Exterior Electrical Wiring

[petercsea]

Is there a section on exterior wiring suitable for use here?

To serve things like pumps, ligthing power access for tools etc?

Edited June 18, 2008 by petercsea

[Crossy]

Use common sense

Some suggestions:-

1. All outdoor cabling must be in conduit
   
2. Switches must be outdoor types or in outdoor enclosures (even if protected by the roof)
   
3. Outlets must have outdoor covers (even if protected by the roof)
   
4. Use proper fittings where conduit enters switch/outlet boxes (looks neater too)
   
5. make sure there is no access to your conduit for critters
   
6. All outdoor circuits must be protected by an ELCB
   

You can get a directly-buriable cable for the run to your remote pump, but regular cable can be used if it's in conduit. Bury it at least 300mm deep (deeper under cultivated areas) and put a yellow marker tape at 150mm (never seen it in thailand though ). Make sure any long runs are correctly sized to prevent excessive volt drop on starting. Protect the circuit with an ELCB.

Edited June 18, 2008 by Crossy

[petercsea]

Use common sense

Some suggestions:-

1. All outdoor cabling must be in conduit
   
2. Switches must be outdoor types or in outdoor enclosures (even if protected by the roof)
   
3. Outlets must have outdoor covers (even if protected by the roof)
   
4. Use proper fittings where conduit enters switch/outlet boxes (looks neater too)
   
5. make sure there is no access to your conduit for critters
   
6. All outdoor circuits must be protected by an ELCB
   

You can get a directly-buriable cable for the run to your remote pump, but regular cable can be used if it's in conduit. Bury it at least 300mm deep (deeper under cultivated areas) and put a yellow marker tape at 150mm (never seen it in thailand though ). Make sure any long runs are correctly sized to prevent excessive volt drop on starting. Protect the circuit with an ELCB.

That's great. Thnx Crossy

[dotcom]

If burying it is impractical I would suggest you run it as high off the ground as is practical.

As Crossy suggests just below the eaves is good to protect it from the rain. That Australian brand make lovely enclosures with flexible plastic covers to keep rain off of switches. Be sure to run grounds.

[petercsea]

If burying it is impractical I would suggest you run it as high off the ground as is practical.

As Crossy suggests just below the eaves is good to protect it from the rain. That Australian brand make lovely enclosures with flexible plastic covers to keep rain off of switches. Be sure to run grounds.

Thank you for that dotcom,

I thought of putting outlets in weather-proof boxes with silicone door seals. RCBO protected. Hadn't considered switches though. Would you say that an independent switch is important/obligatory for outdoor connections?

[Hssl]

VCT cable availabe in most core sizes 2/3/4/6/8 cores. Put it in pvc pipe the grey or yellow pipe is fine. Any joins / breakouts you should put into a box with glands at the cable entry / exit points. If you need to split the feed there's a german brand called 'wago' that make a brilliant clamp terminal - far better than terminal block. Btinco make IP rated outdoor switch / plug / socket housings.

[dotcom]

Clipsal is the brand I was trying to remember.

Yes I think installing a switch near the pump house is a good idea in case you want to do repairs. Cut the plug off the pump & hard wire it. Less chance of mositure getting in.

I have a 2 way system on mine. It can be started & stopped from either downstairs or upstairs. Wired up like a stairway light. 15 amp National switches.

If you head off to Home pro you will see a nice selection of Clipsal weatherproof enclosures. Top shelf.

[dotcom]

If you don't want to use a switch outside - put your pump on it's own breaker. Ditto hot water heater etc.

[petercsea]

VCT cable availabe in most core sizes 2/3/4/6/8 cores. Put it in pvc pipe the grey or yellow pipe is fine. Any joins / breakouts you should put into a box with glands at the cable entry / exit points. If you need to split the feed there's a german brand called 'wago' that make a brilliant clamp terminal - far better than terminal block. Btinco make IP rated outdoor switch / plug / socket housings.

Thanks HSSL,

The installtion of glands will be some new learning for me. Have used cable clamps and grommets for internal use previously but the outside stuff is new.

I'll hunt down "Btinco" products and look forward to some new good products.

[petercsea]

Clipsal is the brand I was trying to remember.

Yes I think installing a switch near the pump house is a good idea in case you want to do repairs. Cut the plug off the pump & hard wire it. Less chance of mositure getting in.

I have a 2 way system on mine. It can be started & stopped from either downstairs or upstairs. Wired up like a stairway light. 15 amp National switches.

If you head off to Home pro you will see a nice selection of Clipsal weatherproof enclosures. Top shelf.

Once again some good practical and sensible stuff. Certainly things I hadn't considered. Thanks dotcom

[Hssl]

Petercsea - Where in Thailand are you?

Home pro and the like are bloody expensive for things like VCT/Wago/Clipsal. If your in Pattaya go to

Porn chai next to the bus station pattaya nua road. Your save about 25% !

[petercsea]

Petercsea - Where in Thailand are you?

Home pro and the like are bloody expensive for things like VCT/Wago/Clipsal. If your in Pattaya go to

Porn chai next to the bus station pattaya nua road. Your save about 25% !

Thanks for the tip Hssl.

I've found an independant electrical retailer and I think that they will have access to the brands & prods you mention. Certainly have seen Clipsal and Thai Yazaki cables. HomePro a 100 Kms away so no real temptation.

[dotcom]

Glad we were able to be of assistance.

[dotcom]

Here's a splice I did on my 30,000 btu air con. The little wire is a ground.

Yamazaki sell a double insulated 3 core wire now. 2 x 2.5 & 1 x 1.5 for ground. Makes a nice installation.