place the base plate of the light fitting against the wall where you plan to fit it.
2. Mark the fixing holes on the wall and drill at these marks.
3. Insert a wall plug into the hole.
4. Thread the cable into the base plate.
5. Connect the blue and brown cables to the terminals.
6. Then connect the green and yellow cables to terminal E.
7. Secure the base plate to the wall.

Fitting an outdoor light on a bracket

1. Place the bracket against the wall and mark fixing holes.
2. Drill these fixing holes and insert wall plugs.
3. Thread the cable through into the bracket and connect the flex cores to the terminals. Connect the brown cable to the brown cable, blue to blue, and green/yellow to the green/ yellow cable.
4. Secure the light fitting to the wall.
5. Finish off by applying waterproof sealant around the base of the bracket.

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